Shaquille O'Neal, one of the most dominating big men in NBA history in his prime, has announced his retirement after a 19-year career that saw him win four NBA titles.
"Shaq" is best know for his partnership with Kobe Bryant at the Los Angeles Lakers between 2000 and 2002 which gave him three NBA titles.
The 39 year-old decided to retire after a nagging right Achilles tendon injury put an end to dreams of a come-back.
Alongside his retirement tweet O'Neal posted a video farewell message for fans: “We did it. Nineteen years, baby. I wanna thank you very much. That's why I'm telling you first: I'm about to retire. Love you, talk to you soon.”
Career highlights
Age: 39
College: Louisiana State University.
Drafted: First overall by the Orlando Magic in 1992.
Teams: Magic, Los Angles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
All-Stars selections: 15.
NBA championships: 4 (Lakers 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-2002; Heat 2005-06).
Most Valuable Player awards: 3.
Rookie of the year: 1992-93.
NBA MVP: 1999-2000.
"Shaq" was at his finest from 2000 through 2002 when he combined with star guard Kobe Bryant to guide the Los Angeles Lakers to three NBA crowns, and he added another in 2006 with Miami, two years after being traded to the Heat.
"im retiring," O'Neal posted on Twitter , which also included a video link in which he thanked his followers on the social media site.
O'Neal, 39, was nagged by injuries in the later seasons of his career, including failed stints to help bring titles to Phoenix, Cleveland and this season in Boston.
A nagging right Achilles tendon injury proved more than "Shaq" could overcome and he told an ESPN reporter who is working on a biography of him that he considered making a comeback but did not want to disappoint Celtics fans.
"I really thought about coming back but this Achilles is very damaged and if I had it done the recovery would be so long we'd have the same outcome as this last year - everyone sitting around and waiting for me," O'Neal said.
Shaq's retirement is expected, though. With all the injuries he had, he's not as productive as he was before. But the way he lorded over the hardcourt and broke backboards the intimidating way is indeed amazing. He's not the original superman for nothing.
ReplyDeleteCara Larose