The Boston Celtics are built in the reverse model of the Miami Heat. It is true that both teams have a “Big Three,” but while Miami’s is bigger in terms of media attention, Boston’s is bigger physically. In the offseason it was clear that with LeBron James taking his talents to South Beach the Celtics would need to power up in some fashion so that they could compete with the supposed all star team of the East.

President of Celtics Basketball Operations Danny Ainge did his research after the James signing and quickly concluded that size in the frontcourt is what his club needed to stifle the Miami offense. But he had to make some replacements: 6’11’’ Rasheed Wallace retired after the Celtics’ 2009-2010 season, having helped in the Greens’ playoff run and in their Finals appearance against the Los Angeles Lakers; 6’10’’ Kendrick Perkins needed knee surgery after last year’s campaign, and still has yet to return to the C’s lineup; and 6’11’’ Kevin Garnett has been plagued with injuries while in a Boston uniform, something that has not changed this season.

So Ainge dipped into the free agent market. The Celtics’ President signed two famous O’Neal’s: 7’1’’ Shaquille O’Neal and 6’11’ Jermaine O’Neal. For years both players have had MVP like seasons in the NBA. However, age has not been kind to either of them. Both Shaq and Jermaine have struggled this year to keep healthy, and the latter may have season-ending knee surgery, per a report released on January 15th. Jermaine O’Neal will seek a second opinion on the prospect of knee surgery, but for now (though the forward would like to play) his return this season is not imminent.

And with that, attention turns back to Wallace. Shaq had a great game in the Celtics’ last contest (23 points, 5 blocks and 5 rebounds), giving Boston fans a vintage look at an aging athlete, but one cannot count on The Big Shamroq to continue at that pace. Rasheed Wallace could provide the C’s with another big man off of the bench; he could be an adequate replacement for his own replacement, Jermaine O’Neal.

Should Jermaine need surgery, the Celtics will need to look at options. A recent report from NBA insider Steven A. Smith held that ‘Sheed would not object to returning to basketball, and might welcome suiting up for the Boston Irish again. Nothing has come to fruition after this report as of yet, but this is almost assuredly due to Ainge keeping his talks with players hushed.

Last year ‘Sheed averaged nine points per game in 22.5 minutes. Wallace participated in 79 games, chipping in at least an assist, a steal and four rebounds in each of his efforts. It is true that ‘Sheed has perhaps launched one too many ill advised three-pointers and has yelled at a few too many referees in his career, but the time he spent on the floor clogging the middle of the lane and scoring nine points per in 2010 cannot go unnoticed.

It is certainly important that the Celtics get younger talent. But the play this offseason called by Ainge was one last good shot at banner number 18. If there is a better option than Wallace on the free agent market for this purpose, let him show himself. Unless that happens, if Ainge signs ‘Sheed again, C’s fans cannot knock the decision.