Shaquille O’Neal has signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics (currently 12-1 to win the NBA Championship). The move from Cleveland gives the big guy a supporting role on a team that could contend in the East in 2010/11. This is Shaq’s 6th team (Orlando, LA, Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland previously).
Over the last three seasons or so, the Boston Celtics have been arguably one of the best teams in the NBA as they have been able to dominate the competition with a defensive mindset and great team chemistry led by their big three in Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.
With addition of the big three and arguably one of the best point guards in the league in Rajon Rondo, the Celtics were able to win an NBA title back in 2008 and get back to the NBA Finals last season and take the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers to a full seven games. Even though they weren’t able to get the best of Kobe Bryant and company last season, Doc Rivers’ Celtics proved they are still a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.
One of the Boston Celtics biggest problems in the NBA Finals last season was dealing with the Los Angeles Lakers big men in the paint. With Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and banged up Andrew Bynum, the Lakers were able to get the edge on glass in four of the seven games in the NBA Finals and ultimately win their second straight NBA title as a result.
Coming into the NBA offseason, the Celtics addressed this lack of size in the paint by signing free agent Jermaine O’Neal, but they weren’t done there as they have improved their frontcourt even more after signing one of the most dominant big men of all-time in four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal.
Even though there were a lot of reports that Shaq might have been headed to the Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs or the Dallas Mavericks, the Big Aristotle has decided to sign with the defending Eastern Conference champions for the league minimum.
Not only is good move for Shaq as it gives him the best chance to win an NBA title before calling it a career, but it drastically improves the chances of the Boston Celtics being able to compete with teams like the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers next season.
NBA betting Odds to win an NBA title
Boston Celtics: 12 to1
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