Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal ( also known as Shaq ) ( born March 6 , 1972 in Newark , New Jersey ) is a professional basketball player , actor and rapper . He plays for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) . . Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal ( ; born March 6 , 1972 ) , nicknamed `` Shaq '' , is an American professional basketball player for the NBA 's Boston Celtics .