BOSTON -- Shaquille O'Neal, one of the most storied basketball stars in the game's history, was welcomed to Boston on Tuesday by the Boston Celtics saying he's willing to be less of a star and more of a team player in order to help the Green win another NBA title.

O'Neal held up his No. 36 Celtics jersey and said he was honored to play on the same team that one of his idols, Celtics great Bill Russell, played on.

"I'm very honored to be here. Obviously, the franchise has a rich tradition of winning. For me it wasn't really a tough decision to make. I just wanted to be with a great team. Wanted to continue to win," O'Neal said. "I think I'll be a good fit."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said O'Neal will be a key piece in next season's quest for a championship.

"Bottom line is, we're looking at Shaq as another piece of the puzzle. We're trying to put a puzzle together to make another title run," Rivers said.

The 7 foot, 1 inch, 345-pound ball player, who's often been known for his larger-than-life star antics, both on and off the court, wore a conservative pinstripe suit and talked about how he was honored and privileged to play on the team that's won more NBA titles than any other.

"I know a lot about the Celtics. I know they play hard. I know they're a bunch of guys who sacrifice and play together and I know they play to win," O'Neal said.

When asked if he could fit in with the "Big 3" stars already on the team -- Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen -- he said he had no doubt he could.

"You know, the roles I've had on previous teams were different. I realize I'm much older now and this team's a good team with or without me," O'Neal said. "You know, sometimes in order to win you have to sacrifice and I don't mind sacrificing, 'cause at the end of the day, it's all about winning."

Garnett, he said, had even flown to Boston from Hawaii to support him as he accepted his jersey.

Rivers said O'Neal will help where the Celtics struggled during the regular season and the playoffs, on the glass.

"There's a lot of areas where he can help our basketball team and size is one of them. We've filled that void pretty well today," Rivers said.

O'Neal, at 38, dispelled talk that he may be too old and no longer ambitious enough to help the Celtics snag another championship.

"Do I have the same hunger? Yes. If I didn't I wouldn't be here. I don't like wasting people's time and I don't like wasting my time," he said, saying he wants to play for two-to-three more years.

"I'm going to give it all I've got and I think Doc and the people will see that I still have hunger, still can play, I'm still trying to win."

He said it's important to him to end his career as a winner.

"When I came in I always wanted to compete with the Bill Russells for titles. That's not going to happen but I'd like to almost get half of what he's got," O'Neal said.

"When I'm done and I close my book, I'd like to have five or six championships," he said.

O'Neal has been a member of four NBA championship teams -- the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000, 2001 and 2002; and the Miami Heat in 2006.

"Shaq has a heck of a legacy and to get another title would cement it, and I really want to help him achieve that goal," Rivers said.

O'Neal said he isn't sure what kind of a nickname he may adopt with his new team, although he's been leaning toward "The Big Shamroq."