Boston Celtics: Not Expecting Shaquille O'Neal's Return, Will Lack Big Man Depth

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Boston Celtics May Have One Less Big Body For Playoffs

Boston big man, Shaquille O'Neal, is not likely to make a return for the NBA playoffs and his quest to partake in another NBA championship run may be over. The Boston Celtics are reportedly making plans to move on without him.

Bill Burt of the Eagle Tribune says:

Shaquille O'Neal may have worn a Boston Celtics uniform for the last time...In what would be a crippling blow to their chances of winning a title, the Celtics are going forward as if the affable center won't be returning to team for the playoffs, according to an NBA source.

This news is a devastating blow for the Celtics who were hoping that once dominating force in the paint would have one more title run him, despite being on his last legs.

The source tells Burt:

If he were to come back, it would have to be a miraculous recovery...And at his age (he turned 39 on March 6) and physical condition, the Celtics have planned accordingly.

Boston will now have to rely on a combination of Jermaine O'Neal, Glen Davis and Nenad Kristic to work on the paint. But there's reason for concern: O'Neal has a balky knee, Davis is undersized and Kristic is more suited to play in the permeter.

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With no bonafide big body, the Celtics may not be able to go for a deep playoff run.

It's another painful reminder of the big risk that they took when they traded away banger Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Looking ahead the Celts could face the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls, teams that can push them around underneath without O'Neal.

Bad news for Boston. Age has finally caught up.

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