Ranking the 5 worst Boston Celtics starters of the new ‘Big 3’ era

2. Jermaine O’Neal, Boston Celtics center 2010-12

Maybe the Celtics should just avoid signing anyone with the last name O’Neal from now on. When they brought in Jermaine O’Neal in the summer of 2010, the idea was to add depth at the center spot. But, once Shaquille O’Neal went down and Kendrick Perkins was traded away, the former Indiana Pacers star found himself in a bigger role than he’d bargained for.

In two seasons for the Cs, O’Neal started in 43 total games across the regular season and playoffs. He averaged 5.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest in 49 regular-season games for Boston. In the playoffs, his numbers were pretty similar, averaging 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.

To be honest, O’Neal was a serviceable option at center considering the circumstances. However, much like his namesake, injuries plagued him badly, during his time with the Celtics.

He missed 77 of a possible 126 regular-season games with the Cs over the course of two seasons. O’Neal’s tenure in Boston came to an end when he needed a season-ending knee surgery in March of 2012.

That summer, O’Neal departed in favor of joining the Phoenix Suns, before finishing his career with the Golden State Warriors a year later.

There was always promise for O’Neal’s time in Boston, but the injuries caught up to him and rendered him ineffective as a starter.