Turkish GM: Shaq Plans to Play in Turkey

by Jay_King on Dec 8, 2010 10:01 AM EST

700 days.

That phrase has been Shaq's refrain since he joined the Boston Celtics. He would play 700 more days in the NBA, two more seasons, and try to win two more championships. Then, he would retire from the NBA for good, a legend walking away from the game he loves.

With Shaq's promise of 700 days in mind, take the following words of a Turkish GM with a grain of salt. (Hoops Notes, via Ajansspor.com)

After bringing Allen Iverson, Besiktas now pushed for the transfer of the Boston Celtics’ star Shaquille O’Neal. Seref Yalcin, GM of the Turkish club, said he was in the United States to meet with the center who said to him: "I want to be champion this season with Boston. But I’m coming to Turkey next year." [...]

“Some people will still come out and said ‘Shaq won’t come to Turkey’,” Yalcin added. “But the chances are very high.”

Shaq's defection would be most likely in the case of a lockout, and would be possible because the second year of his contract (according to Sham Sports) is a player option. The Big Diesel could still take his talents to Turkey if there is no lockout, but -- and I repeat -- he has always maintained his "700 days" stance. It seems unlikely he would skip out on his final year in Boston for a lesser league in a foreign country.

This news is weird, right? I definitely didn't wake up this morning with the thought, "Today, I bet Shaq declares his desire to play in Turkey."

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That is news....

I can understand Shaq maybe going if their is a lock out next year, but no way if their is not one.

I just do not see him wanting to leave this team for Turkey… especially if they win a banner this yerar.

Would like to get direct comments from Shaq for his take on the matter.

by fordescort on Dec 8, 2010 10:34 AM EST reply actions

I don't care if he plays in Turkey, China or Zimbabwe

but right now he is having trouble staying on the court longer than 4-5 game stretches without an injury ……

By the time he gets to Turkey he will actually be a crippled old turkey stuffed full of fat sage dressing…..sweating out mashed potatoes.

so I think he would play quite well alongside the boneless, spineless turkey wing named Allen Iverson.

Shaq could sit on the bench and get fatter and Allen Iverson could sit on the bench right beside him and sulk, cry and complain about practice.

Next!!!!!

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Dec 8, 2010 10:38 AM EST reply actions

Doubtful

2 yrs, 2 chances to win, 2 chances to leave the game on top, why would he leave that, this team to go play in Turkey?

by Warrior Spirit on Dec 8, 2010 10:38 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Only if there's a lockout.

That’s the part that’s left out of the story.

"Phil is obviously a good coach. You don't win that many games without being a damn good coach, ... Remember one thing: He's been very fortunate. He picks his spots. That's all I can say." - Red Auerbach

by Sizzlack on Dec 8, 2010 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

+1

by fordescort on Dec 8, 2010 10:50 AM EST up reply actions

+1

by fordescort on Dec 8, 2010 10:50 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe Shaq thought they said would you like to EAT some turkey?

Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk

by mcpu40 on Dec 8, 2010 10:39 AM EST reply actions

Looks like Shaq has a turkey in his sights in that picture

by vgarcia890 on Dec 8, 2010 10:59 AM EST up reply actions

no way

going to Turkey would make him a laughing stock
and soil his NBA career.

by Snowball on Dec 8, 2010 11:54 AM EST reply actions

Not gonna happen

Shaq has made close to a half-billion dollars since 1992.

He`s not going to travel half-way around the globe, at age 40, to chase a few dollars, while playing uninspired ball in total obscurity.

by Title 18 on Dec 8, 2010 11:58 AM EST reply actions

I can't see this happening either

If they win the championship this season and there’s a lockout I don’t see why he would go over there. He’d be ending his career on the perfect note, and in the event that the lockout turned into a shortened season like in ‘98-’99 he wouldn’t give up the chance for a sixth ring to one-up Kobe.

When did this Turkish GM meet with him? There’s no dates in that article.

by Josh88 on Dec 8, 2010 1:49 PM EST reply actions

If there's a lockout, why not?

Then he’ll come back to the Cs in the post-lockout year, and rationalize that he meant “700 days of NBA basketball.”

I get the feeling he really likes it here, and we’ll get our 2 years worth.

But I wouldn’t blame him for visiting Turkey for a year; it’s a beautiful country, and they love basketball.

"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark

by Eeyore III on Dec 8, 2010 2:25 PM EST reply actions

would love to know what shaq said exactly

by friedgreentomatoes on Dec 8, 2010 2:33 PM EST reply actions

i think its definitely happening...

if the celtics win the title. lockout or no lockout. shaqs getting old and would probably love to have the experience of spending quality time in a foreign country. im no scholar of turkey but apparently it’s a really nice place. i know that shaqs favorite holiday is turkey day and perhaps he plans to migrate like a turkey to the country of turkey and eat its bountiful supply of its number one resource, turkey. who could blame the man?

"antoine, for three. GOT IT!"

by bustthewiggle on Dec 8, 2010 4:26 PM EST reply actions

Not gonna happen

For one sure-fire reason:

Shaq is playing for his legacy now. He has already stated his knowledge of his stats vs the all-time leaders. IE: Rebounds, points scored, games played etc etc. and he wants to get as high up the ladder as he can.

A second reason.

I doubt very, very much there is a lockout next year. Management and unions always talk that way when a old labor agreement is expiring. A lot of the NBA players are bright and can figure out what a limited number of years to play vs a potential increase in ‘something’ (vet years, vet rights, rookie whatevers) will do to their overall pocketbook. And quite a few of the ‘big boys’ are also watching their lifetime stats. (You think guys like Duncan, Kobe, KG, PP etc etc want a lockout?)For Shaq, see above paragraph.

by Dipper on Dec 8, 2010 4:58 PM EST up reply actions