Shaq Retires, Basketball Historians Rejoice

by Mitchell Maurer on Jun 1, 2011 7:54 PM CDT in News

Younger NBA fans wouldn't know it, but Shaquille O'Neal was one of the most dominant players to ever set foot on a basketball court. His stints in Phoenix, Cleveland, and Boston were far from memorable (at least as far as his play was concerned), but he always brought a boyish charm to whatever city he called home that year. Not to mention the hopes that he would bring the championships he found in Los Angeles, Miami, and almost Orlando.

And now he's retiring, and it means to us...what? He never would have played in Milwaukee, he once fought former coach Larry Krystkowiak, and the only remark he's ever (allegedly) made referencing a Buck was "Bogut is Erika Dampier with a beard." He's an NBA legend, and we're fans of a team that struggles with NBA name recognition. He has virtually nothing to do with us, whatsoever.

Bucks fans will mark his passing into retirement the same way most people mark President's Day: Yeah, it's cool, but nobody's really sure why it's a big deal anymore. NBA fans with an eye on the past, however...

NBA Vault: Shaquille O'Neal Rookie Year Highlights (via NBA)

He played with current coach Scott Skiles once upon a time, and that's enough of a connection for me to post a mini-tribute on BrewHoop. Love him or hate him, he was one of the best players in league history, brought endless entertainment to countless fans, and I for one will miss him.

I'm sure Skiles did when their days as teammates ended. How many easy assists did he get by dishing to Shaq?

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Around SB Nation

Blueprint of a Blowout: Rockets 109 - Warriors 83

Mar 2012 from The Dream Shake - 48 comments

Keith Benson To Sign With Golden State Warriors

Mar 2012 from Ridiculous Upside - 1 comment

Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview

Mar 2012 from Blazer's Edge - 48 comments

Golden State Warriors Center Andrew Bogut Says 'It’s Pretty Uneducated' To Call His Injuries Chronic

Mar 2012 from Golden State Of Mind - 297 comments

The Conversation About Tanking We Should Be Having

Mar 2012 from Fear The Sword - 42 comments

Comments

The free-agency era has made the final years of so many dominant players seriously difficult to watch...

….if Shaq has gone out after the Miami championship, it would have been a widely celebrated moment in the career of one of the NBA’s greatest players. Now, I hear about the news on a Bucks-centric website first (one with timely reporting and opinions, of course) and really don’t think the NBA is losing much….because it really lost Shaq several years ago anyways. I can’t blame guys for using the flexibility of free agency to become a role-player on potential champions for a few seasons, but it’s hard to not feel like great career have been diluted in the process. So much mental effort has to go into purging the last 5 years from my memory for a player I consider a top 5 guy all time. It’s just weird to have to say that about a guy I hold in such high esteem.

A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.

by Steve von Horn on Jun 1, 2011 8:41 PM CDT reply actions

Unfortunately

His last 5 years will be all I remember him by…Because that’s all I saw…

The Artist Formerly known as Speedingtime/Speedy

www.BrewHoop.com

by Jacob Grinyer on Jun 1, 2011 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions

A few players in all sports hang on a bit too long

Mike Schmidt and Jim Palmer come to mind in baseball. That being said I really liked Shaq on the Magic…not so much after

"You play anybody and if they shoot 70 per cent from three, they're going to be tough to beat." More wise words from Chris Bosh

by CanadaBucks on Jun 1, 2011 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions

agree that the last few years were kinda a joke

but I suppose he didnt take himself that seriously in that he could handle a spot as role player on a contender unlike a guy like Iverson

That," says LeBron, "is for everyone that watches me play. They witness something special. You're all a witness.

by ILIKEBJ'S on Jun 2, 2011 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Last few years were rough but.....

I remember his prime pretty well. He was so unbelievably dominant!

by Finkle_is_Einhorn on Jun 1, 2011 9:28 PM CDT reply actions

Wait...

Shaq was still in the league? I hadnt heard from him since he got traded to the suns. Im younger, but i still remember some of his LA years and all of his MIA years (bandwagon fan bc D wade, now i hate MIA, lol). I wont remember for the last years. I always thought his off court antics were pretty funny, tho. No hatred towards him from here.

by BrewcrewRaysfan on Jun 1, 2011 9:30 PM CDT reply actions

The later years ...

and the early years were the most enjoyable to watch. The early years because he was developing, the later years because he had to use savvy and develop that little Statue of Liberty hook shot to score.
Just saw on Monday deciding game six of Mavs-Heat 2006, and Shaq impressed. He still had some quickness, then, though those years weren’t the league’s finer moments. I’m not sure many of Shaq’s years were the league’s finer moments, and if there were fine moments, those belonged to Jordan or Hakeem or Duncan or Big Ben and the Pistons, even Sam Cassell (with the Rockets, Bucks and T-Wolves).
Still, he and his humor were a likeable foil for the serious business that was Jordan and the Bulls.

by J.D. Mo on Jun 1, 2011 11:52 PM CDT reply actions