Shaq retires!!!

[tarheelpride]

Easily top 10 for big men. I would like to see Kobe induct him to the hall just for the laughs

[cdandi1]

L-s-u

[Jangler]

I thought he retired months ago...

[pantherfan49]

HOF player. Will hold the NBA record for missed free throws (5317) for all of time.

[Zaximus]

I'll miss Shaq, but I'm sure he'll still be around. He knew how to be an entertainer for sure, and won't be forgotten.

[Swarly]

could have been the greatest player of all time had he lived up to his athletic potential. seems like he didn't care a lot of the time though.

[Niner National]

weighing 330 pounds is hard on the knees. Tough to stay in great athletic shape for long with that kind of weight crashing down on your knees every time you jump. I'm surprised he was able to play as long as he did.

[King Taharqa]

Even though he didnt maximize his potential on the court to the fullest, Shaq is still one of the greatest centers of all time, and the best of this era. I rank him #6 behind Jabbar, Wilt, Russell, Malone, & Hakeem. He put a small market Magic franchise on the map and took them to their first Finals. He along with Phil Jackson revitalized a forgotten Lakers franchise in the late 90s. He then went on to win a title in Miami and gave an unproven Heat franchise some much needed credibility. Off the court Shaq is one of the greatest athlete-entertainers of all time. Dude can do it all. Movies, rap music, interviews, sound bytes, straight to DVD comedy specials, etc. The guy is smart with money and doesnt mind playing the "dumb" role to sell products. Shaq is one of those guys you know the league will keep around and keep visible.

[Mvp2014]

Finally... Probably the most physically dominant player that basketball has ever seen. I still cant figure out how that man played for 16 years at 300 lbs, absolute freak of nature and a class act.

[King Taharqa]

Lakers plan to retire Shaq's jersey

LOS ANGELES -- Some time in the future, fans attending a game at the Staples Center will be able to say, "Look up in the rafters! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman's retired jersey!"

The Los Angeles Lakers plan to honor their former self-proclaimed Superman, Shaquille O'Neal, by raising his No. 34 jersey to the rafters.

"We don't have any specific timetable on this, but you can be assured we will retire Shaq's jersey," said Lakers spokesman John Black in an email on Wednesday.

O'Neal, 39, revealed his retirement earlier Wednesday using the new social media tool Tout, a real-time video messaging service, to announce to fans: "We did it. Nineteen years baby. I want to thank you very much, that's why I'm telling you first, I'm about to retire. Love you, talk to you soon."

O'Neal enjoyed the the bulk of the success during his 19-year NBA career in the eight seasons he spent in Los Angeles from 1996-2004, winning his lone regular season MVP award in 1999-00 and three consecutive Finals MVPs from 2000-02.

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6617095

[Swarly]

Agreed that Shaq was great off-the-court. A lot of athletes these days are reclusive and try to stay out of the spotlight(can't really blame them to be honest)... Shaq always put himself out there to the fans.

I can't wait until we see a Barkley/Shaq team in the booth.

[Ivan The Awesome]

About time. He's a great athlete and a person. I met him once, he was very down to earth and funny as hell. But he should have retired 2 years ago.

[C-A-T-S]

Thank You for 19 years of service Big Fella, one of the All Time Greats!