Shaquille O’ Neal rooting for Dwyane Wade and LeBron James in the NBA Finals
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the greatest centres who graced the game of basketball. The very recently retired big man was also one of the most colourful personalities the NBA has ever seen. His presence on the court and off it was
monumental in equal measure. Since his retirement, many players, past and present, have thanked Shaquille for his contribution to the league.
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are two such players. Wade and LeBron have both been former teammates of Shaq and expressed their views on the big guy’s retirement. Dwyane Wade played with Shaq for four years, during which time the
Miami Heat won their only NBA World Championship.
The Heat honoured Shaq by playing a video montage of his time with the franchise during a time out in the first quarter of the NBA Finals game-2 on Thursday. Wade said about his former teammate,
"As a teammate, as I've always been, I was just always appreciative of the opportunity to play with one of the greats to ever put on an NBA jersey, I really learned a lot from him as a professional.”
LeBron, with whom “The Diesel” played in the 2009-2010 season at the Cleveland Cavaliers, always had a fond relationship with Shaquille and had this to say after the latter announced his retirement,
"His 19 years in this league goes unprecedented, what he was able to do for this league, not only on the court but off the court," James said. "I think he's probably one of the only big men to ever play this game to be able to
market and to be able to be marketable off the court.”
After receiving the high praise from his two former teammates and current superstars, Shaquille O’Neal showed his gratitude through a video posted on a social networking website. In the video Shaq thanked the two players for their
kind word. O'Neal said he saw what the duo had said about him, his response? "Appreciate it very much.”
He then went on to wish them the best in their future endeavours and told them to win the NBA World Championship this year. Shaquille also praised the two as top players of the game.
“It was an honour playing with you two guys. You guys made me better. You guys are legends, future Hall of Famers. Go get that ring, baby. Love you guys. Peace.”
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade face the Dallas Mavericks in the ongoing NBA Finals 2011. Wade already has one championship ring from the 2006 season but King James is looking to win his first. Shaq tried to help James win one in
2010 but the Boston Celtics knocked them out in the playoffs back then. The inspiration for the championship ring has seen James and Wade raise their game in the playoffs. They are just one step away from it now and have to do it for the Big Shaq.
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