Boston Celtics Shaq Is The Perfect Fit
[picappgallerysingle id="3742944"]The Boston Celtics have one of the most under rated centers in basketball. The team has the Beast Kendrick Perkins manning the middle. Kendrick is a physical presence in the middle. Perkins is also a great help defender. His importance to the lineup was never felt more than when his injury forced his absence in games six and seven of the 2010 NBA Finals. The team could not recover from the loss of the Beast.
Knowing Perkins was out, meant Danny needed another large physical presence. The team had already signed Jermaine O’Neal to fill some of the void. However, the need was still there for a back up that was more like Perkins. Jermaine will do well due to his excellent help defense, but the team needs a big bruiser to combat guys like Dwight Howard and speedsters coming into the paint like LeBron and Kobe. Teams have to know that they will pay a price in the paint. There was only one man left that fit that bill. Shaq was the missing link.
Shaq is not the man from ten years ago and nor does he have to be. Shaq needs to be the man of last year. He needs to be a physical presence on the defensive end. He also needs to be effective in the paint on offense. He was both last year and should continue to be this year. The team around him is light years better than that Cleveland team. He will be getting great help on defense from guys like KG, Rondo, Delonte West, Paul Pierce, and a slew of others. All he has to do is use his long and wide frame to clog the middle. If a player drives the lane, make him pay the price. These are facets of Shaq’s game.
Offensively Shaq needs to hit six or seven of the 12 shots he will get. Seeing as how he will have the backup center to contend with, scoring should not be a problem. Playing at times with Rondo will give him even better looks. As far as him slowing the team down, forget it. This team does not run and will not start running. O’Neal is another option in a deadly half court attack. If the second unit is struggling, throw it in to the big fella for an easy duce.
The depth he provides is ridiculous. The team has Perkins, Jermaine, and Shaq for the second half. This is far better than last season. The team should be able to prevent burning Perkins out for the playoffs. If there is another injury, the depth will be there. Perkins being out last year taxed Rasheed Wallace too much. Sheldon Williams was awful in the Finals and incapable of minutes. This year three men shall easily carry the load.
Those that are laughing at this signing realize this; the Celtics have one of the deepest rosters at center. Miami is weak in the middle. Orlando can now be matched come playoff time. Shaq is a big part of that. So the dinosaur that is Shaq is a great pick up and better than 90 percent of the backups in the game. This means at least one problem from last year is no longer a problem. This is the kind of problem that solves championship issues. Welcome aboard Shaq.
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I’m so sick of hearing about Shaq and the pick and roll as well as those dudes from South Beach.Say what you will about Shaq,but he is still the man.Young or old I still believe that the C’s are the best team in the NBA win or lose.Shaq only makes them bigger and better.This without a doubt the best team ever assembled in the NBA.I worry if Doc will be able to control all of these egos and keep everyone happy.Lets all pray the that injuries will be minor through out year.
I agree
how come you dont mention the lakers in there? You say boston is deeper that the teams in the east—-but the lakers are all that matter