The oldest player in the NBA still has the joviality of a kid.
Shaquille O'Neal is no stranger to practical jokes, and he's already bringing the laughs to Boston.
On Thursday, a crowd waited and waited for the big man's arrival at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy, because Shaq was fashionably late. Suddenly, a helicopter buzzed over the course and landed near the driving range. Media and fans rushed over thinking the Celtics' center decided to arrive in style. Turns out the helicopter happened to be carrying the course owner with no Shaq in sight.
Shortly thereafter, O'Neal arrived in a red van. When he stepped onto the course he quipped, "Got you with the old helicopter trick, huh?"
Even when he doesn't plan the joke, Shaq still manages to have some fun. It's good to see Shaq getting off to a good start in Boston, and he’s taking full advantage of what Boston has to offer as he's already been boning up at Harvard and has even crashed a wedding.
Imagine what comic relief he can bring during the long, grind of an NBA season for this aging Celtics team? Forget Miami's Big Three — when Shaq teams up with the like-minded teammates Glen Davis and Nate Robinson for a full season, there's no match for the entertainment that these guys can bring on and off the court.
NESN.com will showcase one Moment of Shaq every day until the Celtics open the season against the Heat on Oct. 26 at the TD Garden.
Thursday, Sept. 23: The meaning behind one of Shaq's odd nicknames.
