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 [...]