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Shaq wisecracks his way into retirement
Source: Agencies |
June 5, 2011, Sunday
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SHAQUILLE O'Neal formally announced his retirement on Friday, ending a professional National Basketball Association career that spanned nearly two decades.
One of the most successful and recognizable players in the sport, O'Neal had revealed his intentions to quit on Twitter two days ago.
The giant center made it official with a news conference from his Florida home, broadcast live on US television.
"I never thought this day would come," the 39-year-old O'Neal said in Orlando. "Father Time has finally caught up with Shaquille O'Neal."
During his career, O'Neal played for six NBA teams: the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and finally the Boston Celtics.
He won four NBA Championships, three with the Lakers and one with Miami, scored 28,596 points, the fifth highest total ever, and won a string of personal awards, including the NBA's MVP.
He averaged 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds a game, was named to 15 All-Star teams and was a member of the United States team that won the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Injuries and the ravages of a physical sport inevitably caught up with the 2.16-meter, 147-kilogram O'Neal, forcing him to hang up his size 23 sneakers.
But O'Neal's achievements on court were only part of the reason for his mass appeal. His sharp mind and his infectious smile won him as many admirers as any of his monster slam dunks.
It was no surprise that O'Neal, who gave himself a range of nicknames, including 'The Big Daddy', 'Superman' and 'The Diesel', packed his retirement conference with wisecracks and self-mockery.
"I'm going to miss the competition, the camaraderie, the friendship, the fans, joking with the media," O'Neal said. "And I'm really going to miss the free throws."
A notoriously poor free-throw shooter he averaged 52.7 percent over his career.
One of the most successful and recognizable players in the sport, O'Neal had revealed his intentions to quit on Twitter two days ago.
The giant center made it official with a news conference from his Florida home, broadcast live on US television.
"I never thought this day would come," the 39-year-old O'Neal said in Orlando. "Father Time has finally caught up with Shaquille O'Neal."
During his career, O'Neal played for six NBA teams: the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and finally the Boston Celtics.
He won four NBA Championships, three with the Lakers and one with Miami, scored 28,596 points, the fifth highest total ever, and won a string of personal awards, including the NBA's MVP.
He averaged 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds a game, was named to 15 All-Star teams and was a member of the United States team that won the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Injuries and the ravages of a physical sport inevitably caught up with the 2.16-meter, 147-kilogram O'Neal, forcing him to hang up his size 23 sneakers.
But O'Neal's achievements on court were only part of the reason for his mass appeal. His sharp mind and his infectious smile won him as many admirers as any of his monster slam dunks.
It was no surprise that O'Neal, who gave himself a range of nicknames, including 'The Big Daddy', 'Superman' and 'The Diesel', packed his retirement conference with wisecracks and self-mockery.
"I'm going to miss the competition, the camaraderie, the friendship, the fans, joking with the media," O'Neal said. "And I'm really going to miss the free throws."
A notoriously poor free-throw shooter he averaged 52.7 percent over his career.
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