Atlanta Hawks: Shaq said to choose Celtics over Hawks (UPDATE: Celtics announce Shaq signing)
It looks like Shaq is taking his power game to Boston.
Shaquille O’Neal won’t be suiting up for the Hawks.
Multiple media outlets reported last night that he was “close” to joining the Celtics, and the team announced today that it has signed O’Neal.
“It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille’s caliber to your team,” Danny Ainge, Boston’s president of basketball operations, said in a statement released by the team. “His past experience speaks for itself and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster.”
O’Neal, 38, will play for his sixth NBA team in his 19th NBA season. He won three NBA championships with Los Angeles and another with Miami and now will seek another title with Boston, the defending Eastern Conference champion.
“I am honored to be joining the Celtics,” O’Neal said in the statement. “I have played against Paul [Pierce], Ray [Allen], Kevin [Garnett], Rajon [Rondo], and Jermaine [O'Neal] for many years and it will be great to be able to call them my teammates. I cannot wait to get to Boston to get started in pursuit of another championship.”
Shaq’s signing with Boston means the best center is off the free agent market as the Hawks look for another big man to join their frontcourt rotation. As it stands now, Atlanta has Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia and Jason Collins at center.
Last month Horford said the Hawks need to add an “impact” center and power forward Josh Smith agreed. Said Al: “We need to have someone to come in and have an impact. I think that is the position we need if we want to be any type of contender in the East.”
It doesn’t look like the Hawks will add that player in free agency even as the Eastern Conference has gotten tougher. Miami’s SuperFriends are in Atlanta’s division, Jermaine O’Neal and Shaq joined the Celtics, Chicago added Carlos Boozer and Andrew Bogut is set to return from injury for the Bucks.
It’s not that the Hawks are weak at center–Horford is an All-Star and Pachulia is an effective backup. But the big, physical frontlines of Boston and Orlando figure to be tough challenges for the Hawks in the playoffs.
Horford is undersized for center by NBA standards and Pachulia is not a big defensive post presence. Collins is a true 7-footer but he struggled with his conditioning last season and hasn’t been a rotation player for going on two years.
There don’t appear to be any “impact” centers left on the market after two waves of free-agent signings. Atlanta was said to have some mild interest in Kwame Brown, who could provide some post defense but is limited offensively. Other centers yet to sign include Josh Boone, Francisco Elson
and Brian Skinner.
The news that Shaq could join the Hawks created a buzz among Atlanta fans. All indications are that his interest in Atlanta was genuine.
He told friends early in free agency that he would be open to signing with the Hawks and one of his representatives contacted the team to gauge its interest, according to people with knowledge of the discussions. The Hawks were intrigued by Shaq but weren’t sure if he would be willing to accept a relatively small salary and a bench role as he nears the end of a career that will lead to his induction in the Hall of Fame.
Shaq’s initial contract demands were for a two-year deal that starts at $8 million, according to a person who talked to him about his plans. The Hawks, unwilling to exceed the luxury-tax threshold, weren’t willing to come close to that figure and eventually it became clear that no contending team would pay Shaq big money.
Boston is limited by salary cap rules to offering Shaq a contract starting at the veteran’s minimum salary of $1.35 million for a player with his experience. The Hawks could offer more by using salary-cap exceptions but weren’t willing to go much higher since their team salary is roughly $2.7 million below the luxury-tax threshold.
With the money being equal, Shaq apparently decided Boston gives him a better chance to earn another NBA championship.
MC
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323 comments Add your comment
doc
August 4th, 2010
6:32 pm
@ vava from nire:
“The same reports that say Shaq is willing to sign for peanuts to sit on the bench in Boston also said that he was demanding $8M and a starting spot from the Hawks. I’ll just quote CrawfultoCrawsome from Hawksquawk:
Right, its the ASG’s fault that Shaq wants nearly 10 mil to play in Atlanta but is just fine and dandy taking less than 2 mil to play in Boston. Yea I think I’m standing with my original comment about him. It’s the ASG’s fault that they weren’t willingly gutting their roster and investing their funds at Shaq’s behest in a guy who didn’t want to be here beyond collecting a paycheck. That’s the type of person you want to rest your hopes in and make plenty of concessions for at the expense of our other players just to say you got him.”
isnt this conjecture or is someone sitting in on management and reps discussions? that isnt possible is it from the other statements by nire earlier in the day? can you guys be consistent when one can use conjecture or can only state something you see with your own eyes or hear with your on ears? you blow your arguments apart with such inconsistencies.
so what to what someone says in the hawksquack. not sure what your point is vava. i guess nire might see the inconsistencies of his arguments as well to quote something as nebulus as this as credibility. it only serves one purpose to support an argument that is without facts with something made to be facts. it is only opinion. where is the truth if any in any of this statement? 10 mil to play for the hawks, umm where did that come from and is it credible?
not sure about that shaq quote either vava about being a starter and wanting more money, where did that one come from? been out of town and might have missed it.
i guess the sad part is the askg werent able to build on what people were available and it now falls down to shaq or nothing possibly. who is left to help our three legit but undersized post players. again like najeh says please stay healthy guys. that is what i am more concerned about.
Jeff
August 4th, 2010
6:32 pm
I guess we will sell tickets on Chick-Fila night. lol. We are going to camp with 12 players. Our Penny pinching ownership can’t sign a 13th impact player. Heck they can’t sign a 6th or 7th. If you want to make a impact and have your voice heard sit at home and don’t buy the tickets. This ownership group is only here for “1″ and I mean “1″ reason and that is a tax write off.
I am glad to keep reading all of the optimistic blogs. It seems no matter what some people are going to be real fans. If that is the case why even blog about the moves/ non-moves?
Meanwhile I will wait for Chick-fila night…. NOT
drmaryb (*_*)
August 4th, 2010
6:34 pm
Va Va Va – Boom!
VaVa @ 509 PM
Do I sense some hostility towards niremental?
“What we are having is a healthy decent conversation”
- Cedric the Entertainer -
Jeff
August 4th, 2010
6:37 pm
Hawk- Wait a minute didn’t we resign collins?? LOL
ASG is laughing to the bank. With the tax savings (showing a loss) and the 3 Million in the trade, and the other 2.7 Million they didn’t pay. I don’t know for sure but the interest on that might be pretty good.
Prison Mike
August 4th, 2010
6:38 pm
Zaza is not an “effective back up”. It’s a reason why the front office has been trying centers since Big Z was traded while Horford and Smith has indirectly saying Zaza is not the one helping them adequately.
ryan
August 4th, 2010
6:40 pm
I was just hearing from Chris Brussard Atlanta had no chance to get Shaq he maid up his mind a long time ago he wants to play for Doc Rivers and have the best chance win a championship. I think he the Hawks to get more team involved .
moboman
August 4th, 2010
6:45 pm
Teague is not leading this team anywhere. He’s quick, but cant shoot except with Childress shooting form and percentage, and I dont see a PG mentality in his play. By the time he learns how to play PG in the NBA (if that ever happens), our window with this group will be closed.
honest_abe
August 4th, 2010
6:56 pm
seriously, the hawks are one injury (starters) away from being a lottery team.
doc
August 4th, 2010
7:01 pm
you got it abe, quality depth, where?
Melvin
August 4th, 2010
7:04 pm
Ken,
Why would Shaq want to resign with the Cavs? He want out of there just like Lebron and Big Z. That team is not championship caliber so you know he’s not going to play there.
As for the non offseason moves, the two teams that played in the finals sign marquee FAs this offseason. If the best and elite teams are not complacent then why should/would I expect the Hawks to be?
Tech Sucks
August 4th, 2010
7:04 pm
We are in trouble. We’ve needed a real center for a long time. Al would be so good at the 4.
JeJe
August 4th, 2010
7:05 pm
“@JeJe: “No. Shaq has 4 rings. None of them do.”
they don’t?”
Sorry – maybe I’ve been in a cave for 15 years, but I don’t believe anyone on the Celtics besides Shaq has 4 rings.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 4th, 2010
7:08 pm
“LeBron with Shaq last year: Cavs +3.4 pts per possession. LeBron without Shaq? +15.7. That experiment was fun wasn’t it?”
When Shaq was out of the game, the Cavs replaced him with Zydrunas Ilgauskas and JJ Hickson, both quality players. If Shaq was a Hawk, not only would he ideally not be starting, but he would be mostly taking the minutes of players like Zaza Pachulia and Joe Smith, who are far, far below the caliber of Hickson and Big Z.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 4th, 2010
7:12 pm
“i think he’s just fine for his role and his salary. he’s pretty good on pick and rolls and draws a lot of fouls. he improved at the end of last season. i think he’s like No. 20 among centers in win shares. but maybe i should say “adequate” instead of effective.”
Fair enough… I guess I’d just rather see “adequate” cost the Hawks $3 million per year for one or two years rather than $4.75 million per year for three years.
Michael Cunningham
August 4th, 2010
7:13 pm
@JeJe: OK, i thought you were saying the Celtics players have no rings. the point is this C’s group has won a title for the C’s, and they did it since Shaq got his last one. if Shaq gets out of hand they can tell him to step and the organization will have their backs. they have just as much cred as Shaq even if they don’t have as many rings. KG has just as strong a personality as Shaq. none of those things are true for the Hawks.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 4th, 2010
7:14 pm
“Do you see the Hawks possibly improving themselves at the c position by trading Marvin Williams
and Zaza Pachuila for Emeka Okafor?”
If they won’t even go over the luxury tax to sign Shaq, there’s no way in hell they take on Okafor’s contract, which is one of the worst in the league.
Michael Cunningham
August 4th, 2010
7:15 pm
@ Prison Mike: “Zaza is not an “effective back up”. It’s a reason why the front office has been trying centers since Big Z was traded while Horford and Smith has indirectly saying Zaza is not the one helping them adequately.”
i think he is according the the numbers. the Hawks want someone with a different skill set for specific matchups but that doesn’t mean Zaza is garbage.
Hawks73
August 4th, 2010
7:15 pm
The ASG idiots are the worst P.O.S owners we have had in Atlanta since the Smith’s ran the Falcons. They fed us all with the line of “willing to exceed the luxury cap” only to sit back and do absolutely nothing to improve this teams chances in the post season. I am done with this b.s, and can’t wait to watch a real franchise….the Falcons. Thank God football is right around the corner.
Michael Cunningham
August 4th, 2010
7:17 pm
@ryan: i didn’t hear what Broussard said, but what he wrote as of yesterday was that the Hawks weren’t out of the running. basically Shaq decided to take the same role/cash with the Celtics because he thinks they provide a better shot at the title. i don’t think anyone would disagree.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 4th, 2010
7:18 pm
“The very serious knee injury to KPerkins, in last yrs NBA finals, along with them getting word he won’t return to full strength anytime soon, is what triggered their desire to sign Shaq. What would you be willing to bet if KPerkins was healthy, Shaq would still be like the Boll Weevil, looking for a home. ”
Yes, Shaq likely wouldn’t have signed with Boston if Perkins had been healthy. But that right there is exactly what separates the Hawks, a mediocre organization, from the Celtics, a championship organization. The Celtics have the confidence to take the risk of signing Shaq, with his baggage, knowing that they have to address that need in order to remain competitive for a title. The Hawks put a couple million dollars of luxury tax money ahead of the desire to put a title-contending team on the floor and let the chance to bring Shaq in pass them by. You can say what you want about Shaq and his attitude and what not, but the fact is Dwight Howard and Big Z are both in the Hawks’ division and it is overwhelmingly likely that the Hawks will have to go through one of them to advance beyond the second round. Championship teams address their needs head-on. Mediocre organizations re-sign fat centers who shoot 35% to the veterans’ minimum and try to delude their fan base into thinking they are contenders.
By the way, Shaq and Jason Collins are getting paid the same amount of money this upcoming season.
Michael Cunningham
August 4th, 2010
7:19 pm
@JeJe: “I heard a Sund interview on 680 last week and let me tell you it was a joke
2) He will not make a trade til next summer:
did he really say that?
Michael Cunningham
August 4th, 2010
7:20 pm
@Jeff: “MC- Question… Why hasn’t any one from the media (AJC) asked for a interview with a member(s) from the so called ownership group.”
believe me, i’ve asked.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 4th, 2010
7:20 pm
Jeff @ 637 PM
Sir, you nailed it blind-folded!
It’s ALL about the Benjamins Baby!
Michael Cunningham
August 4th, 2010
7:22 pm
@Najeh: “I guess I’d just rather see “adequate” cost the Hawks $3 million per year for one or two years rather than $4.75 million per year for three years.”
i feel ya, but you saw what happened this summer. even “adequate” centers get paid.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 4th, 2010
7:23 pm
In the above post, I mention that Big Z and Howard are in the Hawks’ division not because I think Big Z is the same caliber as Howard, but because Big Z is one of the few NBA centers who gives Horford problems due to his size and length. You can’t seriously expect to beat a team in a playoff series if one of your three best players is going to be neutralized against them.
vava74
August 4th, 2010
7:37 pm
DrMaryB,
I think you missed the point. nire reposted a blog entry from hawksquawk and then made a few remarks which I agree to.
Doc,
There were several solid reports stating that Shaq would only consider signing for the Hawks if he got more than the midlevel, a multiyear deal and got starter minutes.
These reports go as far back as a month ago when Shaq had more possible suitors, including the Spurs for whom I think he expressed publicly the willingness to play for little money and be a backup. MC could probably corroborate this.
tyger
August 4th, 2010
7:39 pm
On-line Petition for ASG to sell Hawks with Godspeed!
The undersigned, life-long fans of the Atlanta Hawks petition the ASG, NBA, NBA Governors, City of Atlanta and other significant corporate sponsors/partners to sell the franchise as quickly as possible.
In light of recent events, especially this free-agency period, it is clear that current ownership/ management do not have sufficient resources to maintain a competitive, championship caliber franchise in the city of Atlanta. That being the case, the only honorable thing to do, is divest ownership to a more able body.
Recent history shows this ownership group was flawed from the start – with owners suing owners – openly and publicly bickering over player transactions. They have not conducted themselves like owners, instead they continue to shed an unfavorable light upon the NBA. In fact, according to the Courts, they never should have come into ownership of the franchise. see victorious lawsuit by Mr. McDavid, which TBS is currently appealing.
Moreover, their very limited resources have been a source of constant and persistent embarrassment throughout the league, city and it’s fan base. They are incrementally and systematically eroding the fan base and depreciating the value of the franchise with cheap player transactions, cheap coaching hires and openly touting a pathological cheapness if left unchecked, will condemn this franchise for the near future and beyond. For example, the Hawks have not signed one free agent beyond, Joe Johnson, to a salary higher than the NBA minimum wage.
Certainly, winning 53 games and making the playoffs 3 yrs. consecutive is admirable. However, that is a by-product of the former GM Billy Knight. This current group appears to be in a “wind down” of operations prior to “foreclosure or bankruptcy.”
SAVE OUR HAWKS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!!!
vava74
August 4th, 2010
7:45 pm
Najeh,
Get a grip man. Shaq would not have signed with us unless we overpaid him.
The Celtics are in a privileged position: they are the winningest franchise, they are loaded with cash and they are still riding a good momentum.
We are not in the same league and in its not simply a matter of committing more money. The ASG is not financially healthy enough to just jump in a sign Shaq for 8 million and go into luxury tax for 3 or 4 million with that move or to trade Marvin as some people suggested.
Shaq is no longer valuable enough to warrant that.
Yes, it would have been an interesting exercise – in my opinion bound to fail dramatically – but you cannot honestly think that we should have pursued Shaq at all cost.
You should also note that Shaq would land in ATL and immediately take over the whole organization by a storm and do whatever he felt like whilst in the Celtics he is within a context where there is a much higher degree of probability that he will have to behave and play ball.
vava74
August 4th, 2010
7:53 pm
Also, Shaq fits BOS’ geriatric half court style and not necessarily ours which should be fast paced and based on athleticism.
The same reasons why he could be a good fit for BOS are the one which would probably make him a bad fit for us.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 4th, 2010
7:57 pm
Va Va 74
Oh! My bad. Sorry, I was so confused when I read that post. Next time I will mind my own business.
-smiles-
VaVa74
Man! We just can’t even BUY a player! With money or without money!
We are really Lucky that Joe loves playing here! At least he is up to the challenge of being an Alpha Dog and he is NOT afraid to take the money and run!
Like it or NOT? Joe is our Franchise Player and he is OUR Super-Star!
Like that Jack Nicholson Movie with Co-Star, Cuba Gooding Jr. – “As Good As It Gets”
Speaking of, where is Cuba Gooding these days? No work in Hollywood?
O'Brien
August 4th, 2010
8:00 pm
The thing with signing Shaq is that if he was not working out for the Hawks, I think it would be easy to trade him to a team that is looking for a big man. Especially if somebody gets injured.
Either way, Shaq is off the board, so who is next? Kwame Brown or Josh Boone?
JustAThought
August 4th, 2010
8:03 pm
Chit! Shaq thinking…….should I play for a team that I know “WON’T” be in the championship…..or should I play for a team that “MIGHT” be in the championship…………..
Michael Cunningham
August 4th, 2010
8:03 pm
@vava74: “There were several solid reports stating that Shaq would only consider signing for the Hawks if he got more than the midlevel, a multiyear deal and got starter minutes. These reports go as far back as a month ago when Shaq had more possible suitors, including the Spurs for whom I think he expressed publicly the willingness to play for little money and be a backup. MC could probably corroborate this.”
the way it was told to me, early on he wanted cash ($8 mil per year) and a starter’s role with the Hawks. the impression i got was that also applied to other teams. then as the market dwindled the role took a backseat to the cash. when the Hawks nor any other good team was willing to give him either a starting gig or cash, he went with Boston.
JustAThought
August 4th, 2010
8:05 pm
Who’s next…………..Josh Boone or Kwame Brown…………lets see, do I want a guy that’s too lite or a guy that’s too stupid………
drmaryb (*_*)
August 4th, 2010
8:22 pm
HIV!
MC
Once again, your Blog has been infected with a drug resistant virus.
Looks like the Library has found another Book-Worm on it’s shelves.
The good news is that the Library closes at 830 PM.
BTW, that narcissistic sociopath has been posting all day, I guess you didn’t notice.
doc
August 4th, 2010
8:32 pm
thanks for clarifying there MC.
it doesnt sound like shaq was hard balling all the way to the celts. yes, it would have cost us a premium but isnt that the way it goes, see jj’s contract, until we get it right. i just doubt shaq was screaming for 10 mil the whole time as the market got more realistic to him. “solid reports” are ok when it pertains to players, just not management, i guess, got it.
look, i am for getting a big as much as i am about getting shaq, who was one of the better back ups in this class. this has been a wasted opportunity thus far.
nice comments najeh, ditto.
JeJe
August 4th, 2010
8:34 pm
MC,
Sund said that he likes the core and that the guys are “young veterans” (he said this a million times) and that only now do they have experience losing in the playoffs.
Like losing to CLE in 09 in 4 easy games didn’t mean anything to Marvin Freaking Williams or Josh Smith. We gotta get swept on national TV a 2nd year in a row until we become young veterans.
Not once has Sund EVER addressed the fact that Orlando and Cleveland OWNED us in the playoffs. He is a disillusioned idiot and will not trade a core player until next summer, if the team does not take the next step this year.
Also, do you know anything of Bibby’s weight? Has he lost weight?
vava74
August 4th, 2010
8:41 pm
TS,
Shall we all say: welcome back, we missed you?
Macaroni Tony
August 4th, 2010
9:00 pm
I wish we can have the three to play like this every night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNtwNpbPOCU
Dylan
August 4th, 2010
9:12 pm
I hear you, Macaroni. What’s happened to Marvin these days? It’s like he’s totally lost his swagger. With the physical gifts that this guy has, he could really be something special.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 4th, 2010
9:16 pm
You know, if y’all paid me like $100 a day, I’d be glad to delete all the bullsh-t comments from the blog. Just sayin’…
Macaroni Tony
August 4th, 2010
9:16 pm
If he can do this all season then the Hawks will be ok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWbZj4F8tds&feature=related
Blast
August 4th, 2010
9:29 pm
I see Truth Serum is back in all inglory and actually doing his best to shut the blog down.
MC. Where are you when we need you? Truth Serum is and always been Joe Mama.
Fundamentals
August 4th, 2010
9:33 pm
I’d give $20 towards the cause Najeh.
Dylan, I feel like he really had it going when Joe went down and then the back injury. Since then he’s been timid which leaves him out of the rotation and the 5th option. I don’t see him ever being a focus as long as he’s out there with Al, Josh, Joe, ect. He needs to be a featured scorer with Jamal off the bench. Problem is we can’t use Mo at starting SF. I’ve repeatedly said I think Mo has game at SG, but not SF. He’ll never beat out Joe, Jamal and now Jamal 2 for minutes. We need a strong defensive, rebounding SF who can spot up for jumpers on occassion. We also need a C. That SF could push Marvin into a big role with the 2nd unit.
JOE MAMA
August 4th, 2010
9:38 pm
blasted inglory? Blast
hermdawg
August 4th, 2010
9:41 pm
Whatever happen to the phrase “in order to make money u have to spend money.” Why do the Hawks org do not realize that Shaq would put people in the seats.
Fundamentals
August 4th, 2010
9:45 pm
I wasn’t for signing Shaq, but I am for spending $$ to enhance the team.
JeJe
August 4th, 2010
9:53 pm
So what exactly did Truth-Serum do wrong? Was he just posting under people’s names and saying Horford wasn’t a center?
Sautee
August 4th, 2010
10:05 pm
ding!
JeJe
August 4th, 2010
10:16 pm
I can’t believe ASG doesn’t think we need another wing. Damien Wilkins would cost NOTHING to add (veteran minimum)…Oh wait, veteran minimum is a lot for the ASG to handle. Those idiots want Mo Evans, who I doubt is even really 6″5, to back up at SF? He’s not even good. He has one good game every 3 weeks and doesn’t make 3’s anymore.