In joining the Celtics, Shaquille O'Neal couldn't look more desperate to add to his ring collection, Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin.
The idea of Shaquille O'Neal playing for Cleveland was stunning enough a year ago. But now the idea of O'Neal donning Celtics green and playing with Paul Pierce is a little hard for Bud Shaw to fathom. What's next, Derek Jeter with the Red Sox? Ray Lewis on the Steelers?CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After another busy week, it's time to take a trip through the Sunday Spin.
At this stage of his career, Shaq will sit on his butt and take nicknames.
Shaquille O'Neal's greeting to his fourth NBA city in four years was a Tweet.
"Hello green town, OK what u got 4 nicknames? make um good."
Ah, Shaq. We hardly knew ye.
Seriously. We didn't.
O'Neal acquitted himself well enough here. He played hard and efficiently until his thumb injury.
If you thought O'Neal held the same grudge you did against Boston for the injury that interrupted his season, well, just think how Lakers fans feel seeing him join the Celtics.
Shaq didn't think twice about becoming the Big Shillelagh. He was willing to accept the veteran minimum. When Jimmy Kimmel asked Shaq last week if he had trouble imagining himself in Celtics green after hitting such high notes as one of the greatest Lakers of all time, Shaq barely hesitated before saying, "No."
And so he goes to Boston in an attempt to end his career with another ring for the very thumb Big Baby Davis yanked out of sight when the refs weren't looking.
At least in principle, this is similar to one of the greatest players in the game willingly giving up his alpha dog status at age 25 to go chase titles with Dwyane Wade. It, too, flies in the face of rivalry.
Loyalty is an outdated concept in pro sports for good reason. The ownership-player relationship is first and foremost a business transaction. But rivalry? Rivalry, individual and team, should still count for something. It just doesn't. Not much anyway.
Maybe Shaq is too far removed from L.A. to think in terms of Celtics-Lakers as the NBA's ultimate Armageddon. In that case, as the proud owner of four NBA titles, he only looks pathetic in taking a backup fill-in role with the cast of "Cocoon II."
Shaq Part II: The Untold Story
O'Neal has burned bridges pretty much wherever he's gone. He's been far more petty than LeBron James.
He called Orlando "a dried-up little pond" when he bolted for Hollywood. Kobe Bryant wasn't the only one in L.A to feel his wrath. So did owner Jerry Buss. Even Phil Jackson took some shrapnel.
In Miami, he pretty much tore up the organization on his way out, save for Dwyane Wade, his meal ticket.
That's why it's so glaring that Shaq hasn't been heard from much on "The Decision," his year with the Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert's letter or James' left-handed layup and underhanded departure.
Maybe he liked everything about the place for the first time in his career?
Given how desperate he appears to win another title -- anywhere, anyhow -- this raises the possibility he might someday return to the Cavaliers as a 55-year-old hired gun and declare his intention to "Win a ring for the son of the king," LeBron James Jr.
This is not exactly the face that is providing a great deal of confidence in basketball fans in the Big Apple.What's the Knicks' next consulting hire? Bernie Madoff to look over the books?
Isiah Thomas is working for the New York Knicks again as a special consultant to the front office.
Imagine if he hadn't run the franchise into the ground as GM and head coach. The Knicks missed the playoffs every year from 2003-08, even though they led the league in payroll more than once.
Imagine if he hadn't cost the organization $11.6 milion in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former team employee.
If not for that, they might be rehiring him on the same day they commissioned his statue.
SPINOFFS
Tiger Woods is 11 over after three rounds at Firestone. That's his highest 54-hole total relative to par since turning pro. ... A guy overheard at Firestone: "I always wanted to play like Tiger. Now I do." ...
The South Florida Sun Sentinel asks the question, "Should the Heat Consider Larry Hughes?" I think I speak for those who are hoping the Heat's season ends like a laboratory experiment gone horribly wrong, by all means, yes...
The University of Kentucky is threatening legal action over a Chicago Sun-Times story claiming recruit Anthony Davis negotiated a deal to receive $200,000 from someone who wanted him to commit to the school. ... And, no, Kentucky haters, the school is not offended that $200,000 makes it look cheap ...
Jets' coach Rex Ryan signed "Soon to be champs" on the training camp-touring bus of ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. ... In New England, wide receiver Wes Welker wrote "One game at a time..." on the bus.
In Berea, Browns head coach Eric Mangini fought the urge to order Schefter back on the bus for a 10-hour ride to his camp in Hartford ...
Sources say Albert Haynesworth finally passed his conditioning test with the Washington Redskins on the fourth try. A report that he did the test on a moving sidewalk at Dulles is unconfirmed ...
He's coming, he's going, he's the football ghost who never quite fades away.YOU SAID IT
(The Expanded What-Would-Favre-Do Sunday Edition)
"Bud:
"Will Brett Favre hold a special on ESPN, a la LeBron, to announce whether or not he is going to retire? He might even be able to swing a deal to make it a weekly series." -- Bob H, Pittsburgh
"The Indecision" is rumored to be in the works. Favre both confirms and denies it.
"Hey Bud:
"Since ESPN should have its own Brett Favre channel, I just wondered, how many times have you retired?" -- Tom Hoffner
If by retired you mean fallen asleep while reading my own column, I will only admit to three times a week for 20 years.
"Bud:
"There is a striking resemblance between you and pro golfer Ricky Fowler. When playing golf or driving around town do you wear an oversized cap like Fowler?" -- Doug
Bartender, I'll have two of whatever he's drinking.
"Dear Bud:
"Other than #23 jerseys, is there any sports item cheaper than the Brett Favre retirement watch?" -- Michael Sarro
It depends. Is LeBron James' word considered an item?
"Hey, Bud:
"As a salve to crestfallen Cavs fans, I heard that Dan Gilbert is signing Kenny Rogers to a 5-year deal at his Under/Over Lounge in the new Gateway Casino. With this and the chalupas, I think we should be fine." -- Tiny Tim
Even better if the Indians get a few starts out of him.
"Bud:
"How long will it take Jake Westbrook to win his Cy Young Award?" -- Chas K.
Depends on whether Fausto Carmona gets traded to the National League.
"Bud:
"Whatever happened to LeBron's elbow? Did he get it "fixed"? -- Gary Whitcomb
Now. Now. That was a legitimate injury, suffered while patting himself on his back for his leadership.
"Bud:
"My brother who now lives in California emailed me after the [Indians] trades and said, "I always wondered how they came up with the name "Prospect Ave." -- Dave Sansone
First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.