By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Assistant Editor
In case you haven’t heard, the Boston Celtics have the greatest team ever assembled.
That is, if it were 2003.
In light of the Miami Heat signing three of the best players in the game this offseason, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge decided to go a different route. He signed the best players in the game – from seven years ago.
So let’s take a trip back to the 2002-03 season, shall we?
At center, we have Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq played just 67 games that year, but averaged 27.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. He was in the prime of a career that made him the most dominant center ever to play the game.
At forward, the C’s are rocking Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal.
KG, then a Minnesota Timberwolves superstar, was seventh in the league in scoring with 23 points per game, in addition to his 13.4 rebounds (second) .
O’Neal had a breakout season in 2002-03, his second year with the Indiana Pacers after coming over from Portland. O’Neal averaged 20.8 points and finished fourth in the NBA with 10.3 boards. His 178 blocks also ranked him fifth in the NBA.
As strong as the C’s are (or, [...]

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 [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies editor
Shaquille O’Neal might be heading to Boston. I’ve heard mixed reactions from Boston fans on this, but here is mine. NO. GOD NO. WHY?!?!?!
Six Reasons Shaq should go away, even if they are a bit of a stretch:
1. While I was raised a die-hard Boston fan, I grew up in Orlando, and spent much of my formative years hearing one thing about Shaquille O’Neal.  He can’t hit a free throw. This was true, and as I watched the man hurt more than help LeBron James last season, I realized he still can’t. He’s averaged .527% over career, and in 2009 was at .496% Even if these numbers aren’t horrendous, nobody that tall should frequently miss a set shot like that, right?
2. Having two O’Neal’s will be too confusing. Just like two Allen’s were. There apparently wasn’t room enough for Tony and Ray, and neither of them are as huge as Shaq…see what I’m getting at?
3. He’s 38. Our team is old enough. ‘Nuff said.
4. He didn’t help LeBron win a championship, so who’s to say he’ll help us win one?
5. He played for the Lakers. And Orlando. And Cleveland. All Rivals of the Celts.
6. This picture [...]

By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
What’s up Doc?
That’s what Celtics fans wanted to know soon after the NBA Finals ended and attention turned to whether Doc Rivers would be on the bench in Boston next season.  That question was answered last week as Rivers announced he would be back coaching the Celtics next season.  All of Boston felt relief.
Then Paul Pierce opted out of the final year of his contract.  This wasn’t a huge surprise and there wasn’t much reason to be concerned that Pierce would leave Boston, but it was great news for Celtics fans when reports surfaced in the last few days that Pierce and the Celts had agreed on a 4 year deal in the $60 million range.
Two of the biggest questions regarding the Celtics offseason had been answered; Doc and Pierce are going to be at The Garden in 2010-2011.  Now two big questions remain for the Celtics.  The first is will Ray Allen be wearing green next season?  The chances seem good especially with both Doc and Pierce coming back.  Both men must think that there’s a good chance Allen is also coming back otherwise it may have been a more difficult decision for them [...]

By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent
It’s not just a sub-par VH1 show anymore.  The Celtics had just about the best opening week an NBA team can have.
Boston sits at 3-0 after wins over the Cavs, Bobcats and Bulls.  There are several reasons why this week was a perfect way to start the season for the men in green.  But here is the top 3.
1. A win over Cleveland will make your week at any point of the season.  The Cavs were the East’s top seed last year and had the best record in the league.  The addition of Shaquille O’Neal made headlines and was made to better hang with the big men of the other championship contenders  Throw in the fact the Celts hadn’t won in Cleveland since 2004 and this was a great win.  There’s nothing better then making a statement to the rest of the league with your opening night victory.
2. Defense wins championships and the Celtics are shutting teams down right now.  They held the Cavs to 89 points and the Bulls to 90.  The Bobcats couldn’t even get to the 60’s, they scored 59 in the Celtics home opening 33-point win.  With Kevin Garnett back [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor in Chief
The Big Three outdid the highly anticipated Duo of LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neil on the Cavs’ turf in the NBA season opener Tuesday night. The Celts put an end to their 11-game losing streak in Cleveland by defeating them 95-89, a big difference from the 31-point Boston massacre on their last meeting.
What could possibly be the reason for the turn around?
Sorry Shaq, but there was someone more important than you on your Cleveland debut because KG is back.
All hints of a season-ending injury gone. Celtics fan’s biggest worry, gone. If last night’s game against a fellow title contender indicated anything, it’s that 2010 can very likely be the 2008 remix.
Garnett added 13 points and ten rebounds to the mix behind the other two musketeers, Paul Pierce with 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Ray Allen with 16 points and ten assists. The possible new inductee to make the power three into an unstoppable four, is Rasheed Wallace who put up 12 points on his own debut.
Superhuman James outscored each with 38 points of his own, including sinking four from outside the three, and eight assists. But just like last season, his effort alone [...]