Shaquille O’Neal Announces Retirement From the NBA: Fan Reaction

After 19 exciting years within the NBA, former Los Angeles Laker and present Boston Celtic massive man Shaquille O'Neal(notes) has decided to hang up his sneakers. On June 1, Shaq announced his retirement via Twitter, telling his fans/followers that he wanted them to hear it directly from him very first. Regardless of the bumpy road full of detours that Shaq has gone down because he 1st entered the league in 1992, he has my utmost respect for all the historic moments and gut-wrenching games that he was a component of.

Shaquille O’Neal Announces Retirement From the NBA: Fan Reaction
Shaquille O’Neal Announces Retirement From the NBA: Fan Reaction


Drafted with the initial overall pick within the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, Shaq instantly became a dominant force inside the paint. Standing at 7'1'' and weighing over 300 pounds, Shaq could never be taken lightly. Despite his early impact for the Magic, it was nothing compared to the shockwaves that he would end up sending by means of the Lakers' organization right after signing with them as a totally free agent in 1996.

His time using the Lakers from 1996-2004 was when he hit his peak. In the course of that section of his career, he was a vital piece to the Lakers' three-peat run from 2000-2002. He was a force in the middle of the Lakers' lineup and teamed with Kobe Bryant(notes) to form 1 of one of the most dynamic duos ever within the history of the NBA. In Los Angeles, his inability to make absolutely free throws and frequency of acquiring fouled helped coin the term "Hack-a-Shaq". His legacy was built throughout his days as a Laker, proving himself worthy of being on the list of the team's finest players of all time, which is organization that most players can only dream about. Even so, a lack of communication and teamwork between him and Bryant would eventually lead to his departure from Los Angeles and his arrival as component of the Miami Heat.

During his four seasons with the Heat, he managed to earn himself one more ring though teaming up with dynamic scorer Dwayne Wade. In 2006, Shaq added one more ring to his trophy case with an inspiring Finals victory over the Dallas Mavericks. On the other hand, as his career wore on in Miami, it continued to develop into much more and more obvious that he wasn't the exact same Shaq we all saw in the course of his days as a component of the Lakers' historic dynasty.

Following he left Miami in 2008, he turned into a journeyman. Throughout the next 3 seasons, he would skip from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Phoenix Suns, ending using the Boston Celtics. It appeared as although he was seeking the team using the most possible for him to add a different ring to his collection. On the other hand, it never panned out as Miami's 2006 Finals victory would be his last. How ironic that a player most identified for his time using the Lakers would end his career wearing the green and white of the Celtics.

All through his soon-to-be Hall-of-Fame career, Shaq amassed one of essentially the most impressive and noteworthy r©sum©s the NBA has ever seen. Throughout 19 seasons, he compiled four Championship rings, 3 Finals MVP Awards, 1 NBA MVP Award, was named to the All-Star team 15 times and was awarded the 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He is presently fifth on the NBA all-time scoring list with 28,596 points (728 ahead of Bryant). His 58.2 field goal percentage is second-best in NBA history only to Artis Gilmore's 59.9 percent. He also stands at seventh on the all-time blocks list with 2,732 and thirteenth on the all-time rebounds list with 13,099.

Despite his phenomenal performances on the court, he was also recognized for his several ventures off of it. From a stint as a rapper, to several appearances on the big screen, all the method to his endeavors in law enforcement, it seemed like Shaq was often trying out something new beyond the borders of the basketball court. Now that's playing days are over, we can only speculate as to where his life will lead him next. He has shown interest in becoming an MMA fighter as well as a teacher, so who knows which road he will follow. Either way, this absolutely won't be the last we will hear of the huge man that has aggressively etched his name into NBA history.

His playing days have undoubtedly culminated into 1 of essentially the most illustrious careers that the NBA has ever or will ever see. Wherever his ambitions take him next, we're certain to be hearing about it for years to come. The league, coaches, players and fans bid farewell to 1 of one of the most exciting and dominant players to ever grace the hardwood.

Gil Alcaraz IV has been a diehard Los Angeles Lakers fan because Phil Jackson initial landed within the City of Angels back in 1999, bleeding purple and gold all along the way. For more sports coverage,

Shaquille O’Neal Announces Retirement From the NBA: Fan Reaction

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