OT: Shaq Retires

[Nolan]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/213943/Shaq_Announces_Retirement_On_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."

He should of retired a few years ago but regardless he'll go down as one of the best centers to ever play the game.

But i'm sure we'll still be seeing him and hearing from for a very long time.

[Donald Kaufman]

Should've done it years ago. It was embarrassing to see him go from team to team chasing another ring. It will be weird to not have the NBA with Shaq in it though. I started following the league in 1989, three years before Shaq was drafted, so to me it's like he's always been there.

He was always quotable and for a stretch in his Laker years he was flat out unstoppable. I'm sure he'll be involved in the game in some capacity in retirement, he'd be awesome next to Charles for example.

[Blame Rasho]

You know without the bitterness... the sweet wouldn't be as sweet. Shaq provided the bitter foil to our team when he was on the Lakers. He is one of the best players of his generation and I think somehow someway... he will become under appreciated by the masses.

[Donald Kaufman]

My favorite basketball memory is beating the 3peat Lakers in 2003. Beating them on the way to a title was sweet as hell. But it wouldn't have meant as much if we didn't respect the hell out of the opponent. And I respected Shaq and that Laker team (except Fisher, he's a douche).