Shaquille O’ Neal retires from NBA
After nineteen long years of service, filled with honours, accomplishments, controversies and championships, one of the most dominating centres ever to grace the courts of NBA, Shaquille O’ Neal has finally decided to draw a curtain on his illustrious career and has said good-bye for one last time. However, even while retiring, Big Shaq adopted an unconventional way and instead of calling in a press conference, he announced his intentions via Twitter.
In his last year with Boston Celtics, O’ Neal averaged 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in nearly 20 minutes of play. In a well travelled career, the Big Cactus graced the jerseys of Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston.
In a rather emotional message, he said "I'm going to miss the competition. I am going to miss, you know, the chase for the ring. You know, I'm actually going to miss everything.”
Shaq has left the game with many records and four championship rings. But more importantly, he gave the league a new identity and effectively became the face of NBA.
The commissioner of NBA, David Stern thanked Shaq on behalf of the league and said, "On behalf of the NBA, its teams, and his millions of fans around the world, I want to thank Shaq for everything he has meant to the league and to the sport of basketball, both on and off the court. We wish him and his family all the best."
In his illustrious career, the Big Shaq won the MVP award in 1999-00 season. He also won the rookie of the year award in his every first season and then went on to bag 15 All-Star game selections, three All-Star Game MVP awards, three Finals MVP awards, two scoring titles, 14 All-NBA team selections, and three NBA All-Defensive Team selections.
Shaq is one of the three players in the history of the league to win an NBA MVP, All-Star game MVP, and Finals MVP awards in the same year (2000). He is the fifth highest all-time scorer with 28,596 points on a 0.582 field goal percentage. The prolific post player ranks 12th in rebounds with a mammoth total of 13,099 and seventh overall in blocks.
The Miami Heat president Pat Riley, who coached Shaq in the 2006 and guided him in winning title, was all praise for him, "I'm a little bit sad," "It's the end of an absolute 20-year career. Great, great player. ... The league is going to miss Shaq. I'm sure Shaq will do something big and beyond."
Pat Riley was not the only legend, Shaq served under. Phil Jackson, under whom O’Neal achieved a three-peat, also paid tribute. Highlighting the humorous aspect of Shaq’s personality, Phil said, "He was outrageous," "When he was in a good mood, he kept everybody happy." “When he wasn't, you knew why the Lakers coaches also called him the Big Moody.”
Besides ruling the basketball world, Shaq showcased his abilities as a singer and an actor also. He released four rap albums and appeared in numerous films besides starring in his own reality shows. He was one of the most colourful personalities in the league and a heartthrob of media. There is no doubt that his services will be missed.
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