Shaquille O’neal,39, Announces Retirement…The Boston Celtics Thought He Had Already Based On His Performance With Their Team!!!
After 19 seasons as a center in the NBA,Shaquille O’Neal,39, announced today on Twitter that he is finally retiring, but I bet his current team the Boston Celtics, thought that, judging by his lack of performance for them, that he had retired sometime this past season!(TMZ)
(Watch Shaq’s Retirement Video Post Here!!!)
This is all news to the Celtic’s who have Shaq signed to a two-year deal to play for them last summer, and is still under contract.
O’neal had a lackluster, …almost brain-dead season this year with the Celtic’s,playing in only 37 games, due to an Achilles tendon injury.
Many had expressed their feelings that he was only ruining his legacy by going out in such a bad fashion, staying well past his prime, while riding the pine.He was not even able to help them out, at all, in their quest in the post-season for another championship.(Wiki)
(Hoopz Official Fan Site …and more pictures!!!)
The 39-year-old won three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers,with Kobe Bryant in tow, and one with the Miami Heat,pairing with the incomparable Dwayne Wade, who is in pursuit,this time with LeBron James and Chris Bosh,for his second NBA championship title.(Source)
His career highlights include being selected the first overall pick in the 1992 draft by the Orlando Magic,being selected the Rookie of the Year in 1993,as well as being the 5th all-time in career points with 28,596.
He was also crowned the Most Valuable Player award in 2000, and is considered to have been one of the top 5 NBA centers to ever play the game.(Shaq’s Legacy by the numbers)
The owner of the Lakers, Dr. Jerry Buss issued this statement regarding the retirement of Shaq:
“Shaq had a long and amazing career, with a huge impact both on and off the court. His contributions were significant to the entire NBA, but we specifically appreciate what he did with and what he meant to the Lakers during his eight years with us. We have three championships that we wouldn’t have won without him, and we will forever be grateful for his significant contributions to those teams.”(Source)
Although Shaq has not announced what he has planned for his future, but in the past, Shaq has made it known that when he did retire, he would like to become a law enforcement officer.
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