Editing Shaquille O'Neal (section)

===Boston Celtics (2010–2011)===
[[File:Shaquille O'Neal.JPG|thumb|O'Neal with the [[Boston Celtics]] in October 2010]]
Upon hearing Bryant comment that he had more rings than O'Neal, [[Wycliffe Grousbeck|Wyc Grousbeck]], principal owner of the [[Boston Celtics]], saw an opportunity to acquire O'Neal.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/09/19/grousbecks_faith_goes_right_down_to_the_core/?page=full
| title = Grousbeck's faith goes right down to the core
| first = Gary
| last = Washburn
| quote = "The minute I heard Kobe [Bryant] say he had one more ring than Shaq, I said to Danny, 'Let's go get Shaq,' and it happened", said Grousbeck.
| date = September 19, 2010
| newspaper = The Boston Globe
| access-date = October 14, 2010
| archive-date = September 22, 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100922195015/http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/09/19/grousbecks_faith_goes_right_down_to_the_core/?page=full
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Celtics coach [[Doc Rivers]] agreed to the signing on the condition that O'Neal would not receive preferential treatment, nor could he cause any locker room problems like in Los Angeles or Miami.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], pp. 243–44.</ref> On August 4, 2010, the Celtics announced that they had signed O'Neal.<ref>{{cite news|author=Boston Celtics|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/press080410-celtics-sign-shaq.html|title=Celtics Sign Shaquille O'Neal|publisher=NBA.com/Celtics|date=August 4, 2010|access-date=August 4, 2010|archive-date=August 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814092435/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/press080410-celtics-sign-shaq.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The contract was for two years at the veteran minimum salary for a total contract value of $2.8&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news 
 |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/08/05/shaq_aboard_for_two_years/ 
 |title=Shaq aboard for two years 
 |first=Gary 
 |last=Washburn 
 |quote=All Ainge had to offer was the veteran minimum of $1.35&nbsp;million, and O'Neal compromised by accepting that on a two-year deal. 
 |date=August 5, 2010 |newspaper=The Boston Globe 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006161809/http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/08/05/shaq_aboard_for_two_years/
 |archive-date=October 6, 2010 |access-date=November 9, 2010 |url-status=live
 }}</ref> O'Neal wanted the larger [[mid-level exception]] contract, but the Celtics chose instead to give it to [[Jermaine O'Neal]].<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p. 241.</ref> The [[Atlanta Hawks]] and the [[Dallas Mavericks]] also expressed interest but had stalled on O'Neal's salary demands.<ref>{{cite news 
 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/24/sports/basketball/24shaq.html?_r=1 
 |title=Multiple Nicknames; Dwindling Openings 
 |first=Howard 
 |last=Beck 
 |quote=The Dallas Mavericks had interest, but balked at O'Neal's salary demands. 
 |date=July 23, 2010 |newspaper=The New York Times 
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525022959/https://www.webcitation.org/5uIrmSv92?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/24/sports/basketball/24shaq.html%3F_r=2
 |archive-date=May 25, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2010 |url-status=live
 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news 
 |url=http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2010/08/05/atlanta-hawks-no-shaq-now-what/?cxntfid=blogs_hawks 
 |title=Atlanta Hawks: No Shaq . . . now what? 
 |first=Michael 
 |last=Cunningham 
 |quote=Atlanta also wasn't willing to pay Shaq more than the minimum and that was a sticking point for him. 
 |date=August 5, 2010 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209171203/http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2010/08/05/atlanta-hawks-no-shaq-now-what/?cxntfid=blogs_hawks
 |archive-date=December 9, 2010 |access-date=November 17, 2010 
 }}</ref> He was introduced by the Celtics on August 10, 2010, and chose the number 36.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/08/11/a_large_addition_to_celtics_sizeable_history/ |title=A large addition to Celtics' sizeable history |publisher=www.boston.com |access-date=August 10, 2010 |first=Dan |last=Shaughnessy |date=August 11, 2010 |archive-date=August 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814140823/http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/08/11/a_large_addition_to_celtics_sizeable_history/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

O'Neal said he did not "compete with little guys who run around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a night—like D–Wade, Kobe." O'Neal added that he was only competing against Duncan: "If [[Tim Duncan]] gets five rings, then that gives some writer the chance to say 'Duncan is the best,' and I can't have that."<ref name=macmullan_20100927>{{cite web
| url = https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/columns/story?columnist=macmullan_jackie&id=5620537
| title = Shaq ready to leave mark in Boston
| first = Jackie
| last = MacMullan
| author-link = Jackie MacMullan
| quote = But I don't compete with little guards. I don't compete with little guys who run around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a night – like D-Wade, Kobe.
| date = September 27, 2010
| work = ESPN
| access-date = October 14, 2010
| archive-date = October 1, 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101001003218/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/columns/story?columnist=macmullan_jackie&id=5620537
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Publicly, he insisted he did not care whether he started or substituted for the Celtics, but expected to be part of the second unit.<ref name=macmullan_20100927/> Privately, he wanted to start, but kept it to himself.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p. 244.</ref> O'Neal missed games throughout the season due to an assortment of ailments to his right leg<ref name=may>{{cite news |last=May |first=Peter |title=Celtics Creak Toward Postseason, Hoping They Have Legs for a Run |date=April 11, 2011 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=D7 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/11/sports/basketball/11celtics.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606094416/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/11/sports/basketball/11celtics.html?_r=1 |archive-date=June 6, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> including knee,<ref>{{cite news |last=Forsberg |first=Chris |title=Shaquille O'Neal starts vs. Heat |date=November 11, 2010 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5792098 |access-date=March 22, 2011 |archive-date=November 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114154533/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5792098 |url-status=live }}</ref> calf,<ref>{{cite news |last=Forsberg |first=Chris |title=Celtics get Shaquille O'Neal back |date=December 19, 2010 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5936008 |access-date=March 22, 2011 |archive-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222031626/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5936008 |url-status=live }}</ref> hip,<ref>{{cite news |last=Forsberg |first=Chris |title=Shaquille O'Neal injures hip |date=January 22, 2011 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6046855 |access-date=March 22, 2011 |archive-date=January 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125100641/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6046855 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Achilles injuries.<ref>{{cite news |last=Payne |first=Greg |title=Shaq says he's 85 percent; out another week |date=March 7, 2011 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4681422/shaq-says-hes-85-percent-out-another-week |access-date=March 22, 2011 |archive-date=March 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311112704/http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4681422/shaq-says-hes-85-percent-out-another-week |url-status=live }}</ref> The Celtics traded away center [[Kendrick Perkins]] in February partially due to the expectation that O'Neal would return to fill Perkins' role. The Celtics were 33–10 in games Perkins had missed during the year due to injury,<ref name=may/> and they were 19–3 in games that O'Neal played over 20&nbsp;minutes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Payne |first=Greg |title=Doc Rivers: Timing of trade was off |date=May 16, 2011 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6555870 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519092858/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6555870 |archive-date=May 19, 2011 }}</ref> After requesting a [[cortisone]] shot, O'Neal returned April 3 after missing 27&nbsp;games due to his Achilles; he played only five minutes due to a strained right calf.<ref name=may/><ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]] p. 256.</ref> It was the last regular season game he would play that year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amare Stoudemire back as Celts' reserves top Knicks' second string |date=April 13, 2011 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |work=ESPN |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=310413002 |access-date=April 14, 2011 |quote=Shaquille O'Neal, who has played 5 minutes, 29 seconds since Feb. 1, also sat out. |archive-date=April 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417152245/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=310413002 |url-status=dead }}</ref> O'Neal missed the first round of the [[2011 NBA Playoffs|2011 playoffs]]. He insisted on more cortisone shots and returned in the second round, but he was limited to 12&nbsp;minutes in two games as the Heat eliminated the Celtics from the playoffs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Forsberg |first=Chris |title=Report card: Shaquille O'Neal |date=May 18, 2011 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4684171/report-card-shaquille-oneal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521043123/http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4684171/report-card-shaquille-oneal |archive-date=May 21, 2011 }}</ref><ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan]] p. 257.</ref>

On June 1, 2011, O'Neal announced his retirement via social media.<ref>{{cite web |last=MacMullen |first=Jackie |date=June 1, 2011 |title=Shaquille O'Neal announces retirement |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6615886 |access-date=June 1, 2011 |website=ESPN |archive-date=June 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602162755/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6615886 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=giles>{{cite news |last=Olivarez-Giles |first=Nathan |title=Shaq announces NBA retirement on Twitter, using Tout iPhone app [Updated]|date=June 1, 2011 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/06/shaq-announces-nba-retirement-on-twitter-using-tout-iphone-app.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603214631/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/06/shaq-announces-nba-retirement-on-twitter-using-tout-iphone-app.html |archive-date=June 3, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> On a short video on [[Twitter]], O'Neal tweeted, "We did it. Nineteen years, baby. I want to thank you very much. That's why I'm telling you first. I'm about to retire. Love you. Talk to you soon." On June 3, 2011, O'Neal held a press conference at his home in Orlando to officially announce his retirement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 3, 2011 |title=Shaq: 'It is time for me to begin my new life' |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/06/03/shaq.retires/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610042955/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/06/03/shaq.retires/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 10, 2011 |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>