Newest Celtic Jermaine O'neal

Boston Free Agency plan was to acquire at least another big man in replacement of their starting center Kendrick Perkins.

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The Boston Celtics officially signed Jermaine O'Neal on Wednesday.

"When the opportunity arose for me to join an organization like the Celtics, I could not refuse," said the 6-foot-11, 255-pound center. "I cannot wait to get to Boston and start to practice with the rest of the team in pursuit of a championship."

O'Neal says he's hungry for a ring and knows the Big Three and the remaining core from the 2008 title team are hungry for another, so that's why he chose Boston over other suitors.

"When he comes back, it's his position to have," O'Neal said. "I'm just here to do my job. I'm not trying to step on anybody's feet. I'm not trying to do anything to cause any issues. I'm here to win. That's just really what it boils down to.

"I probably wouldn't have wanted to back up anybody. But this situation is proven, and why come in and try to mess up something that's already proven?"

He, together with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, were the latest about Celtics free agency bonanza. Seems good enough roster to chase NBA Title, too early I guess.

Once a Celtic always a Celtic

After the Boston loss at NBA Championship, team captain declares himself for free agency.

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Paul Pierce will remain a Celtic.

The club has reached agreement with its captain on a new contract, according to sources. The deal is for four years at $61 million with certain options for both sides after the first three.

The papers cannot be signed and the deal cannot be officially announced until next week.

Hit the start of free agency the Boston management decided to extend their 2008 MVP for four more years.

Game 7

Was there really at stake for Paul Pierce when Celtics won or lost against the Lakers?

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Paul Pierce’s Legacy Will Be Affected
Now this may sound a little hypocritical but Paul Pierce’s legacy IS affected by the outcome of tonight’s game. Yes, Pierce has already accomplished a lot in the NBA and is probably a Hall of Fame player. He’s probably going to get his jersey retired by the Celtics someday too. But winning a second title and being a multiple NBA championship winner makes a huge difference in how you’re remembered. Once you’ve won more than one title, it’s sort of just piling up the wins and accomplishments. But making that leap is huge for how you’re remembered and Pierce knows that.

He wants to be remembered as one of the best Celtics of all-time and rightfully so. He’s had a great career in Beantown. He probably hears the way the older fans talk about Hondo, Cousy, Cowens Russell, Bird, etc. and wants to be mentioned in that group. A second title goes a long way into putting him in that end of the memory bank. Pierce has been sensational over his career. People don’t realize just how good he is. For a five-year stretch, he wasn’t just an incredible offensive talent that made a ton of clutch shots but he was also a pretty savvy defender that held his own with guarding the elite scorers in the NBA. Pierce needs this second title more than Kobe needs his fifth.

If so, then Paul Pierce must be putting a lot of pressure on himself. His already thinking about his legacy when he's game still good enough (game 5). I guess its not a good idea. When you're good enough you just play basketball to win and bring home the 18th banner. If legacy was important to you don't worry the world will talk about it decades from now.

Kobe on his in-game greatness. The best team win, nonetheless(the outclass-ing game).

I think everybody knew what happened in game 4 of NBA Finals, including the puncing. On how the Celtics subs ripped the Lakers starters on blue-collar plays. Led by none other than "Shrek and Donkey"

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Now it should be understood that Davis and Robinson never much knew each other before the late-season trade that liberated Robinson from the New York Knicks, the Celtics parting with the popular Eddie House, a hero of the ’08 championship run. Davis and Robinson were never college teammates, and never paired up in one of those glitzy, all-star high school tournaments. They never were cabin mates at the Five-Star, All-Around-the-World, You-Can-Be-a-Star Basketball Camp.

While Kobe was certain to do a lot of things on the court to proved his greatness. He can make a circus shot. He can make step-back three-point shoot. He can hang in the air and bank a shot at the board. Dunk the ball. He can score off the dribble to cross over then shoot and off the screen then shoot. He can post-up then fade away shot - count them in. He does the dream shake then fake and semi-hook. He has the deadliest mid-range jumper. He command his team as much as he does with the ball. But before greatness, I'll take the team with hustling defense of drooling Glen Davis. Tony Allen's defense. Ray Allen's veteran leadership, orchestrating the offense and the defense. Nate's quickness and the floater. Sheed's technical foul and long-three. Wanna bet?

NBA Finals Officiating at Worst?

Celtics can't win the NBA Finals in Game 5, which I blogged the last time. One reason was the officiating. According to Celtics Coach, Doc Rivers,

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"Last night, Paul was never in his rhythm. He couldn't be. He played for four minutes, he was back on the bench, played for five minutes. I mean, I played Paul at times last night when I should not have had him on the floor with four fouls, but I had no choice. You've got to get him on the floor at some point.

"But it clearly -- you know, we watched film today, and I showed Paul, it's funny. I said 'Paul, that's a driving lane. You've got to get to the basket.' His response was: 'I was worried about getting another foul.' It's tough to play that way." Through three games, the Celtics have been whistled for 84 personal fouls to the Lakers' 75. Pierce and Kevin Garnett have been whistled for 13 fouls apiece, while Lamar Odom of the Lakers leads all players with 14 personals. Odom has played an average of just 21 minutes per game after averaging nearly 30 minutes over the first three rounds of the postseason.

Does this help to deteriorate the quality of the NBA Game? Maybe, but don't hate the referee, hate the game!

My First Five NBA Tweeter User

If you are into NBA you may consider following players on their tweets.

Dwight Howard
Amare Stoudemire
Carmelo Anthony
Paul Pierce
Chris Paul

All accounts are verified.