Boston Celtics swoop for O'Neal

Kobe Bryant inspires LA Lakers to NBA Finals victory over Boston Celtics

Eastern Conference champions Boston Celtics have signed centre Shaquille O'Neal on a two-year contract.

Four-time NBA winner O'Neal had been a free agent after one season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But with centre Kendrick Perkins recovering from knee surgery, the Celtics moved swiftly to snap up the 38-year-old, 15-time All-Star.

"I cannot wait to get to Boston to get started in pursuit of another championship," said O'Neal.

The 7ft 1in star won three NBA titles with the LA Lakers in 2000, 2001 and 2003 as well as a fourth in 2006 with Miami Heat.

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O'Neal will line up alongside Boston's "Big Three" of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, as well as up-and-coming point guard Rajon Rondo and centre Jermaine O'Neal, who arrives from Miami.

"I have played against Paul, Ray, Kevin, Rajon, and Jermaine for many years and it will be great to be able to call them my team-mates," added O'Neal, who made his NBA debut for Orlando in 1992.

He holds a host of NBA honours and is second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the All-Star appearances list - the match which pits the best of the Eastern Conference against the Western Conference.

The Celtics will be hoping O'Neal's extensive experience can land them their 18th championship title.

They lost last season's finals 4-3 against the LA Lakers.

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