14°c Overcast
13°c Variable cloudiness
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Shaq headed to elite Celtics' parquet floor
Shaquille O’Neal has changed the Big Three of the Boston Celtics into a Very Big Four. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES)
BOSTON -- Shaquille O'Neal has changed the Big Three of the Boston Celtics into a Very Big Four.
The 7-1, 325-pound centre in the twilight of a brilliant career is coming to the Eastern Conference champions, hoping to add to his four NBA titles.
O'Neal signed a two-year contract worth about US$3 million on Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said on condition of anonymity because no details were released.
This is where Shaq's colourful 20-season career will end if he completes his deal with Boston.
One of the NBA's most charismatic players will finish with a legendary franchise on the parquet floor beneath 17 championship banners and the retired numbers of Bill Russell, Larry Bird, John Havlicek and other NBA greats.
After receiving little interest from other teams, O'Neal will play on that floor with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, Boston's "Big Three" since Garnett and Allen arrived before the 2007-08 season.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 5, 2010 C2
More Basketball
- Back to Top
- Return to Basketball
More Basketball
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
Capsule preview of the NBA's conference finals
6:56 PM 0A capsule look at the NBA's conference finals:
___
WESTERN CONFERENCE
No. 2 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (58-24, 8-2) vs. No. 5 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES ...
Poll
Most Popular Basketball
- Serbian police say former Heat, Mavericks player Predrag Danilovic seriously injured in fight
- Mayor: Deal to sell Kings to Sacramento group has been signed
- After eliminating Warriors in 6 games, Spurs prepare to face Memphis in conference finals
- Late nights at gym likely to pay off for Indiana's Oladipo in NBA draft next month
- Bulls' Deng active but out of lineup, while injured Hinrich sidelined for Game 4 against Heat
- Spurs hold off Warriors 94-82 in Game 6, advance to Western Conference finals against Memphis
- Tony Parker, Spurs set to face Grizzlies in Western Conference finals
- Tyreke Evans leaves Sacramento Kings' game at Oklahoma City with strained quadriceps
- Sacramento or Seattle? Future of NBA's Kings could be decided soon
- Hill, West lead Pacers past Hawks 81-73; Indiana advances to 2nd round with 4-2 series win
- Olympiakos retains Euroleague title by recovering from 17-point deficit to beat Madrid 100-88
- Real Madrid upsets Barcelona 74-67, Olympiakos stuns CSKA 69-52 to reach Euroleague final
- Top prospect follows his heart
- James shrugs off flopping accusations as Heat try to go up 3-1 on Bulls in Eastern semifinals
- Grizzlies assistant coach Barry Hecker no longer with the team due to 'personal matter'
- Bulls' Rose not ruling out return this season; Deng out for Game 1, Wade back
- Warriors forward Harrison Barnes leaves playoff game with head injury
- Spurs hold off Warriors 94-82 in Game 6, advance to Western Conference finals against Memphis
- Column: Short-handed Bulls were most heartwarming tale of NBA post-season, but it's over.
- With chance to return to East finals, Heat back at home to host Bulls in Game 5
- Judge says auction house cannot sell Kobe Bryant's stuff yet as legal issues get complicated
- ESPN says it regrets that reporter described gay NBA player Collins as a sinner
- Jason Collins: Support after his decision to come out as gay NBA player has been 'incredible'
- 'Do me a solid' and free jailed American, Dennis Rodman asks North Korean leader in tweet
- Obama, Bill Clinton commend NBA player Collins on coming out as gay, offer support
- Real Madrid upsets Barcelona 74-67, Olympiakos stuns CSKA 69-52 to reach Euroleague final
- Olympiakos retains Euroleague title by recovering from 17-point deficit to beat Madrid 100-88
- MB Basketball hall of fame names new inductees
- LeBron James wins MVP for 4th time, 1 vote shy of being a unanimous selection
- Celtics talk about Collins' toughness, and laud ex-teammate's courage for coming out
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.