Shaq Appreciation Thread

[KingLakers]

I know alot of Lakers fans are still not happy with Shaq and how it ended with the Lakers he just tweeted he's retiring lets discuss our best memories of Shaq with and without the Lakers.

[MaDsKiLLzz24]

would b kinda cool if he signed a 1day contract to retire a laker.

[LascelleL]

would b kinda cool if he signed a 1day contract to retire a laker.

Yeah it would...this saddens me actually...he's been my favourite player since i got into the NBA...Im 20 so imaging and NBA without Shaq...feels so unreal to me

[LA Forever]

Shaquille O'Neal has been one of my favorite players of all time. He will always be a Laker to me. In as much drama that was created during the time he was here, and during the time after he left, I still love the dude. His dominance was unmatched, and is quite arguably, the most dominant presence ever in the history of the league. Thanks for all the memories Shaq! I'm going to be honest... I'm a bit sad hearing this right now.

Kazaam!

[ShowtimeFan]

Que crickets.....

[ALL HAIL]

I love Shaq. He is the cloest thing to Wilt Chamberlain in terms of his presence on the floor.

Shaq could have been in the discussion for best ever; he just added too much weight.

He should have never added so much mass; he didn't need it.

7'1, 300 is big enough for basketball ... 320 at the absolute most.

Note: Same for Greg Oden.

[LascelleL]

Kobe TO SHAQ!


That is all that needs to be said for me.

[The Skyhook]

Earlier today I was watching old videos of Kobe #8 and how I miss those days and now Shaq is retiring. Kind of weird.

This is one of the lasting images that I have of Shaq.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJkaIn6UH2A[/youtube]

[LA Forever]

Shaquille O'Neal has been one of my favorite players of all time. He will always be a Laker to me. In as much drama that was created during the time he was here, and during the time after he left, I still love the dude. His dominance was unmatched, and is quite arguably, the most dominant presence ever in the history of the league. Thanks for all the memories Shaq! I'm going to be honest... I'm a bit sad hearing this right now.

Kazaam!

[PA lakers fan]

Love ya Shaq!! I became a fan at the age of 5 in 1996, the year that Shaq and Kobe arrived in LA. Obviously, the 3peat team is very dear to me. Those guys were my idols growin up man. Farewell to Shaq, a true legend of basketball and without question one of the most dominant players to ever play the game.

[BEazy]

Farewell to the most dominate player the league has ever seen.

[H00PDREAMS]

"We did it. Nineteen years baby,"

SHAQ to TNT ASAP!!!

[MaDsKiLLzz24]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHjjeZ4cGxA[/youtube]

@ :34 sec. " GREATEST little man big man 1-2 punch ever created!" YES SIR!

[LascelleL]

Lakers fans keeping it classy...this fanbase is unlike any other

[The_Trade_Seer]

Shaq was and always will be the MDE (Most Dominant Ever). It wouldn't have mattered if he played with Kobe, Jordan, Lebron or even Wilt Chamberlain ... he would have always been the #1 option in his prime.

The guy shot 58%+ from the field for his entire career, that is insane! Wilt Chamberlain didn't come close to that playing against far inferior competition.

My question is, "where does Shaq rank all-time amongst centers?"

I would put him #2 behind Kareem in a top 5 of Kareem, Shaq, Chamberlain, Olajuwon, Russel

Shaq's stats and career accomplishments simply don't compare to Kareem's but they best most centers. Olajuwon is an interesting case as he falls just short of Shaq in career points but has more rebound, assists and blocks, not to mention almost 3 times as many steals. However Olajuwon was only only able to win two conference titles and two rings while Shaq was able to win 6 conference titles and 4 rings ... nuff said.

Another thing to remember is that had Shaq not missed 351 career games due to injury or lockout, his career stats would be far more impressive ... we're talking around 37,000 points, 17,000 rebounds, 4,000 assists and 3,500 steals ... INSANE!

However when comparing Shaq and Olajuwon I think many people may think to themselves, "how many titles would Olajuwon have won had he played alongside a prime Kobe for 5 years as Shaq did? This is interesting as it's the flip side of the argument that says Kobe won his first 3 titles because of Shaq ...

Shaq is the MDE, the 2nd greatest center ever and the greatest entertainer the game of basketball has ever seen.

I truly wish the Celts would have cut him and he could have signed on for 1 last year to play with the Lakers.

[Desiderium]

i just wish he didnt sign as a celtic last year...but still doesnt take away from the fact that he did so much for our team while he was here. hope to see him on tnt

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

Lakers fans keeping it classy...this fanbase is unlike any other

Yup. And to prove your point further, just take a look at Miami's board and what some fans say about him. Those guys should be kissing his ***, seeing as how he helped bring them their 1st title. Oh no! Shaq said something about the great Ricky Davis.

[Sedale Threatt]

Shaq is the one who led us out of the post-Magic wilderness. No matter what he's done and said since leaving, nothing will ever erase that.

Other than Magic, there's never been an experience I've enjoyed more as a basketball fan than watching him, in his prime, absolutely wreck people. If we ever get another player, before I die, who can reach the level of impact he did, I will consider myself a lucky man.

So, even with all the drama and douchbaggery, thanks for (almost) everything, Shaq.

[The_Trade_Seer]

And yes, Shaq should definitely join Barkley on TNT ... 5 would be fine but if they have to let someone go, get rid of Ernie and then Kenny, replace them with Shaq and Jalen Rose ... maybe even KG once he retires.

[Wizard of POOH]

Will the Lakers be retiring his number anytime soon?