When the season first began five months ago, the original plan was for the younger Jermaine O’Neal to get the start at center over the fossilizing Shaquille O’Neal. J.O. was spry, he was energetic, and he gave Doc Rivers‘ lineup toughness on the defensive end on the floor.
Now those months have passed, and in a roundabout sort of way, J.O. has earned the starting job for Game 1 of the Celtics’ first-round series against the New York Knicks.
With Shaq still ailing from a calf injury suffered two weeks ago and J.O. doing fine in the aftermath of knee surgery earlier this season, it’ll be the younger O’Neal in the starting role for the time being. Shaq’s return date is still unknown, but J.O. is healthy as can be.
The healthy O’Neal will be matched up at center with the Knicks’ Ronny Turiaf, who beat out Jared Jeffries and Shelden Williams to earn the starting role for Game 1. The other post matchup will be a marquee one, with the Celtics’ Kevin Garnett going up against Knicks superstar Amare Stoudemire.
Here’s the lineup card for C’s-Knicks:
Celtics
Rajon Rondo, PG
Ray Allen, SG
Paul Pierce, SF
Kevin Garnett, PF
Jermaine O’Neal, C
Knicks
Chauncey Billups, PG
Landry Fields, SG
Carmelo Anthony, SF
Amare Stoudemire, PF
Ronny Turiaf, C
