NBA Rumors: 10 Reasons Shaq is the Missing Piece to a Celtics Title Run

The NBA has done something that no one has seen before in all the years of watching pro basketball. They have people talking hoops in August.

Not baseball, which should be the talk of the time this time of year. Not football, which owns every part of the year...to paraphrase Mr. Iverson, we're talking about basketball.

And as the dust was settling, the Celtics did what they have been doing for the past three years, they went out and signed an old guy.

And everybody will laugh and say these guys need a nursing home. And that they will lose badly to some young teams in November and January, and more people will snicker.

All the while those old bones will be resting.

Shaquille O'Neal will put the Celtics back in the Eastern Conference Finals, at the very least.

And this is why...

10. Kendrick Perkins Will Miss the First Few Months of the Season

Shaq likes to be in the spotlight. No, check that, he loves the spotlight.

And he plays better as a starter. We know this because he's told us. He has the potential to be both on center stage and on the court at the tip off when the Celtics face off against the newly built Miami Heat on opening night.

Because of the injury to Perkins, both the O'Neals (Jermaine also signed with the Celtics) become invaluable to what Boston is trying to do this upcoming year.

The star power on the court on the first night of the season is going to be ridiculous.

9. Signing Jermaine O'Neal Was Just Not Enough

The Celtics added Jermaine O'Neal and got rid of  Shelden Williams this off season. Two really good pieces of news, but as Paul Pierce pointed out, it was not enough.

Pierce took less money so that the team could go out and get a good bench to make another run.

Now, with re-signing Nate Robinson, and adding several other parts, including "The Big Shamrock" (I stole it from ESPN), Pierce should be happy.

8. Battling The Other Superman

Dwight Howard dominates against most teams and most players.

He is the Defensive Player of the Year and leads everyone every year in dunks, blocked shots, rebounds, and field goal percentage.

But Kendrick Perkins plays well against him. He admitted it.

And Shaq plays well against him. That he won't admit, but the numbers don't lie.

Now he has to face both of them (and if Rasheed Wallace comes out of retirement, he's really screwed).

7. Shaq Helps The Celtics Re-Establish Dominance in The East

I don't know if you heard about this, but the Miami Heat signed LeBron James.

Yeah, crazy huh?

Apparently he was a free agent and...anyway, he's over there now and he brought along Chris Bosh and south beach is really excited to have their talents down there.

So it is really important that the Celtics remind them who won the East last year.

QUESTION: If Miami's Big 3 were the Kardashian sisters, we know Bosh would be Khloe, but who would be Kim, LeBron or Wade?

6. Shaq Still Has Something Left

Last year in Cleveland Shaq averaged 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and shot 56 percent. Those numbers are better than most centers 10 years younger than him are giving on most nights.

And with the minutes he'll get because of Perkins being out, this could be as important a pick up as any not named James, Boozer, Bosh or Stoudemire.

5. Shaq Blends Right in and Won't Upset The Apple Cart

Most people point to how bad things get when Shaq wears out his welcome. But if you think about it, there is no such thing as a happy ending. If it was happy, why would you end it?

Whatever bad blood he had with Kobe, Wade or even his experience in Phoenix, it is outweighed by the great stuff O'Neal does off the court and the positive influence he has on the court.

Some situations work out and some don't.

The Big Three dealt with Rasheed Wallace, they can handle Shaq.

4. Signing Shaq Keeps Him Away from Atlanta

The word was out that the Hawks were really trying to sign Shaq.

And as badly as they played against the Orlando Magic in this past playoffs, for some reason Atlanta gives the Celtics serious problems anytime they meet.

By getting Shaq, that's one less bullet you give the Hawks if you have to face them in the playoffs.

An older team like the C's needs to exert as little energy as possible until they reach the finals.

3. That Fifth Ring

Ever since Shaq got a ring with Miami, he has been talking about getting that fifth ring, which will separate him from Tim Duncan.

And that was before Kobe got his fourth ring.

So other than joining the Lakers as their 12th man, Shaq figures that this might be his best shot.

Wanting that ring will keep him motivated.

2. Shaq Will Make a Fun Locker Room Even Better

Whenever you need a soundbite you can always go to the Big Aristotle.

So now imagine a locker room with him, Donkey, and Shrek?!

Most players will tell you that the regular season is a grind at times, so fun players are appreciated.

Coming Back to LA For The Remake Of Revenge Of The Sith

You heard it here first, as hard as it is to say goodbye, if Shaq can beat LA for his fifth ring, he will retire.

I am so sure of this.

In fact, I think that's his plan.

He watched the Celtics come up four points short and said, "I could have been the difference."

So, who do you have in the finals next summer?