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Shaquille O'Neal Retires From NBA
NBA Veteran Big Man Calls It Quits
NBA veteran and future Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal announced his retirement on Wednesday.
"I'm going to miss the competition. I'm going to miss, you know, the chase for the ring. You know, I'm actually going to miss everything," said O'Neal on SportsCenter.
O'Neal, 39, announced his retirment to his fans via a social media tool called Tout, saying, "We did it. Nineteen years baby. 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."
Ranked fifth on the all-time scoring list, O'Neal was a prolific scorer throughout his 19-year career. He was also a highly productive defensive player, ranking 12th all-time in rebounds and 7th all-time in blocks.
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O'Neal played for various teams throughout his career, including most notably the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami Heat, and the Boston Celtics. He won three NBA Finals titles with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers and one with Dwyane Wade and the Heat. He spent his final year playing for the Celtics, although the team failed to reach the semi-finals.
"It was a pleasure to play with the Big Fella," said Celtics teammate Kevin Garnett in a statement. "It was most definitely a life experience. My big brother from a different mother. It's love all day and I wish him nothing but the best. The game's gonna miss you. Look out world, here comes Shaq."
NBA Commissioner David Stern said, "He's a giant. He's physically imposing; he has an imposing smile. In the game, he imposed his will, and he has done it for quite a long time. It's been a great run here, and we're going to miss him greatly. We hope we can find ways to keep him involved in the game."
He later added in a statement, "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."
Heat President and Shaq's former coach Pat Riley said, "I'm a little bit sad. It's the end of an absolute 20-year career. Great, great player. ... The league's going to miss Shaq. I'm sure Shaq will do something big and beyond."
LeBron James, who played alongside Shaq for one year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, tweeted: "What a career for Shaq Diesel!! The most dominating force to ever play the game. Great person to be around as well. Comedy all the time!!"
O'Neal's final year in the league was plagued by a persistent leg injury. He had signed a 2-year deal with the Celtics but has decided to call it quits after just one year with the team because of his debilitating Achilles injury.
O'Neal made a valiant effort to deal with the injury so that he could help the Celtics during the playoffs, but the pain was just too much to bear.
"I felt like someone had shot me in the back of my leg," said Shaq of his injury at one point.
O'Neal even took five cortisone shots in an attempt to help the Celtics during their playoff series against the Miami Heat.
"[Team physician Brian McKeon] kept telling me, 'No, no,' but I wanted to play so badly," said O'Neal. "My feeling was, 'If it ruptures, it ruptures.' The Celtics were so good to me I wanted to do everything I could to get back on the court for them."
Surgery is an option, but O'Neal says that he does not want to risk letting the Celtics down again.
"I really, really thought about coming back," said Shaq, "but this Achilles is very damaged and if I had it done the recovery would be so long we'd have same outcome as this last year -- everyone sitting around and waiting for me.
"I didn't want to let people down two years in a row. I didn't want to hold Boston hostage again.
"I'm letting everybody know now so Danny (Ainge) and the organization can try to get younger talent. I would love to come back, but they say once the Achilles is damaged it's never the same. I don't want to take that chance."
O'Neal will be remembered not only for his impressive NBA resume but also his larger-than-life personality. He is widely regarded as one of the funniest and most likeable players in the NBA.
"I tried to make people happy," said O'Neal, "and I tried to have fun. I think I did both."
(Sources: ESPN.com)
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