Boston Celtics and Shaquille O’Neal on the hunt for another title
Shaquille O’Neal, one of the big names in NBA, after revealing that he would be playing as a Celtic player now, held is final introductory press conference this Tuesday. Neal has clearly indicating his desire to compete with the likes of Bill Russell. Although Shaq added that he may not manage to equal Russell on his 11-time title record but he would surely try to make it half-way. The giant player was really excited and all ready to start as a Boston Celtics player in the upcoming season.
Shaq has already bagged four titles so far and will be looking forward to improve on that. Neal will surely be inducted in the Hall of Fame with a doubt. For now he has signed a two-year minimum deal with the Boston Celtics, and is looking to win some more silverware with the Eastern Champions, making it into the NBA finals and winning it.
Talking about the new nickname the big player got, “Big Shamrock” said that he feels that his kids would adopt the accent here and expressed his delight of his kids. The hospitality that Boston has given him, he will surely try his utmost to deliver the team good results and ultimately a championship or two.
When Big Shamrock was questioned about his expectations for the upcoming season, Boston Celtic player replied in a very serious voice saying that if he didn’t want more championships he wouldn’t have been here. Shaq added that he doesn’t like wasting his or others time and at the end of the day no matter whatever you do, you want to come out on the top and win. And this is what Shaq is intending to do and, as rumours are, would succeed in doing so.
The star-player wanted his last introductory conference to be special and this was the reason Kevin Garnett had come back from Hawaii to be with him. There was a lot of press and reporters present at the conference to make headlines with 38-years old centre. The player also revealed that Shaq would be paid about 1.3 million dollars per year during his time with the Boston Celtics.
The former MVP and four-times NBA champion, now weighing 345-pounds joined the Celtics after an unsuccessful period at Cleveland. Many thought that Shaq might be the missing piece LeBron James needed to win the NBA title but this wasn’t the case. Big Shamrocks average of 12 points and 6.7 rebounds not only summed up title hopes for the Cavs but also for the future Hall of Fame. Now a Celtic player, Neil was injured during the Celtics game last season, which ruled him out for two months, and said that now he is fit and all ready to take on any challenge.
The Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said that Shaq is undoubtedly one of the best players in the NBA. However, due to his injury the Celtics don’t expect him to come up with the performance that he used to but that they would surely be looking him to contribute off the bench.
With this came the news of Rasheed Wallace officially packing up his sports bag. To add to the gossip the news of Perkins out of the play is all around; the injury Kendrick Perkins sustained to his knee during Game 6 of NBA finals still rules the star Celtics player out for a couple of games. With Shaq in the team some experts argue that a championship title may not be possible, while some firmly believe in the presence of Neil as a ticket to the top.
Team building is a continuous phenomenon when it comes to NBA. However, Celtics legacy should not be forgotten. Celtics won their record 17th title in 2008 only to lose this year’s final. The Celtics have come up with signings of top-notch players like Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. And with an iron-will and sheer determination that Shaq has, the Celtics are without a doubt on road for an 18th title this season.
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