Shaquille O'Neal, a three-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player and 15-time All-Star center, signed with the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, the team announced.
The 18-year NBA veteran who has led four teams to league titles will fill in for Celtics center Kendrick Perkins, who might be sidelined until February after knee surgery following an injury in game six of the NBA Finals.
"It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille's calibre to your team," Celtics president Danny Ainge said. "His past experience speaks for itself and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster."
The Celtics lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games in last June's championship series.
"I cannot wait to get to Boston to get started in pursuit of another championship," "O'Neal said.
"Shaq" will add more impact to the NBA season opener on October 26 when the Celtics play host to the Miami Heat, which added superstar LeBron James, Chris Bosh and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas to star playmaker Dwyane Wade.
O'Neal played alongside James and Ilgauskas with the Cleveland Cavaliers last year in hopes of helping James and the Cavaliers claim their first title. Instead they were knocked out of the playoffs by the Celtics.
"Shaq" will join a star-studded Boston lineup that also includes forward Kevin Garnett, sharpshooter Ray Allen, playmaker Paul Pierce and top guard Rajon Rondo.
"I'm honored to be joining the Celtics," O'Neal said. "I have played against Paul, Ray, Kevin, Rajon and Jermaine for many years and it will be great to be able to call them my teammates."
O'Neal has career averages of 24.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a game and ranks fifth on the all-time NBA scoring list with 28,255 points. In 53 games last season, O'Neal averaged 12 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks for the Cavaliers.
