Shaq on D&C: 'I would have played for free'

In an appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show, new Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal, who has made no less than $10 million in each of his last 14 NBA seasons, and at least $20 million in his last nine campaigns, said that he had no problem taking a pay cut in excess of 90 percent in order to come to the Celtics. O'Neal signed a two-year deal for approximately $3 million this summer, and he suggested that money was virtually irrelevant in making his decision to join Boston.

"I had other options where the money would have been greater. But this franchise, this team, has a tradition of winning," O'Neal said. "I’ve been one of the luckiest guys in the history of the game. I’ve had four max deals and one lifetime of play. So money wasn’t an issue. Money will never be an issue. But Danny Ainge had $1 million left, which was the minimum. If I had to, to come here and play, I would have played for free. Doesn’t matter to me."

O'Neal — who said that he wanted to be called The Big Shamrock while with the Celtics — also discussed whether he will be able to "blend in" in Boston both on and off the court, his bucket list and his experience of last year's Celtics-Cavaliers playoff series from Cleveland's perspective, among several other topics.

To listen to the complete interview, visit the Dennis & Callahan audio on demand page [1]. For the complete transcript, visit the Green Street blog [2]. For complete team coverage, visit weei.com/celtics [3].