Lebron James and the celts they’ve been in some legendary postseason battles over the years. That included a five-year stint when James faced the Celtics four times in the playoffs, twice with Cleveland and twice with Miami.
After Boston beat James while the forward was with Cleveland in 2008 and 2010, James got his revenge in 2011 and 2012 by beating the Celtics as a member of the team. Heat. However, a former Celtic believes Boston should have a series win over James’ Heat.
Shaquille O’Neal spent the final season of his NBA career with Boston, but injury limited him to just two playoff games in 2011. The Hall of Famer believes the injury cost the Celtics their chance to reach another NBA Finals.
“I always think if I hadn’t gotten hurt, at least we could have made it to the Finals,” O’Neal said, via Heavyby Steve Bulpett. “I always say that. i wish danny [Ainge] did not trade [Kendrick Perkins] that year, because, I mean, we were like number 1 all year.”
Specifically, O’Neal says he would have intimidated James and Dwyane Wade on the court.
“I was just a role player back then, but if it had come to this, I would have screwed over LeBron and D-Wade in the playoffs,” he said.. “I promise you I would have. That would have been my role. Like, as soon as they hit the hole, touch them up.”
That Celtics team had a 56-26 regular-season record, which ranked third in the East, just two games behind the Heat’s 58-24 record. Boston lost to Miami, 4-1, in the conference semifinals a year after beating James’ Cavs in the same round.
O’Neal played in 37 games his final season, totaling 9.2 points and a career-low 4.8 rebounds per game.
The Heat advanced to the 2011 NBA Finals, but ultimately lost to the Mavericks in six games.
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