* SHAQ: MIAMI'S 'BIG 2': Making his analyst debut Tuesday as part of NBA TV's coverage of the 2011-12 schedule release, former Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal didn't waste any time attracting headlines by jabbing Miami forward Chris Bosh. From the Associated Press:
Shaq blasts Bosh
Shaq blasts Bosh
Shaq blasts Bosh
During NBA TV's show Tuesday to announce the league's schedule for the 2011-12 season -- one jeopardized by a lockout -- O'Neal referred to the Heat as having a "Big 2." Since Bosh, Wade and James teamed up in Miami, they've been called the "Big 3" in many circles.
"The Miami Heat, they've got a lot of great players, the `Big 2.' They will be back," O'Neal said from Louisiana during the broadcast, when discussing the NBA finals and how Dallas was able to beat Miami for the title. "LeBron James is taking a lot of criticism, but I know LeBron very well. He hears everything that everyone is saying, so I think he's going to come back and have an MVP year this year."
During his debut, Shaq also again squashed any thoughts of a return to the hardwood next season, but predicted a strong campaign for Boston. He did opine that an "underdog" would emerge as NBA champ, however.
* 5-ON-5: SCHEDULE THOUGHTS: In the latest edition of ESPN.com's 5-on-5 series, five writers tackle five questions about the 2011-12 schedule. A couple Celtics references sprinkled in among the questions, including whether the team should be playing on the league's opening night (Mavericks vs. Bulls opens the season and Boston debuts a night later vs. Cleveland).
* C'S LOSE COACHING ASSOCIATE, VIDEO COORDINATOR: Celtics coaching associate Darren Erman is expected to join the Golden State Warriors as an assistant coach next season, as first reported by Yahoo! on Tuesday. Earlier this week, Harvard announced that Celtics video coordinator Brian Adams will join its men's basketball staff as an assistant coach. While much of the offseason front office focus is on whether top assistant Lawrence Frank will be back with the team, the Celtics are losing two diligent workers that did a lot to aid the team behind the scenes.
