Should Shaq get his #32 retired?

Point forward · Post #1 » by **Point forward** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:29 am

In the General Board, I asked how often Shaq will get his jerseys retired. The majority said that Lakers and Heat are probably done deals, but they had pretty split opinions on ORL.

Shaq led the Magic into the NBA Finals, but he also left on bad terms. As ORL fans, would you like to have his #32 hanging in the rafters or not? As a neutral fan, I say yes, because he put you on the NBA map. I feared the Magic with Shaq. But I also accept if you guys refuse him.

mhectorgato · Post #2 » by **mhectorgato** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:32 am

He won't go into the HOF wearing a Magic jersey, probably as a Laker.

MagicStarwipe · Post #3 » by **MagicStarwipe** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:42 am

No. Penny deserves it more and he wont get it either.

drsd · Post #4 » by **drsd** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:22 am

Given how Shaq left Orlando, it is hard to imagine.

OMPunk · Post #5 » by **OMPunk** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:28 am

Look at is this way...how many #1's have their been since Penny left? Now how many #32's have their been? There is always a chance.

Versubio · Post #6 » by **Versubio** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:32 am

I hope not. Not with the Magic.

Post #7 » by **damo[23]** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:59 am

As a player and what he did during his time in Orlando, probably he could have, but the way he left us, that just stopped any chance of him getting it retired. I dont think fondly of Shaq really, ever since the day I read he left.

Howard+Nelson · Post #8 » by **Howard+Nelson** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:04 pm

I would say no. And I think he should only be retired with the lakers. I dont see why miami would retire his jersey. he wasn't there that long and only won 1 championship compared to the ones with the lakers.

Post #9 » by **UCFJayBird** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:26 pm

No. Generally a team doesn't retire a player's jersey for them only playing with them for 4 years and not winning them multiple championships.

People are too eager to retire numbers these days. Just because a great player played for you doesn't mean you should retire their number, especially when that player went on to play better elsewhere, and win championships elsewhere.

He should be retired as a Laker, but that's it. He didn't play long enough in Miami, but I could see them retiring it just because they won them their first championship.

Point forward · Post #10 » by **Point forward** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:34 pm

UCFJayBird wrote:People are too eager to retire numbers these days. Just because a great player played for you doesn't mean you should retire their number, especially when that player went on to play better elsewhere, and win championships elsewhere.

I think the most extreme case was Wilt as a Sixer, he played there for just 3.5 years: first year (after a mid season trade) the Sixers lost in 7 when Hondo stole Greer's pass, the second year the Sixers got flattened by the Celtics, the third year he won Philly their first ring, and the fourth year the Sixers blew a 3-1 lead to lose 3-4 vs the Cs.

Still, Wilt got his #13 jersey retired with the Sixers, although he put up his monster stats as a Warrior and was a better team player as a Laker.

Post #11 » by **MagicMadness** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:44 pm

UCFJayBird wrote:No. Generally a team doesn't retire a player's jersey for them only playing with them for 4 years and not winning them multiple championships.

People are too eager to retire numbers these days. Just because a great player played for you doesn't mean you should retire their number, especially when that player went on to play better elsewhere, and win championships elsewhere.

He should be retired as a Laker, but that's it. He didn't play long enough in Miami, but I could see them retiring it just because they won them their first championship.

My sentiments exactly. Don't retire his number just to have a player's number up in the rafters. Shaq only played here 4 years, and we didn't win a title. We can't use the excuse of "but he led us to our only Finals appearance", because retiring a number means no one ever again will be able to wear that number - 5 years from now, 10 years from now, God-willing, 50 or 100 years from now.

Shaq was one of our best players ever. But he just did not play here long enough to establish himself as a Magic player in the minds of the general public.

mhectorgato · Post #12 » by **mhectorgato** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:24 pm

Upon further review, we shouldn't even begin consider such a think until Nick's jersey hangs from the rafters.

Maybe his will finally hang in the new arena?

theTHIEF · Post #13 » by **theTHIEF** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:26 pm

Shaq didn't really do anything here, so I would say no...Nick and Darrell both get a raised jersey from me, hopefully Darrell can come back and finish up here...

The Favero · Post #14 » by **The Favero** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:27 pm

Shaq hurt the Magic for more years than he helped them. I wouldn't retire his jersey!!!

Gerhalt11 · Post #15 » by **Gerhalt11** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:27 pm

Point forward wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I think the most extreme case was Wilt as a Sixer, he played there for just 3.5 years: first year (after a mid season trade) the Sixers lost in 7 when Hondo stole Greer's pass, the second year the Sixers got flattened by the Celtics, the third year he won Philly their first ring, and the fourth year the Sixers blew a 3-1 lead to lose 3-4 vs the Cs.

Still, Wilt got his #13 jersey retired with the Sixers, although he put up his monster stats as a Warrior and was a better team player as a Laker.

"Havlicek stole the ball! Havlicek stole the ball!" Great moment.

I tend to agree with the consensus here. Shaq is one of the greatest players to wear a Magic jersey, but he didn't really hit his apex here. And leading a team to one finals sweep is not worthy of retiring the jersey.

AdamTheGreek · Post #16 » by **AdamTheGreek** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:12 pm

Wilt still won the title in Philly with unbelievable numbers, Shaq is not comparable.

Shaq will and should get retired in LA and Miami (1st title).

In order of who gets their jersey retired:
Nick #25
Flash #10

Only these two guys are eligible and have earned the right. After that, Penny would be 3rd on my list ('97 playoffs alone give him the merit). Then Shaq a long distant 4th.
But as someone said, Shaq has caused more harm than help.

OrlandoMagic · Post #17 » by **OrlandoMagic** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:27 pm

if we ever do raise his number maybe we can hang another jersey next to it with an asterik?

Gerhalt11 · Post #18 » by **Gerhalt11** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:28 pm

AdamTheGreek wrote:
In order of who gets their jersey retired:
Nick #25
Flash #10

Definitely to Nick, but I'm going to say no to Flash.

He was a fan favorite, no doubt. But in terms of talent, he was just a decent point guard. In his best years in Orlando, he averaged mid-teens in points and fewer than eight assists. He was by no means a game-changer, despite the fact that the crowd treated him like one.

If we're retiring the jerseys of fan favorites, we'll have to hoist #45 for Bo up to the rafters, as well.

EasternMagic · Post #19 » by **EasternMagic** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:26 pm

he shouldnt have his number retired here. he wasnt here for that long like 4 years. now nick anderson, thats a different story.

MagicFan149 · Post #20 » by **MagicFan149** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:56 pm

shaqs jersey has no place in our rafters.... no way no how.... he left us with nothing years ago... losing shaq for nothing goes up there with worst sports moves ever... i dont want any rememberence of shaq in the place where dwight will do what shaq couldnt.( win that ring)