3 Reasons Why Shaq Is A Good Fit For Boston

It's official, Shaquille O'Neal has agreed to a veteran minimum contract with the Boston Celtics and is scheduled to make 1.3 million a year for the next two years. When Shaq signs, you know what that means: the Celtics are looking to make one last push at a championship.
While some have complained that Shaq has been steadily declining and will slow the tempo to unbearably slow levels, I believe Shaq will prove to be a good addition to Boston. True, this isn't the Shaq of his prime that will average 28 and 11 a game, but the Celtics don't need that. Here's three reasons why Shaq will be a good addition.
1) Shaq won't be expected to play major minutes. Some people have forgotten that the Celtics also signed Jermaine O'Neal this offseason to play center. Shaq averaged 22 minutes a game last year. He'll be expected to log about the same this year until Kendrick Perkins returns. There's no reason why he shouldn't be able to do that. Shaq put up 12 points and 6 rebounds a game during the regular season playing less minutes than he's accustomed to. While he isn't as good defensively, Shaq's offensive numbers were better than Perkins', and Perkins played an average of five more minutes a game. The O'Neal-O'Neal combination is better offensively than the Perkins-Davis combo.
2) Shaq won't have to play a full season. The biggest criticism of Shaq over the years is that he's incapable of playing a full season. He's only exceeded the 60 game mark once in the last six seasons. It's perfectly legitimate to wonder if Shaq can hold up for an entire season, but he won't have to. Perkins is out until sometime in February. It's important that Shaq is in playing shape at the beginning of the regular season and can suit up for every game until Perkins returns. Once Perkins returns, Shaq can take time off while Perkins and Jermaine O'Neal share minutes at the center position. I don't think it's too much to expect for Shaq to stay in the lineup for three months, get some rest, and be ready for the playoffs.
3) Shaq helps the Celtics half-court game. Shaq isn't going to do the Boston's fastbreak any favors, but the Celtics don't need to rely on fastbreak points to win. In fact, they're very successful when they're able to slow the pace down and let Rondo create in the half-court game. Shaq will bring an inside presence that defenders have to respect. The same can't be said of Kendrick Perkins. Now with Shaq and KG in the paint, the Celtics have two legitimate scoring threats down low. Not to mention, they're both excellent passers, so they'll be able to either set each other up or kick it out to Pierce or Allen if they're double teamed.
Taking on Shaq at his age is always a risk. Phoenix took that risk in 2008 and it paid off. Things didn't work out so well for Shaq in Cleveland. Only time will tell how Shaq is able to blend in with the Celtics. Boston fans can take solace in the fact that Shaq will not be expected to play as big of a role for their team as he was expected to in his previous destinations.