In a thrilling turn of events just a couple of months ago, the Boston Celtics secured their 18th championship in franchise history, proving their dominance once again in the NBA. Defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, the Celtics reclaimed their spot at the top, breaking a championship drought that had been looming over the team since their last victory in 2008.
Led by the formidable trio of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, the Celtics had previously clinched their 17th championship by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in a gripping six-game series. Despite their stellar performance in the 2008 season, the Celtics had been unable to replicate that success in subsequent years, with two additional NBA Finals appearances resulting in losses to the Lakers in 2010 and the Golden State Warriors in 2020.
However, it was the 2010-11 season that left Celtics fans pondering “what if.” The team had high hopes of redeeming themselves after their Finals loss in 2010 and made a bold move by bringing in Shaquille O’Neal during the offseason. O’Neal, a legendary figure in the NBA, joined the Celtics with great expectations, but his tenure with the team, known as “Celtics Shaq,” was not as fruitful as anticipated. Despite his significant contributions in limited games, O’Neal’s impact was marred by injuries and inconsistency.
Reflecting on O’Neal’s time with the Celtics, Kevin Garnett recently shared his thoughts on how the team’s championship aspirations in 2011 were hindered by O’Neal’s injury woes. Garnett expressed belief that the Celtics would have secured the championship if O’Neal had remained healthy throughout the season.
O’Neal’s performance and presence on the court proved to be crucial for the Celtics, as his absence due to injuries significantly impacted the team’s gameplay. With a lack of depth in the center position following Kendrick Perkins’ trade, the Celtics struggled to find a suitable replacement. The team’s record when O’Neal played versus when he was sidelined underscored the importance of his contribution to their success.
Despite their impressive regular-season record and strong lineup, the Celtics ultimately fell short in the playoffs, succumbing to the Miami Heat in the second round. The tantalizing “what if” scenario of O’Neal’s health during the 2010-11 season continues to linger over Celtics fans, sparking debates on whether his presence would have propelled the team to greater heights.
While the outcome remains uncertain, one thing is clear – the Boston Celtics’ pursuit of another championship in 2011 was derailed by a series of unfortunate events, with O’Neal’s injuries playing a pivotal role in their playoff defeat. As the Celtics reflect on their past performances and the impact of key players like O’Neal, the question of whether their championship dreams could have been realized with a healthy O’Neal remains a topic of discussion among fans and analysts alike.
