He was one of the most powerful forces ever in the NBA. He was one of the first to establish a broad off-court career that encompassed television, film, cartoons and even rap records. And now, the Los Angeles Lakers promise to retire his #34 jersey in honor of his stellar career.
Yes, Shaquille O’Neil, AKA “the BIG fella,” took to Twitter yesterday to announce that he is retiring after a 19-year career that took him from the Orlando Magic, to the Los Angeles Lakers, to the Miami Heat, to the Phoenix Suns, to the Cleveland Cavaliers, to the Boston Celtics.
Linked to his Twitter message was a short video, where Shaq delivered the bad news. “We did it — 19 years, baby,” O’Neal said in the video. “I want to thank you very much. That’s why I’m telling you first. I’m about to retire. Love you. Talk to you soon.”
A once unstoppable force in the paint, Shaq helped give Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat its first NBA championship, which only happened after multiple championships with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. But “the BIG fella” has been riddled with injuries in recent years, missing most of this past season with the Boston Celtics and unable to offer much in their short playoff run. Seeing the writing on the wall, Shaq realized 19-years was good enough and it was time for him to leave it all behind.
Shaq’s retirement will give the Celtics some much needed cap space to use on one or more players in his slot. And as mentioned, the Los Angeles Lakers will honor Shaq for giving them his best years, by retiring his jersey in an upcoming ceremony TBA.
Will Shaq go forward with his long discussed plans of becoming a policeman upon retirement? Or is a TV job, such as a TNT analyst with Charles Barkley and clan in his future? Only time will tell…
Hey Shaq thanks for the memories big man. Your gonna be missed.