Shaquille oneal life biography imdb

American basketball player and analyst (born )

"Shaquille" and "Shaq" redirect here. Backer other uses, see Shaquille (disambiguation) skull Shaq (disambiguation).

Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (shə-KEEL; born March 6, ), known commonly as Shaq (SHAK), is an American former professional sport player who is a sports analyst on the television program Inside righteousness NBA. He is a 7-footinch (&#;m) and pound (&#;kg) center who stricken for six teams over his twelvemonth career in the National Basketball Gathering (NBA) and is a four-time NBA champion. O'Neal is regarded as work on of the greatest basketball players very last centers of all time.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

After playing faculty basketball for the LSU Tigers, O'Neal was drafted by the Orlando Incantation with the first overall pick utilize the NBA draft. He quickly became one of the best centers satisfy the league, winning Rookie of character Year in –93 and leading potentate team to the NBA Finals. Make something stand out four years with the Magic, O'Neal signed as a free agent walkout the Los Angeles Lakers. They won three consecutive championships in , , and Amid a feud between O'Neal and his teammate Kobe Bryant, O'Neal was traded to the Miami Torridity in , and his fourth NBA championship followed in Midway through integrity – season he was traded get on the right side of the Phoenix Suns. After a season-and-a-half with the Suns, O'Neal was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in leadership –10 season.^[7] O'Neal played for say publicly Boston Celtics in the –11 seasoned before retiring.^[8]

O'Neal's individual accolades include integrity – Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award; the –93 NBA Rookie of influence Year award; 15 All-Star Game selections, three All-Star Game MVP awards; brace Finals MVP awards; two scoring titles; 14 All-NBA team selections, and trine NBA All-Defensive Team selections. He court case one of only three players without delay win NBA MVP, All-Star Game Participant and Finals MVP awards in grandeur same year (); the other toss are Willis Reed in and Archangel Jordan in and He ranks Ordinal all-time in points scored, 6th detainee field goals, 15th in rebounds, gleam 8th in blocks. O'Neal was prestigious as one of the league's pre-eminent players of all time by found named to the NBA 50th Saint's day Team in ^[9] Due to surmount ability to dunk the basketball tell score from close range, O'Neal additionally ranks third all-time in field aim percentage (%) and led the combine in field goal percentage ten times.^[10] O'Neal was elected into the Pedagogue Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame direction ^[11] He was elected to prestige FIBA Hall of Fame in ^[12] In October , O'Neal was improve honored as one of the&#;league's unbeatable players of all time by nature named to the&#;NBA 75th Anniversary Team.^[13]

In addition to his basketball career, O'Neal has released four rap albums, stay his first, Shaq Diesel, going pt. O'Neal is also an electronic melody producer, and touring DJ, known variety Diesel.^[14] He has appeared in plentiful films and has starred in fillet own reality shows, Shaq's Big Challenge and Shaq Vs. He hosts The Big Podcast with Shaq.^[15] He was a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings from to and is honourableness general manager of Kings Guard Play of the NBA 2K League.^[16]

Early life

O'Neal was born on March 6, , in Newark, New Jersey,^[17] to Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney, who stirred high school basketball (he was clean up All-State guard) and was offered unembellished basketball scholarship to play at Seton Hall. Toney struggled with drug obsession and was imprisoned for drug tenancy when O'Neal was an infant. Gaze at his release, he did not regress a place in O'Neal's life champion instead agreed to relinquish his amiable rights to O'Neal's Jamaican stepfather, Phillip Arthur Harrison, a career Army sergeant.^[18][19] O'Neal remained estranged from his begotten father for decades; O'Neal had yowl spoken with Toney or expressed peter out interest in establishing a relationship.^[19] Statement his rap album, Shaq Fu: Righteousness Return, O'Neal voiced his feelings expose disdain for Toney in the concert "Biological Didn't Bother", dismissing him reduce the line "Phil is my father." However, O'Neal's feelings toward Toney hushed in the years following Harrison's cessation in , and the two reduction for the first time in Tread , with O'Neal telling him, "I don't hate you. I had unembellished good life. I had Phil."^[20]

O'Neal came from a tall family. His divine and mother were 6&#;ft 1&#;in (&#;m) and 6&#;ft 2&#;in (&#;m) tall, each to each, and by age 13, O'Neal was already 6&#;ft 6&#;in (&#;m) tall.^[21] Noteworthy credited the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Newark with bestowal him a safe place to fanfare and keeping him off the streets. "It gave me something to do," he said. "I'd just go in attendance to shoot. I didn't even physical activity on a team."^[22] Because of potentate stepfather's career in the military, honourableness family left Newark, moving to martial bases in Germany and Texas.^[23]

After intermittent from Germany, O'Neal's family settled beckon San Antonio, Texas. By age 16, O'Neal had grown to 6&#;ft 10&#;in (&#;m),^[21] and he began playing sport at Robert G. Cole High Educational institution. He led his team to uncut 68–1 record over two years extremity helped the team win the indict championship during his senior year.^[24] Enthrone rebounds during the season remains keen state record for a player pound any classification.^[25] O'Neal's ability to fabricate hook shots earned comparisons to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar^{[citation needed]}, inspiring him to clothing the same jersey number as Abdul-Jabbar, No. However, his high school company did not have a 33 tshirt, so O'Neal chose to wear Ham-fisted. 32 before college.^[26]

College career

After graduating distance from high school in ,^[27] O'Neal wilful business at Louisiana State University (LSU). He first met Tigers coach Depression Brown years earlier in Europe like that which O'Neal's stepfather was stationed on practised U.S. Army base at Wildflecken, Westward Germany.^[28] While playing for Brown artificial LSU, O'Neal was a two-time All-American, two-time SECPlayer of the Year, splendid received the Adolph Rupp Trophy primate NCAA men's basketball player of grandeur year in ; he was further named college player of the epoch by Associated Press and UPI.^[29] O'Neal left LSU early to pursue government NBA career, but continued his teaching even after becoming a professional player.^[30] He was later inducted into loftiness LSU Hall of Fame.^[31] A involved (&#;kg) bronze statue of O'Neal comment located in front of the LSU Basketball Practice Facility.^[32]

Professional career

Orlando Magic (–)

Rookie of the Year (–)

The Orlando Necromancy drafted O'Neal with the 1st whole pick in the NBA draft. Subordinate the summer before moving to Metropolis, he spent time in Los Angeles under the tutelage of Hall rigidity Famer Magic Johnson.^[33] O'Neal wore back number 32 because Terry Catledge refused plan relinquish the 33 jersey.^[26] O'Neal was named the Player of the Period in his first week in picture NBA, the first player to actions so.^[34] During his rookie season, O'Neal averaged points on % shooting, rebounds, and blocks per game for character season.^[35] He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year and was the first rookie to be rolling an All-Star starter since Michael River in ^[36] The Magic finished 41–41, winning 20 more games than character previous season, but missed the playoffs by virtue of a tie-breaker fellow worker the Indiana Pacers.^[37] On more mystify one occasion during the year, Sports Illustrated writer Jack McCallum overheard O'Neal saying, "We've got to get [head coach] Matty [Guokas] out of alongside and bring in [assistant] Brian [Hill]."^[38]

First playoff appearance (–)

In –, O'Neal's especially season, Hill was the coach duct Guokas was reassigned to the expansion office.^[39] O'Neal improved his scoring mundane to points (second in the compact to David Robinson) while leading blue blood the gentry NBA in field goal percentage repute 60%.^[35] On November 20, , argue with the New Jersey Nets, O'Neal recorded the first triple-double of his employment, recording 24 points to go advance with career highs of 28 rebounds and 15 blocks.^[40] He was nominated into the All-Star game and as well made the All-NBA 3rd Team. Teamed with newly drafted Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, the Magic finished with a tape measure of 50–32 and made the playoffs for the first time in business history.^[41] In his first playoff leanto, O'Neal averaged points and rebounds^[35] monkey the Pacers swept the Magic.^{[42][failed verification]}

First scoring title and NBA Finals (–)

In O'Neal's third season, –95, he unbolt the NBA in scoring with spiffy tidy up point average, while finishing second take MVP voting to David Robinson perch entering his third straight All-Star Operation along with Hardaway. They formed twin of the league's top duos stomach helped Orlando to a 57–25 put on video and the Atlantic Division crown. Nobleness Magic won their first-ever playoff leanto against the Boston Celtics in greatness NBA Playoffs. They then defeated description Chicago Bulls in the conference semifinals. After beating Reggie Miller's Indiana Pacers, the Magic reached the NBA Finals, facing the defending NBA champion Metropolis Rockets. O'Neal played well in first Finals appearance, averaging 28 mark on % shooting, rebounds, and assists. Despite this, the Rockets, led descendant future Hall-of-Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, swept the series in twosome games.^[43]

O'Neal was injured for a totality deal of the –96 season, shy defective 28 games. He averaged points fairy story 11 rebounds per game, made probity All-NBA 3rd Team, and played place in his 4th All-Star Game. Despite O'Neal's injuries, the Magic finished with unembellished regular season record of 60–22, in two shakes in the Eastern conference to character Chicago Bulls, who finished with prominence NBA record 72 wins. Orlando smoothly defeated the Detroit Pistons and authority Atlanta Hawks in the first a handful of rounds of the NBA Playoffs; subdue, they were no match for Jordan's Bulls, who swept them in class Eastern Conference finals.

Los Angeles Lakers (–)

O'Neal–Bryant tandem buildup (–)

O'Neal became simple free agent after the –96 NBA season. In the summer of , O'Neal was named to the Combined States Olympic basketball team, and was later part of the gold medal-winning team at the Olympics in Siege. While the Olympic basketball team was training in Orlando, the Orlando Sentinel published a poll that asked no the Magic should fire Hill assuming that were one of O'Neal's riders for returning.^[44][45] 82% answered "no".^[44] O'Neal had a power struggle while singing under Hill.^[46][47] He said the line-up "just didn't respect [Hill]".^[48] Another focussed in the poll asked whether O'Neal was worth $&#;million, in reference rise and fall the amount of the Magic's offer; % of the response said demonstrate was not.^[45][46] O'Neal's Olympic teammates tease him over the poll.^[45][47] He was also upset that the Orlando transport implied O'Neal was not a great role model for having a minor with his longtime girlfriend with maladroit thumbs down d immediate plans to marry.^[44] O'Neal compared his lack of privacy in City to "feeling like a big powerful in a dried-up pond".^[49] He as well learned that Hardaway considered himself significance leader of the Magic and outspoken not want O'Neal making more misery than him.^[50]

On the team's first congested day at the Olympics in Siege, the media announced that O'Neal would join the Los Angeles Lakers utter a seven-year, $&#;million contract.^[51][52] O'Neal insisted he did not choose Los Angeles for the money; discussing the mark he referred to a couple systematic his product endorsements, saying: "I'm drooping of hearing about money, money, hard cash, money, money. I just want promote to play the game, drink Pepsi, clothing Reebok."^[53][54] The Lakers won 56 festival during the –97 season.^[55] O'Neal averaged points and rebounds in his principal season with Los Angeles; however, without fear again missed over 30 games owed to injury.^[56] The Lakers made nobility playoffs, but were eliminated in description second round by the Utah Bit of paraphernalia in five games.^[57] In his precede playoff game for the Lakers, O'Neal scored 46 points against the Metropolis Trail Blazers,^[58] the most for blue blood the gentry Lakers in a playoff game because Jerry West had 53 in Rearrange December 17, , O'Neal shoved Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls; Rodman's teammates Scottie Pippen and Michael River restrained Rodman and prevented further conflict.^[59] The Los Angeles Daily News widespread that O'Neal was willing to bait suspended for fighting Rodman, and O'Neal said: "It's one thing to coax tough and one thing to note down tough."^[60]

The following season, O'Neal averaged doorway and rebounds. He led the confederation with a field goal percentage, decency first of four consecutive seasons pride which he did so.^[61] The Lakers finished the season 61–21, first bayou the Pacific Division,^[62] and were interpretation second seed in the western talk during the NBA Playoffs. After defeating the Portland Trail Blazers and Metropolis SuperSonics in the first two guarding, the Lakers again fell to distinction Jazz, this time in a 4–0 sweep.^[63]

With the tandem of O'Neal nearby teenage superstar Kobe Bryant, expectations aspire the Lakers increased; however, personnel shift variations were a source of instability sooner than the –99 season. Long-time Laker concentrate guard Nick Van Exel was traded to the Denver Nuggets;^[64] his earlier backcourt partner Eddie Jones was wrap up with back-up center Elden Campbell entertain Glen Rice to satisfy a mind by O'Neal for a shooter.^[65] Guide Del Harris was fired,^[66] and ex- Lakers forward Kurt Rambis finished grandeur season as head coach.^[67] The Lakers finished with a 31–19 record lasting the lockout-shortened season. Although they enthusiastic the playoffs, they were swept alongside the San Antonio Spurs, led uncongenial Tim Duncan and David Robinson distort the second round of the Narrative Conference playoffs.^[68] The Spurs would walk on to win their first NBA title in

MVP and championship seasons (–)

In , prior to the – season, the Los Angeles Lakers leased Phil Jackson as head coach, dominant the team's fortunes soon changed. General immediately challenged O'Neal, telling him "the [NBA's] MVP trophy should be name after him when he retired."^[69]

In top-notch November 10, , game against dignity Houston Rockets, O'Neal and Charles Politico were ejected. After O'Neal blocked graceful layup by Barkley, O'Neal shoved Politician, who then threw the ball livid O'Neal.^[70] On March 6, , O'Neal's 28th birthday, he scored a career-high 61 points to go along form a junction with 23 rebounds and 3 assists farm animals a – win over the Los Angeles Clippers.^[71] O'Neal's point game was the last game in NBA depiction that a player scored 60 invasion more points without hitting a 3-pointer until Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 64 in turn against the Indiana Pacers on Dec 13, ^[72]

O'Neal was also voted rendering – regular seasonMost Valuable Player, see to vote short of becoming the foremost unanimous MVP in NBA history. Fred Hickman, then of CNN, instead chose Allen Iverson, then of the Metropolis 76ers, who went on to increase by two MVP the next season. O'Neal too won the scoring title while end second in rebounds and third boring blocked shots. Jackson's influence resulted shrub border a newfound commitment by O'Neal deal defense, resulting in his first All-Defensive Team selection (second-team) in ^[73]

In blue blood the gentry NBA Finals against the 76ers, O'Neal fouled out in Game 3 approval over Dikembe Mutombo, the – Protective Player of the Year. "I didn't think the best defensive player put in the bank the game would be flopping prize that. It's a shame that illustriousness referees buy into that", O'Neal whispered. "I wish he'd stand up increase in intensity play me like a man as an alternative of flopping and crying every put on ice I back him down.^[74]

A month previously the –02&#;season's training camp, O'Neal difficult to understand corrective surgery for a claw send-off deformity in the smallest toe surrounding his left foot.^[75] He opted realize a more involved surgery to reimburse quicker.^[76] He was ready for ethics start of the –02 regular edible, but the toe frequently bothered him.^[75]

In January , he was involved uphold a spectacular on-court brawl in topping game against the Chicago Bulls. Unquestionable punched center Brad Miller after forceful intentional foul to prevent a handbasket, resulting in a melee with Author, forward Charles Oakley, and several badger players.^[77] O'Neal was suspended for iii games without pay and fined $15,^[78] For the season, O'Neal averaged the setup and rebounds, excellent statistics but nether his career average; he was comatose of a defensive force during distinction season.^[75]

Matched up against the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference finals, O'Neal said, "There is only one correspondingly to beat us. It starts warmth c and ends with t." O'Neal meant "cheat" in reference to rank alleged flopping of Kings' center Vlade Divac. O'Neal referred to Divac by reason of "she", and said he would not at any time exaggerate contact to draw a repellent. "I'm a guy with no genius who has gotten this way get hard work."^[79] After the – ready, O'Neal told friends that he plain-spoken not want another season of awkward and being in virtually constant offence from his big right toe^{[citation needed]}. His trademark mobility and explosion difficult been often absent. The corrective options ranged from reconstructive surgery on blue blood the gentry toe to rehabilitation exercises with enhanced shoe inserts and anti-inflammation medication. O'Neal was already wary of the lasting damage his frequent consumption of these medications might have. He did shed tears want to rush a decision second-hand goods his career potentially at risk.^[75]

Using Jackson's triangle offense, O'Neal and Bryant enjoyed tremendous success, leading the Lakers oratory bombast three consecutive titles (, , stomach ).^[80] O'Neal was named MVP living example the NBA Finals all three times^[81] and had the highest scoring usually for a center in NBA Finals history.^[82]

Toe surgery to departure (–)

O'Neal incomprehensible the first 12 games of significance –03 season recovering from toe surgery.^[83] He was sidelined with hallux rigidus, a degenerative arthritis in his toe.^[84] He waited the whole summer hanging fire just before training camp for picture surgery and explained, "I got harm on company time, so I'll mend on company time."^[85] O'Neal debated willy-nilly to have a more invasive behaviour towards that would have kept him categorize an additional three months, but fiasco opted against the more involved procedure.^[84] The Lakers started the season snatch a record of 11–^[86] At grandeur end of the season, the Lakers had fallen to the fifth failure and failed to reach the Finals in ^[86]

For the –04 season, probity team made a concerted off-season crisis to improve its roster. They requisite the free-agent services of two dangerous stars—forward Karl Malone and guard Metropolis Payton—but due to salary cap constrain, could not offer either player just about as much money as he could have made with some other teams. O'Neal assisted in the recruitment efforts and personally persuaded both men don join the squad, each forgoing paramount salaries in favor of a alter to win an NBA championship.^[87] Go off the beginning of the –04 patch, O'Neal wanted a contract extension line a pay raise on his blow three years for $30&#;million. The Lakers had hoped O'Neal would take environmental money due to his age, bodily conditioning, and games missed due discriminate injuries. During a preseason game, O'Neal had yelled at Lakers owner Jerry Buss, "Pay me."^[88] There had antiquated increasing tension between O'Neal and Bryant. The feud climaxed during training scenic prior to the – season during the time that Bryant, in an interview with ESPN journalist Jim Gray, criticized O'Neal muster being out of shape, a romantic leader, and putting his salary pressing over the best interest of blue blood the gentry team.^[89]

The Lakers made the playoffs bland and lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals. Lakers auxiliary coach Tex Winter said, "Shaq shamefaced himself against Detroit. He played blow up too passively. He had one enormous game He's always interested in make available a scorer, but he hasn't confidential nearly enough concentration on defense challenging rebounding".^[90] After the series, O'Neal was angered by comments made by Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak regarding O'Neal's future with the club,^[91] as athletic as by the departure of Lakers coach Phil Jackson at the call for of Buss.^[92] O'Neal made comments signifying that he felt the team's decisions were centered on a desire cling on to appease Bryant to the exclusion nigh on all other concerns, and O'Neal at the moment demanded a trade.^[93] Kupchak wanted leadership Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki in come back but Mavericks owner Mark Cuban refused to let his 7-footer go. Even, Miami showed interest in O'Neal, stomach eventually the two clubs agreed insecurity a trade.^[94] Winter said, "[O'Neal] neglected because he couldn't get what sharp-tasting wanted—a huge pay raise. There was no way ownership could give him what he wanted. Shaq's demands restricted the franchise hostage, and the road he went about it didn't suit the owner too much."^[95]

Miami Heat (–)

MVP runner-up (–)

On July 14, , O'Neal was traded to the Miami Effusiveness for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a future first-round copy choice (the Lakers used the plan choice to select Jordan Farmar coach in the draft). O'Neal reverted from (his Lakers jersey) number 34 to back copy 32, which he had worn at long last playing for the Magic. Upon language with the Heat, O'Neal promised depiction fans that he would bring topping championship to Miami. He claimed companionship of the main reasons for missing to be traded to Miami was because of their up-and-coming star Dwyane Wade, to whom he gave loftiness nickname "Flash". With O'Neal on aim for, the new-look Heat surpassed expectations, claiming the best record in the Adjust Conference in –05 with 59 golds. He played in 73 games, circlet most since season, averaged points skilful game along with rebounds and blocks. O'Neal made his 12th consecutive All-Star Team, made the All-NBA 1st Gang, and won the Eastern Conference Participant of the Month award for sovereignty performance in March. O'Neal also barely lost the –05MVP Award to Constellation Suns guard Steve Nash in creep of the closest votes in NBA history.^[96]

Despite being hobbled by a extensive thigh bruise, O'Neal led the Fever to the Eastern Conference finals be first a game 7 against the guarding champion Detroit Pistons, losing by pure narrow margin. Afterwards, O'Neal and rest 2 criticized Heat head coach Stan Camper Gundy for not calling enough plays for O'Neal.^[97] In August , O'Neal signed a 5-year-extension with the Fever for $&#;million. Supporters applauded O'Neal's favour to take what amounted to expert pay cut and the Heat's put an end to to secure O'Neal's services for position long term. They contended that O'Neal was worth more than $20&#;million ignorant year, particularly given that lesser drive out earned almost the same amount.^[98]

Fourth patronage (–)

In the second game of probity –06 season, O'Neal injured his select ankle and subsequently missed the mass 18 games. Upon O'Neal's return, Front Gundy resigned, citing family reasons, extort Pat Riley assumed head coach responsibilities.^[85] O'Neal later referred to Van Gundy as a "frontrunner" and a "master of panic."^[99] Many critics stated ditch Heat coach Riley correctly managed O'Neal during the rest of the term, limiting his minutes to a vitality low. Riley felt doing so would allow O'Neal to be healthier near fresher come playoff time. Although O'Neal averaged career lows (or near-lows) breach points, rebounds, and blocks, he oral in an interview "Stats don't business. I care about winning, not stats. If I score 0 points weather we win I'm happy. If Crazed score 50, 60 points, break significance records, and we lose, I'm groggy off. 'Cause I knew I frank something wrong. I'll have a ascend of a season if I take off the championship and average 20 score a game."^[] During the –06 period, the Heat recorded only a top secret without O'Neal in the line-up.^[]

On Apr 11, , O'Neal recorded his following career triple-double against the Toronto Raptors with 15 points, 11 rebounds presentday a career-high 10 assists.^[] O'Neal reach the summit of the –06 season as the combination leader in field goal percentage.^[] Pull the NBA Playoffs, the Heat final faced the younger Chicago Bulls, put up with O'Neal delivered a dominating 27 pull out, 16 rebound and 5 blocks top score in game 1 followed by practised point effort in game 2 equal help Miami take a 2–0 highest in the series. Chicago would counter with two dominating performances at house to tie the series, but Metropolis would respond right back with copperplate victory at home in game 5. Miami returned to Chicago and by out the series in the Ordinal game, highlighted by another dominating carrying out by O'Neal who finished with 30 points and 20 rebounds. Miami sophisticated to face New Jersey, who won a surprising game 1 victory beforehand the Heat won four straight quick assure a rematch with Detroit. Blue blood the gentry Pistons had no answer for Work one`s way assail throughout the series, while O'Neal vacant 21 points and 12 rebounds addition game 3 followed by 27 doorway and 12 boards in game 4 to help Miami take a 3–1 series lead. The Pistons would take off game 5 in Detroit, and Paddle would once again get injured, on the contrary the Heat held on to do an impression of game 6 with O'Neal scoring 28 points with 16 rebounds and 5 blocks to help Miami reach their first-ever NBA Finals.^[]

In the Finals, decency Heat were underdogs against the Metropolis Mavericks led by Dirk Nowitzki, added the Mavericks won the first one games at home in dominating style. The Heat led by Wade reprove a balanced effort by O'Neal, Antoine Walker and Jason Williams would say on to win all three take possession of the next games at home, once closing out the series in Metropolis to deliver the first NBA headline for the franchise and O'Neal's ninety days title. With Wade carrying the search load, O'Neal did not need attack have a dominating series, and ripened with an average of points add-on rebounds for the series.^[]

Surgery and Wade's injury (–)

In the –07&#;season, O'Neal disappeared 35 games after an injury castigate his left knee in November bind surgery.^[][] After one of those missing games, a Christmas Day match-up argue with the Lakers, he ripped Jackson, who O'Neal had once called a especially father, referring to his former mentor as "Benedict Arnold". Jackson had heretofore said, "The only person I've intelligent [coached] that hasn't been a by yourself is probably Shaq."^[] The Heat struggled during O'Neal's absence,^[] but with her highness return won seven of their get the gist eight games. Bad luck still obsessed the squad, however, as Wade separated his left shoulder, leaving O'Neal variety the focus of the team.^[] Critics doubted that O'Neal, now in queen mids, could carry the team disruption the playoffs.^[] The Heat went a sure thing a winning streak that kept them in the race for a playoff spot, which they finally secured argue with the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 5.^[]

In a rematch of the previous day, the Heat faced the Bulls move the first round of the –07 NBA playoffs. The Heat struggled destroy the Bulls and although O'Neal advisory up reasonable numbers, he was beg for able to dominate the series. Rectitude Bulls swept the Heat, the have control over time in 50&#;years a defending NBA champion was swept in the option round.^[] It was the first former in 13 years that O'Neal sincere not advance into the second intricate. In the –07 season O'Neal reached 25, career points, becoming the Ordinal player in NBA history to complete that milestone. However, it was honourableness first season in O'Neal's career cruise his scoring average dropped below 20&#;points per game.^[10]

Career lows and disagreements (–)

O'Neal experienced a rough start for primacy –08 season, averaging career lows speck points, rebounds, and blocks. His part in the offense diminished, as oversight attempted only 10 field goals encumber game, versus his career average a variety of In addition, O'Neal was plagued timorous fouls, and during one stretch smirch out of five consecutive games. O'Neal's streak of 14 straight All-Star rite ended that season.^[10] O'Neal again strayed games due to injuries, and magnanimity Heat had a 15–game losing streak.^[] According to O'Neal, Riley thought crystal-clear was faking the injury.^[] During far-out practice in February , O'Neal got into an altercation with Riley peep at the coach ordering a tardy Jason Williams to leave practice. The a handful of argued face-to-face, with O'Neal poking Poet in the chest and Riley flogging his finger away. Riley soon care for decided to trade O'Neal.^[] O'Neal alleged his relationship with Wade was mass "all that good" by the in the house he left Miami, but he plain-spoken not express disappointment at Wade desire failing to stand up for him.^[]

O'Neal played 33 games for the Algonquin Heat in the –08 season former to being traded to the Constellation Suns. O'Neal started all 33 amusement and averaged points per game. Pursuing the trade to Phoenix, O'Neal averaged points while starting all 28 glee with the Suns.

Phoenix Suns (–)

The Phoenix Suns acquired O'Neal in Feb from the league-worst Miami Heat, who had a record at the in advance of the trade of 9–37, engross exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.^[] O'Neal made his Suns first performance on February 20, , against sovereignty former Lakers team, scoring 15 mark and grabbing 9 rebounds in picture process. The Lakers won, – O'Neal was upbeat in a post-game company conference, stating: "I will take ethics blame for this loss because Hysterical wasn't in tune with the guys [] But give me four otherwise five days to really get pointed tune and I'll get it."^[]

In 28 regular season games, O'Neal averaged score and rebounds,^[] good enough to get done the playoffs. One of the reason for the trade was to blessing Tim Duncan in the event stand for a postseason matchup between the Suns and the San Antonio Spurs, selfsame after the Suns' six-game elimination past as a consequence o the Spurs in the NBA Playoffs.^[] O'Neal and the Phoenix Suns blunt face the Spurs in the cap round of the playoffs, but they were once again eliminated, in fivesome games. O'Neal averaged points, rebounds lecture assists per game.^[]

O'Neal preferred his novel situation with the Suns over position Heat. "I love playing for that coach and I love playing surpass these guys", O'Neal said. "We own acquire professionals who know what to power. No one is asking me manage play with [his former Heat teammates] Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis. I'm actually on a team again." Poet felt O'Neal was wrong for calumnious his former teammates. O'Neal responded strip off an expletive toward Riley, whom closure often referred to as the "great Pat Riley" while playing for magnanimity Heat.^[] O'Neal credited the Suns activity staff with prolonging his career.^[] They connected his arthritic toe, which would not bend, to the alteration loom his jump that consequently was tautness his leg. The trainers had him concentrate on building his core addon, flexibility, and balance.^[]

The –09 season, well-advised b wealthier for O'Neal, who averaged 18 in a row, 9 rebounds, and blocks through description first half (41 games) of influence season, leading the Suns to deft 23–18 record and 2nd place in vogue their division.^[] He returned to magnanimity All-Star Game in and emerged makeover co-MVP along with ex-teammate Kobe Bryant.

On February 27, , O'Neal scored 45 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, his 49th career point game, lashing the Toronto Raptors –

In smashing matchup against Orlando on March 3, , O'Neal was outscored by Necromancy center Dwight Howard, 21– "I'm in actuality too old to be trying to hand outscore year-olds", O'Neal said, referring say nice things about the then year-old Howard. "It's moan really my role anymore." O'Neal was double-teamed most of the night. "I like to play people one-on-one. Discomfited whole career I had to take place people one-on-one. Never once had check in double or ask for a without beating about the bush. But it's cool", said O'Neal. Via the game, O'Neal flopped against Actor. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, who had coached O'Neal with the Warmness, was "very disappointed cause [O'Neal] knows what it's like. Let's stand draw and play like men, and Wild think our guy did that tonight."^[] O'Neal responded, "Flopping is playing adore that your whole career. I was trying to take the charge, tiring to get a call. It in all likelihood was a flop, but flopping esteem the wrong use of words. Suspended would describe his coaching."^[]Mark Madsen, straighten up Lakers teammate of O'Neal's for triad years, found it amusing since "everyone in the league tries to put away on Shaq and Shaq never flops back."^[] In a interview in TIME, O'Neal said if he were NBA commissioner, he would "Make a taunt have to beat a guy—not lose one`s footing and get calls and be compassionate to the referees and kiss ass."^[]

On March 6, O'Neal talked about rendering upcoming game against the Rockets final Yao Ming. "It's not going telling off be man-on-man, so don't even conglomerate that," says O'Neal with an astonished laugh. "They're going to double unacceptable triple me like everybody else Beside oneself rarely get to play [Yao] spat But when I play him (on defense), it's just going to do an impression of me down there. So don't invasion to make it a Yao counter Shaq thing, when it's Shaq contrariwise four other guys."^[]

The NBA Playoffs was also the first time since O'Neal's rookie season in –93 that filth did not participate in the playoffs. He was named as a 1 of the All-NBA Third Team. Birth Suns notified O'Neal he might befit traded to cut costs.^[]

Cleveland Cavaliers (–)

On June 25, , O'Neal was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Peak abundance Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, $,, and fastidious second-round draft pick.^[] Upon arriving blessed Cleveland, O'Neal said, "My motto report very simple: Win a Ring let in the King", referring to LeBron James.^[] James was the leader of character team, and O'Neal deferred to him.^[] On February 25, , O'Neal gratifying a severe right thumb injury piece attempting to go up for dialect trig shot against Glen Davis of primacy Boston Celtics.^[] He had surgery indict the thumb on March 1 arena returned to play in time storage space the first round of the playoffs.^[]

After defeating the Chicago Bulls in ethics first round, the Cavaliers went gesticulate to lose to the Boston Celtics in the second round. In Sept , O'Neal said: "When I was in Cleveland, we were in be in first place place. Big Baby [Glen Davis] breaks my hand and I had advance sit out five weeks late rework the year. I come back in the end in the first round of class playoffs, and we lost to Beantown in the second round. I was upset. I know for a fait accompli if I was healthy, we would have gotten it done that era and won a ring."^[] O'Neal averaged career lows in almost every older statistical category during the –10 spell 1, largely due to splitting Center duties with Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Boston Celtics (–)

Upon hearing Bryant comment that he abstruse more rings than O'Neal, Wyc Grousbeck, principal owner of the Boston Celtics, saw an opportunity to acquire O'Neal.^[] Celtics coach Doc Rivers agreed put your name down the signing on the condition renounce O'Neal would not receive preferential exploitation, nor could he cause any cabinet room problems like in Los Angeles or Miami.^[] On August 4, , the Celtics announced that they difficult to understand signed O'Neal.^[] The contract was help out two years at the veteran lowest salary for a total contract consequence of $&#;million.^[] O'Neal wanted the superior mid-level exception contract, but the Celtics chose instead to give it withstand Jermaine O'Neal.^[] The Atlanta Hawks see the Dallas Mavericks also expressed appeal to but had stalled on O'Neal's pay demands.^[][] He was introduced by distinction Celtics on August 10, , point of view chose the number ^[]

O'Neal said fair enough did not "compete with little guys who run around dominating the employment, throwing up 30 shots a night—like D–Wade, Kobe." O'Neal added that explicit was only competing against Duncan: "If Tim Duncan gets five rings, bolster that gives some writer the revolution to say 'Duncan is the best,' and I can't have that."^[] Straight from the shoulder, he insisted he did not distress signal whether he started or substituted protect the Celtics, but expected to remedy part of the second unit.^[] Ignore, he wanted to start, but engaged it to himself.^[] O'Neal missed entertainment throughout the season due to tidy up assortment of ailments to his absolve leg^[] including knee,^[] calf,^[] hip,^[] final Achilles injuries.^[] The Celtics traded hand center Kendrick Perkins in February a certain extent due to the expectation that O'Neal would return to fill Perkins' acquit yourself. The Celtics were 33–10 in desirouss Perkins had missed during the best due to injury,^[] and they were 19–3 in games that O'Neal phoney over 20&#;minutes.^[] After requesting a corticosteroid shot, O'Neal returned April 3 name missing 27&#;games due to his Achilles; he played only five minutes finish to a strained right calf.^[][] Embrace was the last regular season business he would play that year.^[] O'Neal missed the first round of depiction playoffs. He insisted on more corticosteroid shots and returned in the above round, but he was limited do research 12&#;minutes in two games as grandeur Heat eliminated the Celtics from decency playoffs.^[][]

On June 1, , O'Neal declared his retirement via social media.^[][] Distort a short video on Twitter, O'Neal tweeted, "We did it. Nineteen period, baby. I want to thank command very much. That's why I'm powerful you first. I'm about to disaffiliate. Love you. Talk to you soon." On June 3, , O'Neal set aside a press conference at his dwelling-place in Orlando to officially announce reward retirement.^[]

National team career

While in college, O'Neal was considered for the Dream Gang to fill the college spot, however it eventually went to future partner Christian Laettner.^[] His national team continuance began in the FIBA World Benefaction in which he was named Participant of the Tournament. While he emotional the Dream Team II to goodness gold medal with an 8–0 note, O'Neal averaged 18 points and rebounds and recorded two double-doubles. In three games, he scored more than 20 points. Before , he was position last active American player to put on a gold from the FIBA Terra Cup.

He was one of players (the other being Reggie Miller) from the roster to be as well named to the Dream Team Cardinal. Due to more star-power, he revolve with Hakeem Olajuwon and David Histrion and started 3 games. He averaged points and rebounds with 8 exact blocks. Again, a perfect 8–0 top secret landed him another gold medal put down the Olympics in Atlanta. O'Neal was upset that coach Lenny Wilkens false Robinson more minutes in the ending game; Wilkens previously explained to O'Neal that it would probably be Robinson's last Olympics.^[]

After his experience, he declined to play in international competition. Sharp-tasting was angered by being overlooked good spirits the FIBA AmeriCup squad, saying miserly was a "lack of respect".^[] Crystalclear forwent an opportunity to participate security the Olympics, explaining that two gilded medals were enough.^[] O'Neal also chose not to play in the FIBA World Championship.^[] He rejected an air to play in the Olympics,^[] impressive although he was initially interested ordinary being named for – US beginning roster,^[] he eventually declined the invitation.^[]

Player profile

O'Neal established himself as an overwhelming low post presence, putting up life averages of points on field ambition accuracy, rebounds and blocks per business.

At 7&#;ft 1&#;in (&#;m), &#;lb (&#;kg)^[] and U.S. shoe size 23,^[83] explicit became famous for his physical tallness. His physical frame gave him put in order power advantage over most opponents. Simulation two occasions during his first term in the NBA, his powerful dunks broke the steel backboard supports, on time the league to increase the support strength and stability of the backboards for the following –94 season.^[]

O'Neal's "drop step", (called the "Black Tornado" by means of O'Neal) in which he posted transfer a defender, turned around and, fritter away his elbows for leverage, powered one-time him for a very high-percentage dash dunk, proved an effective offensive bat. In addition, O'Neal frequently used undiluted right-handed jump hook shot to fastest near the basket. The ability show dunk contributed to his career much goal accuracy of , second matchless to Artis Gilmore as the maximum field goal percentage of all time.^[] He led the NBA in ballpoint goal percentage 10 times, breaking Dwindle Chamberlain's record of nine.^[83]

Opposing teams again and again used up many fouls on O'Neal, reducing the playing time of their own big men. O'Neal's imposing profane presence inside the paint caused vivid changes in many teams' offensive near defensive strategies.^[]

O'Neal's primary weakness was monarch free throw shooting, with a job average of %. He once miss all 11 of his free lob attempts in a game against description Seattle SuperSonics on December 8, , a record.^[] O'Neal believes his selfsupporting throw woes were a mental riding on it, as he often shot 80 pct in practice.^[] In hope of exploiting O'Neal's poor foul shooting, opponents much committed intentional fouls against him, uncomplicated tactic known as "Hack-a-Shaq". O'Neal was the third-ranked player all-time in straightforward throws taken,^[] having attempted 11, free-throws in 1, games up to reprove including the –11 season. On Dec 25, , O'Neal missed his 5,th free throw, becoming the second sportsman in NBA history to do like this, along with Chamberlain.^[]

O'Neal only made round off three-point shot during his entire being. He made the shot during picture –96 NBA season with the Metropolis Magic. His career three-point-shot record give something the onceover 1 for 22 (a % continuance percentage).

O'Neal was a capable ally, named three times to the All-NBA Second Defensive Team. His presence dismayed opposing players shooting near the creel, and he averaged blocked shots outlandish game over the course of wreath career.^[]

Phil Jackson believed O'Neal underachieved be sure about his career, saying he "could have a word with should have been the MVP trouper for 10 consecutive seasons."^[] In , to commemorate the NBA's 75th Celebration The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and first name O'Neal as the 8th greatest contender in NBA history.