After a disappointing NBA Finals game 7 loss to their bitter-rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics had much to talk about going into the off-season. One of those hot topics was the team’s interior presence. This discussion was brought up by a late series injury suffered by Kendrick Perkins. Perkins, the Celtics starting center, tore his anterior crucial ligament causing him to miss massive playing time in the last 2 games of the series.

As a result, the Celtics began addressing the issue in the off-season. The acquisition of Jermaine O’Neal will help. But it’s the other O’Neal that has the sports world buzzing. On August 4, the Celtics signed Shaquille O’Neal to a 2-year 2.8 million dollar deal. With all the variables he brings to the table, many have wondered: was signing Shaquille O’Neal a good move by the Celtics?

Why it’s Good

by Andrew Otovic

Welcome the Big Aristotle, the Diesel, Wilt Chamberneesy, Superman, Shaqtus, and the Big Cactus. Shaquille O’Neal is a great signing for the Celtics on many levels. He may not be the elite, dominant player he once was, but he is serviceable enough to give twenty minutes and make a difference. He still commands double teams and can still rebound. Two things the Celtics desperately need. With Rasheed Wallace retiring and Perkins out until January, O’Neal will be asked to be a big contributor on defense.

Besides his diminishing, but solid skill set, O’Neal is also a walking comedy show. He is good for a solid 10-15 lines that will be on TV for weeks at a time. Even at 38 years old, Shaq still acts like he is 15. When he is on the court he is all business and will bring the best out of all his teammates. Off the court he’s a jokester who only tries to lighten the mood.

All in all, signing easily the best big man of the last thirty years for a meager $2.8MM, will only provide serious dividends for the Celtics. This is especially true considering no team wanted him. Plus, there’s always the motivation that comes from Kobe Bryant’s latest statement, “I now have one more than Shaq.”

Why it’s Not

by Sebastian Lena

Unless the Boston Celtics have discovered the secrets of time travel, the acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal will only have Celtics fans shaking their heads by the end of the 2010-2011 season. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at the numbers.

At 38, O’Neal is only a shadow of his former self. Since the 2005-2006 season, when he helped the Heat claim the NBA title, O’Neal hasn’t averaged more than 20 points per game in a season. In fact, not only his scoring, but his rebounding numbers have dwindled as well. Last year, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, O’Neal averaged career worst numbers in points (12.0), rebounds (6.7), and blocks (1.2). At this point, O’Neal’s lips move faster than his legs. Not a good sign with the wave of young athletic centers that have started to dominate the league.

Then there are the distractions O’Neal will bring to the Celtics locker room. After winning the NBA title last year, Kobe Bryant boasted about having more rings than his former teammate. Rumor has it that that press conference was the catalyst for this deal. If that won’t cause enough distractions inside the locker room, just last week news surfaced of a lawsuit accusing O’Neal of computer hacking and destroying evidence. The allegations accuse O’Neal of attempting to frame an employee by planting child pornography on his computer. Hardly the type of press the Celtics want to receive on their quest to make another trip to the NBA Finals.

Overall, O’Neal can still make jokes with the best of them. But the days where he could post up with the best of them are far behind him.