Shaq Is Coming To Boston

Published August 4, 2010

In this Oct. 27, 2009, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Shaquille O'Neal (33) tries to pass around Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett during an NBA basketball game in Cleveland. A person with knowledge of the negotiations says the Celtics are making progress on a deal that would bring O'Neal to Boston. The person spoke with The Association Press on the condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet final. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

This guy! (AP)

WCVB broke the news this morning on Facebook:

SHAQ ATTACK! Mike Lynch has learned that Shaquille O’Neal has agreed to play with the Celtics.

…which prompted my Gchat conversation with WBUR intern and sports nut Jeremy Bernfeld (@jeremybernfeld). I’m just pasting it here.

Andrew Phelps: dude, Shaq?

Jeremy Bernfeld: good GOD man.

Jeremy Bernfeld: how many washed-up O’Neals do we need on the Celtics?

Jeremy Bernfeld: (burn)

Andrew Phelps: ok revealing the limits of my sports knowledge: who is the other o’neal

Jeremy Bernfeld: It’s an inner struggle, like in a Greek tragedy, and it makes me confused. Tell me it’s not my fault, Andrew, it’s not my fault!

Jeremy Bernfeld: haha i figured that was coming

Jeremy Bernfeld: Jermaine O’Neal

Andrew Phelps: do you think the average reader knows who that is

Jeremy Bernfeld: signed this offseason after playing w/ the Heat last year

Jeremy Bernfeld: meh, probably not.

Jeremy Bernfeld: if they follow NBA they know him, for sure

Jeremy Bernfeld: was a superstar and involved in the brawl at the Palace a few years ago (players fighting fans in the stands)

Jeremy Bernfeld: so ppl know him

Jeremy Bernfeld: but i also bet most people will say: “woah, the C’s signed Jermaine O’Neal? Wait, Jermaine O’Neal is still alive?”

Andrew Phelps: hahaha

Andrew Phelps: I’m just posting this whole conversation

Shaq calls himself “The Big Aristotle.” I call him the star of “Kazaam,” a rappin’ genie with an attitude!

Update: I find it amusing that Shaq’s “location” on Twitter (@THE_REAL_SHAQ) is CLEVELAND/EVERYWHERE, seeing as he’s played for every team in America.