RealGM

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... n_Web_Site

After a mentally exhausting season in which he was unable to overcome the effects of a right Achilles injury as a member of the Celtics, Shaquille O'Neil has decided to retire after 19 seasons.

In typical O'Neal fashion, he chose the unconventional approach of announcing his retirement via social media. He posted a short video on a new social media site called Tout in which he said:

"We did it. Nineteen years baby," he said in the message. "I want to thank you very much, that's why I'm telling you first, I'm about to retire. Thank you, talk to you soon.

Announcement video
http://www.tout.com/m/9944wo

wow, we all seen this coming but after all these years, nearly two decades its gonna be weird to have a SHAQless NBA. dude had an AMAZING career, one of the greatest of all times. i know some or MOST won't agree with me but i enjoyed his time with the suns. though the aftermath of shaq ultimately sent us on the wrong path, it was fun lol.

adios big man.

Eh, this all kind of started last year. By that I mean since he was gone a lot of the year, there wasn't nearly as much talk about him and it kind of got me personally use to an NBA without Shaq and his antics.

It has been a hell of a long time that he's played. Dude had a good career. Best of luck to him doing whatever he does next. Disney channel TV shows or something.

Dalerax wrote:Eh, this all kind of started last year. By that I mean since he was gone a lot of the year, there wasn't nearly as much talk about him and it kind of got me personally use to an NBA without Shaq and his antics.

It has been a hell of a long time that he's played. Dude had a good career. Best of luck to him doing whatever he does next. Disney channel TV shows or something.

"Kazam 2: The Reckoning" -There WILL be Blood!

One of the best big men of all time. At his peak he was DOMINANT.

For all the crap he gets over his "conditioning", he's been in the NBA for ages and has always been a starting caliber player, even now when healthy.

He wasn't a good fit with our team and system, but he's still 1 of the greatest ever.

Top 10 player alltime, up there with Dream/Russell/Duncan, and the only guy besides Duncan in contention for player of the 00-10 decade.

Guess Kenny Smith is going to be jobless

can we hire him to personally work with robin? lol if robin isn't crying at the end of the day, then shaq ain't doing his job lol

Been a long run will always remember this[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFME30bB7ok[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7XGyR27en4&feature=related[/youtube]

Good. **** him.

Thanks for being an offensive foul and a travel every time down the court, Shaq. Thanks for being a part of the greatest fix job in the history of basketball, Shaq. Thanks for leading the resurgence of the biggest freakshow of fans in LA, Shaq. Oh, and if that wasn't enough, thanks for contributing to the ultimate demise of our beautiful era of Suns basketball, though I can't blame you as much as Porter for that.

D'Antoni wanted Shaq. He actually played well for us it was just a bad fit.

Definitely a top 5-10 player of all time. We was a freak in his prime...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVsWuHblBwU&feature=related[/youtube]

lmao what a best

BurningHeart wrote:Good. **** him.

Thanks for being an offensive foul and a travel every time down the court, Shaq. Thanks for being a part of the greatest fix job in the history of basketball, Shaq. Thanks for leading the resurgence of the biggest freakshow of fans in LA, Shaq. Oh, and if that wasn't enough, thanks for contributing to the ultimate demise of our beautiful era of Suns basketball, though I can't blame you as much as Porter for that.

dude seriously... why do u have to be debbie downer in EVERY thread? lighten up bro lol

**** that ****, he was the main cog in what's supposed to be our most hated rival in the league. I can respect his contribution to the game, but I'm happy he's finally gone.

Sorry if I don't mince words enough for you, or anyone else. I pride myself in being a straight shooter.

Most Dominant Ever.

Him and Wilt have to be the most dominant of all-time. No truly physical force like Shaq though.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMX1FGwyr38[/youtube]

BurningHeart wrote:**** that ****, **** ****** hate blah**** hate hater*****crap*****rival******************888******eight*************8888ing

c'mon man. 19 seasons. Good work ethic. Definitely he was on the cocky side, but he put in the work and it shows with the big numbers and also 4 Championships.

sunskerr wrote:

BurningHeart wrote:**** that ****, **** ****** hate blah**** hate hater*****crap*****rival******************888******eight*************8888ing

c'mon man. 19 seasons. Good work ethic. Definitely he was on the cocky side, but he put in the work and it shows with the big numbers and also 4 Championships.

ehh don't know about his work ethic. He certainly wasn't a slouch battling weight issues but he certainly could've been the GOAT if he had more drive and a better work ethic. But that kind of just speaks of the kind of physical specimen he was. To not even be in the greatest shape he could be and do what he do, absolute domination, is nothing short of breath-taking.


Great physical specimen in NBA history? Shaq, Lebron or Wilt?

There's some players you miss when they retire and some you don't. Well Shaq is one of those players many fans and players will miss. He does get on people's nerves but he was an amazing player and kinda funny at times.

Utterly dominant in his prime

As much as I love Nash, it's a complete JOKE that Shaq only has 1 MVP award...

Didn't mind him on the Suns, he busted his gut and helped Amare become a MONSTER in that 2nd half of the year

Glad he didn't try play next year and get hurt then retire midseason

sunskerr wrote:

BurningHeart wrote:**** that ****, **** ****** hate blah**** hate hater*****crap*****rival******************888******eight*************8888ing

c'mon man. 19 seasons. Good work ethic. Definitely he was on the cocky side, but he put in the work and it shows with the big numbers and also 4 Championships.

SHAQ has a good work ethic? The guy who would have EASILY been the best player of all-time (yes, even above MJ) if he came into camp in shape every year and focused less on being a vindictive clown and more on kicking ass? Really? For as amazing as the guy was, you could STILL call him a loafer.

As for the best specimen.....I really have no idea. Tough question. Shaq was a damn truck, but LeBron looks like he was created in a computer and laboratory.