Shaq Retires via Twitter

[BFRESH44]

The guy gave us two All NBA first team seasons, and one of those years he should've won MVP. He was also an intergral part of bringing the organization it's first ever championship.

And short tenure and all -- He's far to entrenched in the Heat's history NOT to retire his number. Personal relationships be damned.

I think it happens, anyway. Shaq is still on good terms with Arison.

[Carlos4Heat]

So what if Shaq did a bit of grandstanding in his day,what athlete hasn't? That doesn't change the fact that he for all intents and purposes gave life,to a then 16 year old franchise upon his arrival.So why not retire his number,at the AAA?The positives far outweigh the negatives.

[unowen85]

If Riley wants to retire his number, awesome, I'm down. However! It has to be after Wade and Haslem have theirs retired first. So way down the line, in fifteen years, bring his fat ass back to the arena and have a little ceremony for him.

[Vertical Limit]

Eh, I wouldn't mind if they retired it next year. I actually would want to go to that game. It be great to see him and Wade up there.

[Miamis3rdRing]

As much as I hate the way he left, I wouldn't mind if they retired his jersey (After Wade and and perhaps Haslem). The guy promised that he would bring a title here, and delivered. He may have not even been our best Center during the Finals (Zo?), but he gave us 18 ppg, along with 10 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game during the 2006 playoff's. Without him, we wouldn't be contenders.

Had Wade not gotten injured in 05' there's a good chance we would have 2 banners hanging in the rafters of the AAA.

[DWadeno3]

The guy gave us two All NBA first team seasons, and one of those years he should've won MVP. He was also an intergral part of bringing the organization it's first ever championship.

And short tenure and all -- He's far to entrenched in the Heat's history NOT to retire his number. Personal relationships be damned.

I think it happens, anyway. Shaq is still on good terms with Arison.

This. Shaq talked trash about every team he left, that's just who he is. His accomplishments in the NBA and the success he brought to our franchise can't be washed away because of some words.

[WD]

Shaq didn't thank Riley or the heat organization for nothing doing his presser, thanked doc, jackson and a guy named brown

[LascelleL]

Shaq didn't thank Riley or the heat organization for nothing doing his presser, thanked doc, jackson and a guy named brown

He thanked the owners of each of his teams and I'm not sure but Im pretty confident he mentioned Wade

[WiseOwlWins]

im just happy he chose my nickname for his retirement. the big AARP. twitter is great.

[HIF]

Give it 5 or 10 years and then let's look at his short time here in context.

IMO Retiring of jerseys should only be for players that you would consider Miami players.

Surely no-one thinks of Shaq aq a Miami player. He's getting it retired by the Lakers that should be honour enough - he's already made it clear that he's a Laker man with the line about going into the HOF as a Laker.

I wouldn't retire his shirt in Orlando either.

[WD]

Shaq didn't thank Riley or the heat organization for nothing doing his presser, thanked doc, jackson and a guy named brown

He thanked the owners of each of his teams and I'm not sure but Im pretty confident he mentioned Wade

Maybe I missed it, but he did not mention the HEAT org by name and I did not hear him mention wade, I may be wrong

[twix2500]

Ya i want to wish him a successful life after basketball. He was one of the greatest players in the game. A lot of the drama around Shaq was on purpose, he choose to use the WWF tatics for entertainment. He was the fifth best center ever in my opinion after Wilt, Russell, Kareem and Olajuwon. I dont think we should retire his jersey now because he only played here for a short period of time, but one day down the road we should. His jersey should be retired in LA first. When Wade has his number retired then we should look at retiring Shaqs number.

One of the greatest rival that never happen in Shaq vs Zo, was my only disappointment about Shaq career. I thought it was going to be realized in 2000 but that chance was taken away by Zos health. But i did get the unforseen pleasure of watching one the greatest center combos ever when Zo and Shaq teamed up in 2006.

In all he dominated everyone around the rim (except Olajuwon). Great rebounder, immoveable in the paint, can finish with the best of them. Good Luck Shaq it was wonderful watching you play.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=784ioqBlQPM[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xjgiDrpnwo[/youtube]