Shaquille O’Neal: NBA Legend, Entertainer, Newest Boston Celtic

A press conference was held Tuesday, making it official that Shaquille “Shaq, Shaq Fu, The Big Twitterer , Manny Shaq-iaou, The Big Deporter, Wilt Chamberneazy, The Big eQuotatious, The Big Maravich, M.D.E (Most Dominant Ever), The Big Baryshnikov, The Big Agave, The Big Galactus, The Real Deal, Witness Protection, Diesel, Shaq Daddy, The Big Felon, The Big Field General, Shaqovic, The Big IPO, Shaq-tus, L.C.L .(Last Center Left), Dr. Shaq, Osama Bin Shaq, The Big Banana, The Big Aristotle” O’Neal has signed with the Boston Celtics.  This news could not have made me happier. 

Red Auershaq with his Number 36 Jersey

As I mentioned in a previous post about sports nicknames, I spent my sports-loving youth in the ‘90s which is of course a great contributor in my adoration for Shaq Diesel. He won me over, along with the rest of America, as the most dominant center in the NBA for that entire decade, slamming on fools, rapping, and starring in movies.  Now in the 19^th season of his Hall of Fame NBA career, The Big Nickname is taking on a new role for his 6^th team. This role will most likely be a limited one compared to his previous 18 years, but it appears to be one his is willing to take. Assumedly he will be coming off the bench for Jermaine O’Neal until Perkins is back to full health, but I still would not be surprised if Shaq wins the starting spot in the Pre-Season. The response to this signing has been mostly positive, but there have definitely been some skeptics.

Most critics of this signing warn fans that the Celtics aren’t getting the Shaq of old, but we are getting an old Shaq who doesn’t have the dominant skill he once had. To those critics, I say ‘we know’. The people who are excited about this trade know exactly what the Celtics are getting. We know that the Celtics aren’t getting the Shaq that averaged 30 points and 14 rebounds while playing 40 minutes per game. We also know that we are getting a useful and needed big body, at a minimum salary, who averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds while playing 23 minutes per game last season. Shaq will provide the Celtics with much needed help on the glass, which was a glaring weakness in last season’s playoff run.  And despite the fact that he has never really been known for his defense, his massive size can help clog the lane and force teams like the Miami Heat to take lower percentage shots from the perimeter. 

Shaq in his starring role as Kazaam

Outside of the world of basketball, Shaq is a great acquisition, for the fans. This guy is just a pure entertainer.  In his 19 NBA seasons he has released 5 studio albums as a rapper, acted in 11 movies (3 of which he starred in), starred in a fighting video game (Shaq Fu), became a police officer, and is currently the star of his own TV show (Shaq Vs.).  This means that at the very least O’Neal’s time in Boston will be entertaining. I am excited for The Big Shamrock for all these reasons and more. Besides, I am sure he will give me plenty to write about.



I will leave you with this great music video: