Will Shaquille O’Neal Help or Hurt the Celtics’ Chemistry?

by abournenesn

Aug 10, 2010

Will Shaquille O'Neal Help or Hurt the Celtics' Chemistry?Shaquille O'Neal is officially a Celtic.

So now what?

Shaq comes to Boston with plenty of experience — 18 seasons and four rings — and is expected to fill the void left by the injured Kendrick Perkins. But at age 38, what exactly can Shaq do for this already aging club?

With Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O'Neal, this team looks more like a late-'90s All-Star team than it does a 2010-11 roster. The C's are hoping these aging All-Stars can hold up during the long campaign and make another run at a title, just as they did a season ago.

Last year, Shaq averaged 12 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in just over 23 minutes of action — all career lows. The year before, Shaq was a key member of the Suns' offense, as he averaged 30 minutes per game and racked up just under 18 points a contest.

But with Shaq comes one of the game's biggest personalities and arguably the most marketable athlete in the world. Aside from his very own reality show, Shaq Vs., Shaq can be seen in just about any commercial when he's not patrolling the streets as an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshall or spitting out rhymes as a rapper.

Will this larger-than-life character disrupt the C's locker room?

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