Shaquille O'neal aka Shaq Daddy aka Wilt Chamberneezy aka Big Stock Exchange aka Big Aristotle aka the Big Cactus aka the Big Clam Chowda aka Shaq FU has decided to hang up the size 22 AAA's and presumably all the nicknames he made so famous
He came into the league like a tsunami, taking down rims and taking on challengers. He legitimized a franchise in Orlando; revitalized the brand name in Hollywood, and gave Miami a taste of the high life before injuries, age and inevitable decline dictated his exit after stops in Phoenix, Cleveland and finally, Boston.19 seasons, 4 rings and untold nicknames later, the most unstoppable force in his prime
is taking the show on the road.
Nobody thinks this will be the last we see as Shaq, as he has mastered the media unlike any athlete in history. I mean, he was making CDs and childrens books, movies and producing TV shows throughout his entire career. But he sure is a relic from a past era.
When centers ruled the world, Shaq had to earn his stripes. Of course, he came in as a rook and averaged 23.4 pts and 13.9 rbs and 3.5 blocks. However, that wasn't enough to just leapfrog future HOF Centers Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Patrick Ewing. By his 3rd season he had taken the expansion Magic to the Finals. But the league didn't take to well to the young man's exploits and the Clippers
With his outsized personality and game, he literally outgrew small-town Orlando and headed for the bright lights of Los Angeles. Following in a line of great franchise centers, from Mikan to Wilt to Kareem, Shaq inherited the legacy and expectations. And he didn't disappoint.
After a few missteps, the arrival of Phil Jackson and rapid development of a then-teenage Kobe Bryant, Shaq became a three-time champion in LA, winning Finals MVP each year, from 2000-2002. It was as dominant a period as I had ever seen. And although he only has one mvp to show for his career, he was generally regarded as the best player in the game along with Tim Duncan and emerging Kobe Bryant in the post-Jordan era.
It has been said that Shaq and Kobe could not co-exist, and its probably true. But for those 3 years, it seemed inconceivable that they would not win the title for the rest of the 2000's. We all see know how it turned out. Kobe tells of Shaq's indiscretions during an investigation for his trial, Shaq shows up fat at camp, alpha dog struggles as to whose team it was as Kobe morphed into the best scorer in the world. Phil's struggles to control, placate both oversized egos. Upper Management's dilemma on how to construct the team with Kobe's impending Free Agency and the implosion of the 2003-2004 team which added HOF-ers Karl Malone and Gary Payton to the mix, further fracturing an already delicate team chemistry. Shaq was moved to the Miami Heat, soon afterwards, but his friction in LA was a predictor, or a peek into his relationships with teammates, coaches, and organizations. For as much success as he brought to his stops, his departures were always equally calamitous.
Magic fans feel Shaq's exit cost them a dynasty. Having built their team around him, his defection left them high and dry, ala Lebron and Cleveland. And also like James, he brought his team to new heights, if not immediately. It took Orlando 14 years to reach the Finals again.
Laker fans feel as though he gave up on their dynasty, success making him get fat and rest on his laurels. His constant bickering over top billing with Kobe. If he had assumed the background during his final years with the Lakers(as he did in his years w/Miami) instead of having a tug-o-war with Bryant, NBA history might look different today.
Miami fans can not hold ill will towards Shaq. After all, he led the Heat to their first and only Finals and championship. The season after that however, they became the first defending Champions to be swept out of the 1st round(by my BULLS!) and had the worst record in the league the following season, while Shaq's deteriorating corpse just watched the train wreck of a season.
Suns fans hate Shaq because not only did his arrival signal the end of the Seven Seconds or less offense,but he actually stole Steve Nash's idea for a TV show, which is now called Shaq vs.! (Steve Nash actually sued and is listed as Executive Producer)
The only gripes fans in Cleveland and Boston, his final two stops, have are that they did not win the championship, despite his addition. Both franchise were already made for Finals teams. Unfortunately, "Shaq-ovic" could never get them over the top.
Overall, Shaquille will be remembered as the most most dominant force in his era, maybe ever. He was a fun loving center with a mean streak. A unstoppable force on and off the court. His forays into media foreshadowed the rise and blending of sports and media culture. He accomplished everything there is to do in his field with the exception of an NCAA Championship.
Ironically, I still feel that Shaquille's impact is underrated. Just like his
My all time big man list Wilt, Kareem, Russell, Shaq, Hakeem, Duncan, Robinson, Ewing, whoever else.....
Goodbye Shaq Diesel, or whatever they call you these days.
***On a side note, I would NOT trade Shaq for every player that he was traded for in his career combined:
Shaq(in his prime 2000-2002 THE MAN) for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, Miami future 1st rounder(ended up being Jordan Farmar), Shawn Marion, Marcus Banks,Sasha Pavlovic, Ben Wallace, $500,000, and 2010 2nd rounder Dwayne Collins, the last guy chosen in the draft. It's crazy that the baddest center of out time was essentially traded for a collection of small forwards and throwaway guards. Just sayin....
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