Shaquille O’Neal will not be retiring just yet; rather Shaq is now the newest member of the Boston Celtics. The 38-year-old O’Neal will obviously not be the dominant big man he was with the Los Angeles Lakers or Miami Heat, but he is going to give the Celtics the last remaining amount of gas he has in his tank.

Boston signed Shaq to a two year $3 million deal. This is a two year deal that according to O’Neal will be his last two years in the NBA. Coming into the free agency period Shaquille O’Neal and his people looked at Boston as a team that would be a good fit for O’Neal. The interest from Boston was definitely mutual. The only catch was that Shaq and his agent entered the free agency period hoping for a two year deal worth around 8-10 million. Boston wanted Shaq but they didn’t want to pay that much for his services and O’Neal decided to take a pay cut to try to win one more championship with the Celtics.

Early indications are that Shaq will start the season as Boston’s backup center playing behind Jermaine O’Neal. His addition will also give Boston more depth along the frontline as Kendrick Perkins will miss the beginning of the upcoming season as he recovers from a knee surgery.

Shaq has also made it clear that he has no illusions of being a headliner for Boston or playing a role similar to Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, or Kevin Garnett.

"I realize I only have 730 days left in this game. I just wanted to be with a group of guys that like to win," O'Neal said. "This was a good team with or without me. I don't mind playing a role. I know where I am at this point in my career. It's about coming to a team that is one or two pieces from a championship."

It’s good to hear that Shaquille realizes he will be a role player for the Celtics and is going into this situation not expecting to play 40 minutes a game. Even at age 38 Shaq still makes Boston a better basketball team, but only if he stays committed to being a role player. He should give the Celtics another low post contributor, a player who knows what it takes to win championships, and a guy who can clog the lane.

By the way if you wondering what nickname Shaq is going to take during his time in Boston, he is considering calling himself THE BIG GREEN MILE.

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