By Dan Massar: YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

If only it was 2000.

Not because that was the summer of the first  season of “Survivor.”  Not because it gave us the epic drama that was Bush vs. Gore.  And not because it gave us Julia Roberts showing off her goods in Erin Brockovich.

Too bad it’s not 2000 for the sake of the Boston Celtics because they just signed NBA icon and future Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal to a two year contract.  He’s 38 years old now and has played 18 NBA seasons.  Ten years ago he was in the middle of his prime and was the best player on the planet.

Now he is a serviceable big man who gives the Celtics another big body to fill in for the injured Kendrick Perkins.  If his first name wasn’t Shaq, this move would be seen as a smart and safe move by Danny Ainge.  Last year he averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds in 23 minutes per game which are respectable numbers.  But when you know these are Shaq’s numbers you begin to reminisce about his dominant days in the 90’s and most of the 2000’s when he dominated the NBA.

Everyone knows Shaq is a huge personality and has clashed in the past with other superstars on his teams like Penny Hardaway in Orlando and Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles.  But if he can get along with his Celtics teammates and fully accepts his role player role, this could be a very good move for Boston.  Consider if Shaq had been on the roster during the NBA Finals.  Do you think the Celtics could have use him in game 7 against the Lakers with Perkins out?

Absolutely!  You can never have enough big bodies in the NBA.  Shaq is still the ultimate big body in the league.  He’s not a stud anymore, but he still can provide scoring and defense when called upon for his 20 minutes of playing time.

Shaq is coming to Boston.  This has a chance to work out very well for the Celtics.  Could it backfire?  Sure, but it’s worth the risks.  The Celtics matchups with the Heat, Lakers, and Magic (the Celtics three biggest competitors for next years NBA title and coincidentally all former Shaq teams) just got a lot more fun.

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