The Boston Celtics added to their depth in the middle by signing Shaquille O’Neal today. And while it seems strange to imagine one of the greatest Los Angeles Lakers big men ever donning the Boston green and white, it isn’t all that surprising. O’Neal is on the last legs of his career, and is looking to be in the hunt for one last championship to go out on. The Celtics certainly give him a viable shot to do that.

With starting center Kendrick Perkins out for potentially half of the upcoming season with a knee injury, the Celtics made a significant move in acquiring Jermaine O’Neal with their mid-level exception. Now with the addition of Shaq, the Celtics have a serviceable backup who will be a presence in the post and a boost on the boards. One of the key weaknesses to the Celtics last season was their lack of size. Past Kendrick Perkins and an aging Rasheed Wallace, their frontcourt shrunk down to the likes of Glen Davis and an occasional Shelden Williams sighting. With the two O’Neals, size will not be an issue for the Celtics.

It’s almost fitting that O’Neal would join the Celtics and their merry band of past-their-prime All-Stars. In 2002, this team would have been nasty (sure, we’ll even take a 16-year-old Rajon Rondo). A dream team of sorts. Shaq, Jermaine, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were all All-Stars back then. Fastforward eight years, and they are all impact players, but only Paul Pierce still seems to have that nightly big-game potential at this point. Although the Celtics made an improbable run to the finals last year, another year under their belts isn’t necessarily a good thing. And for a team whose trademark has been aggressive, team defense, I wonder how soon the Celtics’ defense will buckle from O’Neal’s lack of lateral quickness on those perimeter pick-and-rolls.

However, what I like about the addition of O’Neal is that he brings the Celtics true championship experience. If anyone knows what it takes to win titles, it’s him. While we’ve seen his unstoppable power and prowess on the block dwindle over the past few seasons, O’Neal is still a smart and battle-tested player. Also, given Jermaine O’Neal’s history of nagging injuries and limited playing time, I expect that the Celtics will have to rely on Shaq to play significant minutes in at least one stretch of games this season.

Do I think it is a big move? No. I do think that it is a smart move, and at a reported two-year contract for just $3 million it’s hard to pass on one of the greatest centers to ever play the game. The bigger question at hand though is what nickname will O’Neal bring with him to Beantown? I’ve heard the “Big Shamrock” and the “Big Leprechaun” being tossed around. Those are just too easy. How about something with a bit more local flavor, like Shaquille O’Malley?

So how do you think O’Neal will fit in with the Celtics? Is his size and experience enough to make Boston contenders again this year, or does he just bring added entertainment and excitement to the Celtics’ rabid fans? Let me know what you think.

While the 2010 NBA Finals between the Lakers and Celtics was yet another chapter in the two franchises’ storied rivalry, it was a series that we won’t soon forget. With so many fantastic moments in the series, which one will stick with you the longest?

Click through to see our nominees and to vote for yourself.

“We ain’t coming back to L.A.” - Paul Pierce got a bit too cocky in Game 2, as he was caught on camera saying “We ain’t coming back to L.A.” to some Lakers fans in the crowd. Indeed, the Celtics would come back to L.A., and they wouldn’t like the outcome.

Ray Allen sets a record – After a disappointing 12 points on 3-8 shooting in Game 1, Ray Allen bounces back in Game 2 to sink an NBA Finals record eight three-pointers on his way to 32 points and a Celtics win.

Derek Fisher comes through in the clutch – again – The only reason Derek Fisher’s clutch performance in Game 3 wouldn’t be memorable is only because it’s hard to keep all of his big-game heroics straight. It’s what his legacy rests upon. Fisher poured in 11 of the Lakers’ 24 fourth-quarter points to lead L.A. to a come-from-behind win in their first game in Boston.

The Big Baby drool - The high-energy Boston bench, led by Glen Davis and Nate Robinson, outscored the Lakers by 10 in the fourth quarter of Game 4 to lead the Celtics to victory. While their play was superb, it was outdone by one especially heated moment where Robinson jumped on Davis’ back in celebration while Davis proceeded to uncontrollably drool in the midst of his jubilation.

Shrek and Donkey press conference - High off of their Game 4 win, Davis and Robinson turn into a comic duo at the post-game press conference, and end up comparing their relationship to that of “Shrek and Donkey”.

Lakers bounce back in a big way – On the verge of elimination, the Lakers returned home and delivered a crushing blow to Boston with a 89-67 rout of the Celtics. The Lakers also received strong play from Pau Gasol and Ron Artest (something that had been sorely lacking in the previous two games), which helped build their momentum and confidence heading into game 7.

Kobe struggles, but Lakers win the title - It didn’t look good for the Lakers through three quarters as Kobe Bryant was putting together a historically bad Finals shooting performance. Still, Bryant managed to contribute at the free-throw line, on the boards, and by getting his teammates involved as the Lakers prevailed in a Game 7 slugfest.

Ron Artest has people to thank – In Ron Artest’s postgame interview, he delivers yet another gem, thanking (among others) his hood, his doctor, his psychiatrist and finishes with a finale of promoting his upcoming rap single. Even more entertaining than that was his postgame press-briefing…he was very excited to go to the club that night.

What was your favorite moment of the 2010 NBA Finals? Vote below and let us know. If we left out your favorite moment of the Finals, let us know what it is in the comments field!

In what was one of the most bizarre, smash-mouth, defensive-minded games in NBA Finals history, the Lakers defeated the Celtics 83-79 in the deciding Game 7 to claim the 2010 NBA championship. Kobe Bryant struggled mightily throughout the game, shooting only 6-24 from the floor, but made up for his offensive struggles with an impressive rebounding contribution (15 boards), and an ability to get to the free-throw line (11-15). Bryant’s 28 point and 8 rebound averages throughout the series also landed him the NBA Finals MVP award.

The Celtics led for the majority of the game, taking advantage of Bryant’s poor shooting from the field, but they couldn’t match the Lakers’ impressive 30-point fourth quarter. While the Celtics had played fantastic defense for the first three quarters, the Lakers made it a point to attack the basket which led to foul after Boston foul. The Lakers ended up shooting 21 free-throws in the fourth quarter, giving the Lakers the advantage they needed to win the game. It was apparent that the Celtics dearly missed Kendrick Perkins’ defensive presence down low, as they struggled to defend Pau Gasol in the post and couldn’t to keep pace with the Lakers’ rebounding efforts.

The Lakers found major help from Gasol and Ron Artest, who each came up with their second straight big game after their disappearing act in Game 5. Gasol contributed a modest 19 points, but was a monster on the glass with 18 rebounds. He was also the focal point of the Lakers offense down the stretch when Bryant’s shot couldn’t be relied upon. Artest continued to harass Paul Pierce on the defensive end of the floor, grabbed five steals, and put up 20 points (including a timely three). Those statistics pale in comparison to how brilliant his postgame interview was, thanking (among others) his hood, his doctor, his psychiatrist and finishes with a finale of promoting his upcoming rap single. Only Ron Artest.

It was a fantastic back-and-forth series that never lacked in drama or intrigue. It was hard to tell who had the edge at any given point in the series, because the momentum could shift at any moment. It was a battle of stars clashing, making life difficult for one another, and prevailing through what must have been an emotional roller-coaster at times. For a NBA playoffs that has, for the most part, been far from compelling – this heated series between the Lakers and Celtics was a great way to wrap up the season.

But the Lakers deserve to be commended for winning their second title in a row. It will be interesting to see if they can make it back again next year for their fourth NBA Finals appearance in a row. If they do, it would be an opportunity for Bryant to get his sixth championship, tying the amount of titles Michael Jordan won throughout his career.

Do you anticipate seeing the Lakers back in the Finals next year?

After drawing heavy criticism for their uninspired, underachieving effort in Game 5, the Lakers’ role players finally gave Kobe Bryant the support needed for them to be successful. They were not only successful in Game 6, but downright impressive as they absolutely routed the Celtics 89-67.

The Lakers looked like a completely different team than we saw in their last two losses in Boston. The whole team was (rightfully so) playing with a true sense of urgency. The tides had turned as the Lakers were clearly the aggressor from the opening tip. Bryant was his aggressive self on his way to 26 points, but he made it a point to get his teammates involved – knowing that he couldn’t do it alone.

Pau Gasol flirted with a triple-double, with 17 points, 13 boards and 9 assists. Ron Artest (whose nickname around my house has turned from “Ron Ron” to “Choke Choke”) came up in a big way, contributing 15 points (including 3 three-pointers) and 6 rebounds. Lamar Odom was particularly active on the glass, grabbing 10 rebounds, and even Sasha Vujacic got into the mix by knocking down a couple shots from downtown. It was the Lakers we had come to expect, and had seen all season.

These performances were even more important given the sorry state of center Andrew Bynum, who continues to battle through knee pain from his torn meniscus. Bynum was limited to just 16 minutes of play, and sat out the entire second half other than the opening minutes of the third quarter. While he intends to play in the clinching Game 7 tomorrow, it wouldn’t be reasonable to expect him to be much of a contributor. This being the case, the Lakers caught somewhat of a break with the news that Kendrick Perkins wouldn’t be available for Game 7, as he strained two ligaments in his right knee after an awkward landing. The Celtics will give his minutes to the unpredictable Rasheed Wallace, and the physical Glen Davis who struggles with the length of L.A.’s front line at times.

The Celtics have to step up in a big way tomorrow. They have willed themselves to victory during this series with intensity, hustle and setting the tone with amped-up energy. We didn’t see any of that from them last night. In fact, we didn’t see much of anything from them. All of the Celtics stars all had ho-hum games – not terrible but nothing to write home about. Nobody really stepped up and led for the Celtics. And while their bench has been highly touted during this series, they did next to nothing to help the Celtics win.

It’s hard to imagine that the Celtics come out as flat tomorrow as they did in Game 6. They will come to play, and I expect it to be a classic ending to a great series. But I don’t expect the Lakers to let this game slip by them. They have been fantastic on their home court throughout the playoffs and they have as much momentum going for them right now than they could have ever hoped for after losing two straight in Boston. It doesn’t hurt when you have “the kloser” on your team, either. Get ready to usher in the Lakers as your 09-10 champs tomorrow night, which would be their second in a row.

Do you think Boston has a shot of taking Game 7 after their abysmal performance last night?

In a Game 5 that would put one team in the driver’s seat  and one team on the ropes, Kobe Bryant came to play…the rest of the Lakers didn’t. The Celtics relied on strong performances from Paul Pierce and the rest of the “big four” to come away with a 92-86 victory to take a 3-2 series lead.

While the Celtics controlled the lead for much of the game, Bryant tried to take matters into his own hands in the third quarter where he scored 19 of the Lakers’ 26 points. Bryant hit tough shot after tough shot, frustrating the solid Celtics defense. But even after what looked to be a classic NBA Finals performance in-the-making, the Lakers still didn’t outscore the Celtics in the period – as Pierce pitched in 11 points of his own. The quarter, however, gave Lakers fans the hope that Bryant would will them to victory singlehandedly, as he has done many times before in his career. Perhaps even Bryant’s teammates were thinking the same thing? Unfortunately, Bryant just didn’t receive the help from the rest of the Lakers that he needed.

The Celtics on the other hand, displayed great cohesion within their starting unit. I’ve been critical of the Celtics starting-five throughout this series, noting that there hasn’t been a game where each of the “big four” put together a solid effort on the same night. Tonight was that game. It was easily Pierce’s best offensive game of the series, dropping 27 points in an array of isolation moves and patented shots from the elbows. Kevin Garnett didn’t look as old as advertised tonight either. Celtics fans will take this KG stat line any day: 18 points, 10 boards, 5 steals, 3 assists 2 blocks. Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo also combined for 30 points on 14-22 shooting. The big four performed up to our expectations tonight, and when they do that the Celtics are tough to beat.

Although the Celtics played like a true team (except for a pathetic display of teamwork by Pierce at the end of the first half), the same can’t be said about the Lakers. Their whole offense depended on Bryant. While this may be a “chicken-or-the-egg” scenario, Bryant’s effort to carry the whole team on his shoulders might have led to their downfall. I’m not sure one can even blame Bryant for taking over after seeing the effort that his teammates had produced in the first half, but it looked as though he didn’t trust them with the ball anymore. More often than not, this resulted in his teammates standing and watching Bryant operate by himself, allowing the Celtics defense to tighten the clamps on him even more. Bryant’s individualistic offense also meant that his teammates wouldn’t be in much of an offensive rhythm when they did get the ball, which was reflected in the team’s 39% field-goal shooting for the night.

While the Celtics had four players in double figures, the Lakers had just two – with Pau Gasol’s measly 12 points as the best supporting performance to Bryant. Ron Artest, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum combined for 21 points on 9 of 21 shooting. The Lakers better find a way to find their rhythm again, and get some production out of their supporting (even starring) cast, or this series might not reach seven games. However, the Lakers have the benefit of having the final two games on their home floor, which may be just the edge they need to get back on track.

Do you think the Lakers will bounce back and push this series to a seventh game?

I’d be remiss if I didn’t share the best post-game interview the playoffs have seen this year. Glen Davis and Nate Robinson are like a power couple, just taking over the show, playing off of eachother’s vibes. Big Baby addresses his slobbering problem, and NateRob compares the two of them to popular cartoon characters in a way that I can’t find a way to disagree with. How soon until we see a Robinson and Davis reality TV show? Now that would be worth watching.

In a series where you can only expect the unexpected, the Boston Celtics were able to tie their series with the Los Angeles Lakers (2-2) with a spirited 96-89 win at TD Garden tonight. While you shouldn’t be surprised to see Boston even up the series, you should be surprised at how they won tonight’s game. After trailing for nearly three quarters, the Celtics relied heavily on their passionate and energetic bench down the stretch to seal the victory.

When a group comprised of Glen Davis, Nate Robinson, Tony Allen, Rasheed Wallace and Ray Allen (the lone starter in the bunch) were on the court, the Celtics outscored the Lakers by 10 points in the fourth quarter. Davis walked away as the hero of the night, scoring an impressive 18 points off of the bench – including 9 in the fourth quarter alone. He did a bit of everything tonight from mid-range shots, crafty lay-ins, and bruising and-1 finishes. His most notable highlight included a Nate Robinson piggy back ride and a hefty portion of drool.

While the Lakers got a more efficient offensive game from Kobe Bryant (33 points on 10-22 shooting) and Pau Gasol had a decent night (21 points, 6 rebounds), they just didn’t get a whole lot of help from anyone else. Lamar Odom – 10 points. Ron Artest – 9 points.  The heroic Derek Fisher – 6 points (all on ridiculously difficult shots I might add).

Perhaps the biggest issue within the Lakers’ offensive struggles was the limited minutes that Andrew Bynum could play, given increased pain in his knee. Bynum was limited to just 12 minutes in the game, limiting the Lakers’ defensive presence on the inside that they’ve relied on so heavily this series. With the assumption that Bynum will be equally limited in game 5, it’s clear that they will have to get much more production out of Lamar Odom if they expect to win.

But if I’m a Boston fan, I’m still concerned about my team’s chances in this series. Sure, you should be excited about the way your bench played tonight – they were brilliant – but I don’t think it would be wise to expect the same type of production out of them again. There hasn’t been one game  where all of the  “big four” on the Celtics have had productive games on the same night, and each of them has had at least a game where they were largely absent or ineffective. Every game is an uncertainty for the Celtics stars; every game feels like a gamble. And you can only roll the dice for so long until the house (in this case, the Lakers) beats you.

Another thing – the Celtics did a lot of screaming, chest-pounding, and even dancing at the free-throw line tonight. I get it, it’s the NBA Finals, it’s exciting beyond my wildest imagination, but it made the Celtics look like a team who hadn’t been there before. The reason being, most of the players out there during the time of maximum jubilation (Davis, Robinson, Tony Allen) really haven’t been in the situation where they’ve had to lead down the stretch in the most critical of games. While the fact that most of the starters weren’t out there when the Celtics made a push is a testament to their depth, it’s also another prime example Boston’s inconsistencies in this series. Let’s just say that I’m more inclined to think tonight’s performance was more fool’s gold than a knockout punch.

The Lakers haven’t been able to get in any rhythm offensively either, and while Bryant eventually gets his points, the Celtics are really making him work for it. The Lakers need to move the ball better, find ways to get Bryant more open looks, and find somebody (anybody) to score some points other than Bryant and Gasol. Odom needs to find that “starters mentality” and find it quick. But the Lakers still have that confident demeanor to them. They know that this series is far from over. And they know that as impressive as Davis and his bench buddies were tonight, it likely won’t happen again – not like that.

This series hasn’t been a thing of beauty, but at least we can all rejoice in the fact that we have an extremely competitive series on our hands that could go either way at this point. With the series all tied up, who do you think has the edge to win it all? Will the winner of game five determine the winner of the series? Let me know what you think.

Throughout the playoffs, I’ve noted that Derek Fisher was the weakest link for the Los Angeles Lakers’  starting unit. The blogosophere collectively put Fisher on blast for his inability to defend quicker point-guards, often times making him a liability out on the court. But in tonight’s 91-84 victory over the Celtics, the Lakers wouldn’t have won the game without Fisher’s surprising fourth-quarter performance.

By the time the fourth quarter came around, Fisher had constructed a highly forgettable evening, putting up just 5 points on 1 of 5 shooting from the field. Just another onlooker in the watch-Kobe-Bryant-shoot-ill-advised-jumpshots offense.  The Celtics had mounted an impressive comeback, and cut the Lakers’ lead to only one point with just a minute gone in the fourth. That’s when Fisher took matters into his own hands.

Fisher willed in shot after shot, many of them in very “non-Fisher” fashion. We expect Fisher to knock down the spot-up three, or the occasional mid-range jumper off of a broken play, but Fisher was creating offense. He was slashing through defenders finishing in traffic at the hoop. He was coming hard off of screens and abusing the Celtics for not switching off of the picks. He was hitting contested leaners. He even finished a fast-break layup while drawing a tough foul from Glen Davis. Fisher could do no wrong. When it was all said and done, Fisher poured in 11 of the Lakers’ 24 fourth-quarter points.

Fisher’s heroics were desperately needed by the Lakers in the fourth quarter, especially as Bryant went just 1-5 from the field in the final period. Bryant had struggled all night with his shot, often being forced to take deep or contested jumpers, and finished shooting just 10-29 for the game.

Aside from Fisher and Bryant trading roles down the stretch, it was a bizarre game that featured other surprising performances. Ray Allen, one game removed from draining a historic eight three-pointers in one game, went an atrocious 0-13 from the field. Kevin Garnett, who had been much maligned for his largely absent play in the first two games, had an impactful 25-point outing and demonstrated much more poise than we’ve seen from him in this series.

The Celtics had every chance to win tonight, and they just couldn’t get it done. If Allen has an average game, if they were a bit more efficient from the free-throw line, or if they were a big tougher on the glass – you’d think that Boston would have won this game. That is of course, if Derek Fisher didn’t add yet another chapter to his growing book of clutch performances.

Now I understand why Fisher thinks he still has a couple more seasons left in him.

You might have heard…this Summer’s free-agent crop is going to be one of the best of all time. Of course, we’re all familiar with the headliners: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer, Dirk Nowitzki, David Lee, etc. But the talent doesn’t end with these players, and teams who aren’t able to land one of these marquee names will have plenty left to pursue to improve their teams. Let’s take a look at some of the second-tier players who will be available this offseason:

Ray Allen (Unrestricted) – Allen is aging, but as last night’s record-setting (eight three-pointers) outing demonstrates he is still one of the premier shooters in the game. If it weren’t for the abundance of talent and unselfish team-concept that Boston has in place, Allen would likely still be putting up All-Star numbers and be considered to be a prized free agent. I’ve always dreamed of the damage that Allen could do in the run-and-gun system in Phoenix – it sure made Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson look better-than-advertised. You know that a Steve Nash and Ray Allen backcourt could be a thing of beauty.

Luis Scola (Restricted) – Does your team need a physical power-forward with solid low-post skills and a sweet mid-range jumpshot? Scola certainly could fit that bill. While Yao Ming has been out, Scola has often had to match up with much bigger players, and has done so admirably. He has great big-game experience from his international play, and is the type of player who doesn’t back down from anybody. Scola is also solid on the glass, and would make a great addition to most teams’ frontcourt. You will, however, have to put up with his long, wet hair if your team acquires him – but that’s a small price to pay.

Rudy Gay (Restricted) – While it’s rumored that Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley will do what he has to do to keep Rudy Gay in Memphis, he will be a prime target for many teams this off-season. He is a high-impact wing player who is nearly “go-to player” status, but won’t demand nearly as much money as the solidified stars in the league. There have already been rumblings that the Minnesota Timberwolves will make a hard run at acquiring the high-flying Gay. If your team needs a boost in scoring help, they could do worse than adding this 20 ppg stud.

Jermaine O’Neal (Unrestricted) – It wasn’t all that long ago that Jermaine O’Neal was one of the premiere centers in the league. Nagging injuries have slowed down O’Neal considerably, even frequently sitting out of games due to swelling in his knees. Although he is a shell of his former self, the fact of the matter is that truly versatile and talented big men are a rare commodity in this league. If O’Neal can stay even remotely healthy, he can be a boost to a team. He does a little bit of everything in the paint, and can even step out to mid-range a bit. He’s averaged just about 13 points and 7 rebounds per game in each of the last four seasons, and I think those are numbers you can expect to see him continue. At just 31-years old, he still has some tread left on the tires.

John Salmons (Early Termination Option) – Salmons was one of the key difference-makers in the Milwaukee Bucks’ remarkable season this year. Filling the big (injury-riddled) shoes of Michael Redd isn’t an easy task, but Salmons did it in stride. In fact, after the Bucks acquired Salmons, Milwaukee finished out the season with an impressive 22-8 record. He not only gave them an added scoring punch, he also improved their perimeter defense – a surefire way to get on the good side of coach Scott Skiles. Given how high his stock is right now, Salmons will almost certainly opt out of his contract in search of a more lucrative deal. While the Bucks will make a push to keep him, they’ll have to decide how they envision Salmons fitting into their long-term goals, and then decide what he’s worth to them.

Al Harrington (Unrestricted) – The whole New York Knicks free-agent situation is cloudy at best until they find out if they’ve got the goods to lure LeBron James to the Big Apple. Only then will New York know how much money they have to work with to resign any of their ten unrestricted free agents. Among them is Al Harrington, who has the capability to be a source of instant offense in the right system. He’s been a consistent scorer for most of his career, often taking advantage of slower forwards or defenders who can’t check him on the perimeter. Although he averaged nearly 18 ppg this season, he took on more of a bench role and could be looking to be a more integral part of a team.

Kwame Brown, Darko Milicic, Adam Morrison (Who Cares?) – I just thought I’d point out that any of these gems could be had for the right price. It’s your team’s chance to snag a former #1, #2 or #3 draft pick for pennies on the dollar. Milicic still holds one of my favorite NBA moments of the last five years. Who knows, maybe they have some untapped potential left in them? In all seriousness, I’d love to see Morrison get a fair shot at things, but I’m not holding out much hope.

Here’s the full list of upcoming free agents. What player are you hoping ends up on your team?