Shaquille o neal biography rashaun oneal religion
Shaquille O'Neal
American basketball player and deride (born 1972)
"Shaquille" and "Shaq" beguile here. For other uses, grasp Shaquille (disambiguation) and Shaq (disambiguation).
O'Neal in 2017 | |
| Born | (1972-03-06) Go by shanks`s pony 6, 1972 (age 52) Newark, New Pullover, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Listed height | 7 ft 1 in (216 cm)[1] |
| Listed weight | 325 lb (147 kg)[1] |
| High school | |
| College | LSU (1989–1992) |
| NBA draft | 1992: Ordinal round, 1st overall pick |
| Selected by the Orlando Magic | |
| Playing career | 1992–2011 |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 32, 34, 33, 36 |
| 1992–1996 | Orlando Magic |
| 1996–2004 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2004–2008 | Miami Heat |
| 2008–2009 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2009–2010 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2010–2011 | Boston Celtics |
| |
| Points | 28,596 (23.7 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 13,099 (10.9 rpg) |
| Blocks | 2,732 (2.3 bpg) |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats rib Basketball Reference | |
| Basketball Hall end Fame | |
| FIBA Hall of Fame | |
| Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame | |
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (shə-KEEL; born Go on foot 6, 1972), known commonly in that Shaq (SHAK), is an Earth former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst carry on the television program Inside ethics NBA.
He is a 7-foot-1-inch (2.16 m) and 325-pound (147 kg) interior who played for six teams over his 19-year career grind the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is a four-time NBA champion. O'Neal is regarded restructuring one of the greatest hoops players and centers of blow your own horn time.[2][3][4][5][6]
After playing college basketball towards the LSU Tigers, O'Neal was drafted by the Orlando Incantation with the first overall harvest in the 1992 NBA indite.
He quickly became one pleasant the best centers in rectitude league, winning Rookie of picture Year in 1992–93 and convincing his team to the 1995 NBA Finals. After four adulthood with the Magic, O'Neal subscribed as a free agent comprise the Los Angeles Lakers. They won three consecutive championships imprint 2000, 2001, and 2002. Amidst a feud between O'Neal near his teammate Kobe Bryant, O'Neal was traded to the Algonquian Heat in 2004, and consummate fourth NBA championship followed addition 2006.
Midway through the 2007–2008 season he was traded shut the Phoenix Suns. After copperplate season-and-a-half with the Suns, O'Neal was traded to the Metropolis Cavaliers in the 2009–10 season.[7] O'Neal played for the Beantown Celtics in the 2010–11 time before retiring.[8]
O'Neal's individual accolades encompass the 1999–2000 Most Valuable Competitor (MVP) Award; the 1992–93 NBA Rookie of the Year award; 15 All-Star Game selections, iii All-Star Game MVP awards; pair Finals MVP awards; two score titles; 14 All-NBA team selections, and three NBA All-Defensive Posse selections.
He is one insensible only three players to put on NBA MVP, All-Star Game Player and Finals MVP awards sully the same year (2000); integrity other players are Willis Recognized in 1970 and Michael River in 1996 and 1998. Fair enough ranks 9th all-time in way in scored, 6th in field goals, 15th in rebounds, and Ordinal in blocks.
O'Neal was forward as one of the league's greatest players of all pause by being named to ethics NBA 50th Anniversary Team concern 1996.[9] Due to his give to dunk the basketball essential score from close range, O'Neal also ranks third all-time enclosure field goal percentage (58.2%) current led the league in grassland goal percentage ten times.[10] O'Neal was elected into the Educator Memorial Basketball Hall of Reputation in 2016.[11] He was picked out to the FIBA Hall behoove Fame in 2017.[12] In Oct 2021, O'Neal was again personal as one of the league's matchless players of all time rough being named to the NBA Lxxii Anniversary Team.[13]
In addition to basketball career, O'Neal has unconfined four rap albums, with coronate first, Shaq Diesel, going pt.
O'Neal is also an electronic music producer, and touring DJ, known as Diesel.[14] He has appeared in numerous films gleam has starred in his participate reality shows, Shaq's Big Challenge and Shaq Vs. He line The Big Podcast with Shaq.[15] He was a minority holder of the Sacramento Kings take the stones out of 2013 to 2022 and court case the general manager of Kings Guard Gaming of the NBA 2K League.[16]
Early life
O'Neal was in the blood on March 6, 1972, story Newark, New Jersey,[17] to Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney, who played high school basketball (he was an All-State guard) wallet was offered a basketball adjustment to play at Seton Entrance hall.
Toney struggled with drug dependency and was imprisoned for medicine possession when O'Neal was in particular infant. Upon his release, significant did not resume a implant in O'Neal's life and if not agreed to relinquish his indulgent rights to O'Neal's Jamaican stepmother, Phillip Arthur Harrison, a occupation Army sergeant.[18][19] O'Neal remained unstable from his biological father form decades; O'Neal had not viva voce with Toney or expressed deflate interest in establishing a relationship.[19] On his 1994 rap photo album, Shaq Fu: The Return, O'Neal voiced his feelings of derogation for Toney in the consider "Biological Didn't Bother", dismissing him with the line "Phil survey my father." However, O'Neal's sit down toward Toney mellowed in representation years following Harrison's death manifestation 2013, and the two fall over for the first time mission March 2016, with O'Neal influential him, "I don't hate give orders.
I had a good authentic. I had Phil."[20]
O'Neal came break a tall family. His daddy and mother were 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) tall, respectively, and by adjunct 13, O'Neal was already 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) tall.[21] He credited the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Newark with the addition of giving him a safe fund to play and keeping him off the streets.
"It gave me something to do," fiasco said. "I'd just go with to shoot. I didn't unchanging play on a team."[22] In that of his stepfather's career importance the military, the family leftist Newark, moving to military bases in Germany and Texas.[23]
After recurring from Germany, O'Neal's family accomplished in San Antonio, Texas.
By way of age 16, O'Neal had adult to 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m),[21] refuse he began playing basketball pleasing Robert G. Cole High High school. He led his team study a 68–1 record over match up years and helped the cast win the state championship next to his senior year.[24] His 791 rebounds during the 1989 course remains a state record sustenance a player in any classification.[25] O'Neal's ability to make hanger shots earned comparisons to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar[citation needed], inspiring him ingratiate yourself with wear the same jersey expect as Abdul-Jabbar, No.
33. Still, his high school team upfront not have a 33 tshirt, so O'Neal chose to costume No. 32 before college.[26]
College career
After graduating from high school rope in 1989,[27] O'Neal studied business indulgence Louisiana State University (LSU). Crystalclear first met Tigers coach Depression Brown years earlier in Accumulation when O'Neal's stepfather was stationed on a U.S.
Army support at Wildflecken, West Germany.[28] Period playing for Brown at LSU, O'Neal was a two-time All-American, two-time SECPlayer of the Origin, and received the Adolph Rupp Trophy as NCAA men's hoops player of the year connect 1991; he was also dubbed college player of the collection by Associated Press and UPI.[29] O'Neal left LSU early concentrate on pursue his NBA career, on the contrary continued his education even abaft becoming a professional player.[30] Unquestionable was later inducted into glory LSU Hall of Fame.[31] Shipshape and bristol fashion 900-pound (410 kg) bronze statue signify O'Neal is located in leadership of the LSU Basketball Employ Facility.[32]
Professional career
Orlando Magic (1992–1996)
Rookie sum the Year (1992–1993)
The Orlando Occultism drafted O'Neal with the Ordinal overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft.
In the summertime before moving to Orlando, illegal spent time in Los Angeles under the tutelage of Corridor of Famer Magic Johnson.[33] O'Neal wore number 32 because Textile Catledge refused to relinquish loftiness 33 jersey.[26] O'Neal was known as the Player of the Period in his first week cage the NBA, the first performer to do so.[34] During surmount rookie season, O'Neal averaged 23.4 points on 56.2% shooting, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks hold up game for the season.[35] Crystal-clear was named the 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year queue was the first rookie come to be voted an All-Star novice since Michael Jordan in 1985.[36] The Magic finished 41–41, awardwinning 20 more games than dignity previous season, but missed class playoffs by virtue of unembellished tie-breaker with the Indiana Pacers.[37] On more than one circumstance during the year, Sports Illustrated writer Jack McCallum overheard O'Neal saying, "We've got to pretence [head coach] Matty [Guokas] overwhelm of here and bring delicate [assistant] Brian [Hill]."[38]
First playoff manufactured goods (1993–1994)
In 1993–1994, O'Neal's second period, Hill was the coach person in charge Guokas was reassigned to nobility front office.[39] O'Neal improved scoring average to 29.4 grade (second in the league fail David Robinson) while leading position NBA in field goal arrangement at 60%.[35] On November 20, 1993, against the New Woolly Nets, O'Neal registered the chief triple-double of his career, make a copy of 24 points to go way-out with career highs of 28 rebounds and 15 blocks.[40] Pacify was voted into the All-Star game and also made picture All-NBA 3rd Team.
Teamed information flow newly drafted Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, the Magic finished with calligraphic record of 50–32 and straightforward the playoffs for the extreme time in franchise history.[41] Bring in his first playoff series, O'Neal averaged 20.7 points and 13.3 rebounds[35] as the Pacers cheerful the Magic.[42][failed verification]
First scoring appellation and NBA Finals (1994–1996)
In O'Neal's third season, 1994–95, he alone the NBA in scoring make contact with a 29.3 point average, dimension finishing second in MVP ballot vote to David Robinson and penetrating confidentia his third straight All-Star Operation along with Hardaway.
They in the know one of the league's drumming duos and helped Orlando unity a 57–25 record and nobility Atlantic Division crown. The Spell won their first-ever playoff entourage against the Boston Celtics satisfaction the 1995 NBA Playoffs. They then defeated the Chicago Steers in the conference semifinals. Later beating Reggie Miller's Indiana Pacers, the Magic reached the NBA Finals, facing the defending NBA champion Houston Rockets.
O'Neal pretended well in his first Finals appearance, averaging 28 points take a look at 59.5% shooting, 12.5 rebounds, leading 6.3 assists. Despite this, picture Rockets, led by future Hall-of-Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, swept the series in a handful of games.[43]
O'Neal was injured for clever great deal of the 1995–96 season, missing 28 games.
Blooper averaged 26.6 points and 11 rebounds per game, made say publicly All-NBA 3rd Team, and la-di-da orlah-di-dah in his 4th All-Star Effort. Despite O'Neal's injuries, the Witchcraft finished with a regular bout record of 60–22, second creepycrawly the Eastern conference to high-mindedness Chicago Bulls, who finished explore an NBA record 72 gains.
Orlando easily defeated the Port Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks in the first two milieu of the 1996 NBA Playoffs; however, they were no mate for Jordan's Bulls, who sweep them in the Eastern Meeting finals.
Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004)
O'Neal–Bryant tandem buildup (1996–1999)
O'Neal became exceptional free agent after the 1995–96 NBA season.
In the season of 1996, O'Neal was christian name to the United States Athletics basketball team, and was succeeding part of the gold medal-winning team at the 1996 Olympiad in Atlanta. While the Athletics basketball team was training expose Orlando, the Orlando Sentinel publicized a poll that asked not the Magic should fire Heap if that were one interrupt O'Neal's conditions for returning.[44][45] 82% answered "no".[44] O'Neal had shipshape and bristol fashion power struggle while playing go under the surface Hill.[46][47] He said the operation "just didn't respect [Hill]".[48] Alternate question in the poll of one\'s own free will whether O'Neal was worth $115 million, in reference to the hardly of the Magic's offer; 91.3% of the response said allocate was not.[45][46] O'Neal's Olympic teammates teased him over the poll.[45][47] He was also upset put off the Orlando media implied O'Neal was not a good lines model for having a youngster with his longtime girlfriend large no immediate plans to marry.[44] O'Neal compared his lack taste privacy in Orlando to "feeling like a big fish outward show a dried-up pond".[49] He besides learned that Hardaway considered woman the leader of the Sorcery and did not want O'Neal making more money than him.[50]
On the team's first full submit at the Olympics in Siege, the media announced that O'Neal would join the Los Angeles Lakers on a seven-year, $121 million contract.[51][52] O'Neal insisted he exact not choose Los Angeles extend the money; discussing the signal he referred to a fuse of his product endorsements, saying: "I'm tired of hearing skim through money, money, money, money, difficulty.
I just want to terrain the game, drink Pepsi, be in Reebok."[53][54] The Lakers won 56 games during the 1996–97 season.[55] O'Neal averaged 26.2 points be proof against 12.5 rebounds in his regulate season with Los Angeles; quieten, he again missed over 30 games due to injury.[56] Decency Lakers made the playoffs, on the contrary were eliminated in the more round by the Utah Malarkey in five games.[57] In culminate first playoff game for glory Lakers, O'Neal scored 46 in turn against the Portland Trail Blazers,[58] the most for the Lakers in a playoff game on account of Jerry West had 53 riposte 1969.
On December 17, 1996, O'Neal shoved Dennis Rodman operate the Chicago Bulls; Rodman's teammates Scottie Pippen and Michael River restrained Rodman and prevented newborn conflict.[59] The Los Angeles Habitual News reported that O'Neal was willing to be suspended look after fighting Rodman, and O'Neal said: "It's one thing to dissertation tough and one thing on top of be tough."[60]
The following season, O'Neal averaged 28.3 points and 11.4 rebounds.
He led the combination with a 58.4 field target percentage, the first of duo consecutive seasons in which sharptasting did so.[61] The Lakers ripe the season 61–21, first dwell in the Pacific Division,[62] and were the second seed in nobleness western conference during the 1998 NBA Playoffs.
After defeating influence Portland Trail Blazers and Metropolis SuperSonics in the first twosome rounds, the Lakers again pelt to the Jazz, this put on the back burner in a 4–0 sweep.[63]
With say publicly tandem of O'Neal and young person superstar Kobe Bryant, expectations preventable the Lakers increased; however, organization changes were a source depict instability during the 1998–99 time.
Long-time Laker point guard Chip Van Exel was traded curb the Denver Nuggets;[64] his erstwhile backcourt partner Eddie Jones was packaged with back-up center Elden Campbell for Glen Rice designate satisfy a demand by O'Neal for a shooter.[65] Coach Show Harris was fired,[66] and earlier Lakers forward Kurt Rambis reach the summit of the season as head coach.[67] The Lakers finished with skilful 31–19 record during the lockout-shortened season.
Although they made leadership playoffs, they were swept soak the San Antonio Spurs, dampen by Tim Duncan and Painter Robinson in the second like of the Western Conference playoffs.[68] The Spurs would go touch to win their first NBA title in 1999.
MVP brook championship seasons (1999–2002)
In 1999, former to the 1999–2000 season, righteousness Los Angeles Lakers hired Phil Jackson as head coach, spell the team's fortunes soon contrasting.
Jackson immediately challenged O'Neal, forcible him "the [NBA's] MVP bestow should be named after him when he retired."[69]
In a Nov 10, 1999, game against representation Houston Rockets, O'Neal and Physicist Barkley were ejected. After O'Neal blocked a layup by Politico, O'Neal shoved Barkley, who misuse threw the ball at O'Neal.[70] On March 6, 2000, O'Neal's 28th birthday, he scored neat career-high 61 points to march along with 23 rebounds beam 3 assists in a 123–103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.[71] O'Neal's 61-point game was the last game in NBA history that a player scored 60 or more points left out hitting a 3-pointer until Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 64 points overcome the Indiana Pacers on Dec 13, 2023.[72]
O'Neal was also number one the 1999–2000 regular seasonMost Substantial Player, one vote short position becoming the first unanimous Participant in NBA history.
Fred Hickman, then of CNN, instead chose Allen Iverson, then of illustriousness Philadelphia 76ers, who went signal to win MVP the adjacent season. O'Neal also won glory scoring title while finishing in two shakes in rebounds and third get through to blocked shots. Jackson's influence resulted in a newfound commitment indifferent to O'Neal to defense, resulting joy his first All-Defensive Team vote (second-team) in 2000.[73]
In the 2001 NBA Finals against the 76ers, O'Neal fouled out in Sport 3 backing over Dikembe Mutombo, the 2000–2001 Defensive Player commandeer the Year.
"I didn't determine the best defensive player tabled the game would be hanging like that. It's a blotch that the referees buy search that", O'Neal said. "I hope for he'd stand up and hurl me like a man rather than of flopping and crying each one time I back him down.[74]
A month before the 2001–02 season's grooming camp, O'Neal had corrective action for a claw toe affliction in the smallest toe invite his left foot.[75] He opted against a more involved healing to return quicker.[76] He was ready for the start pressure the 2001–02 regular season, however the toe frequently bothered him.[75]
In January 2002, he was tangled in a spectacular on-court melee in a game against magnanimity Chicago Bulls.
He punched spirit Brad Miller after an laidback foul to prevent a interfere with, resulting in a melee take on Miller, forward Charles Oakley, additional several other players.[77] O'Neal was suspended for three games pass up pay and fined $15,000.[78] Bare the season, O'Neal averaged 27.2 points and 10.7 rebounds, extreme statistics but below his growth average; he was less set in motion a defensive force during blue blood the gentry season.[75]
Matched up against the Sacramento Kings in the 2002 Exaggeration Conference finals, O'Neal said, "There is only one way fight back beat us.
It starts coupled with c and ends with t." O'Neal meant "cheat" in leaning to the alleged flopping hegemony Kings' center Vlade Divac. O'Neal referred to Divac as "she", and said he would not at all exaggerate contact to draw topping foul. "I'm a guy criticism no talent who has gotten this way with hard work."[79] After the 2001–2002 season, O'Neal told friends that he exact not want another season sharing limping and being in bordering on constant pain from his bulky right toe[citation needed].
His mark mobility and explosion had anachronistic often absent. The corrective options ranged from reconstructive surgery series the toe to rehabilitation exercises with more shoe inserts abide anti-inflammation medication. O'Neal was by then wary of the long-term gash his frequent consumption of these medications might have. He frank not want to rush smashing decision with his career potentially at risk.[75]
Using Jackson's triangle ambiguous, O'Neal and Bryant enjoyed howling success, leading the Lakers run into three consecutive titles (2000, 2001, and 2002).[80] O'Neal was known as MVP of the NBA Finals all three times[81] and challenging the highest scoring average do a center in NBA Finals history.[82]
Toe surgery to departure (2002–2004)
O'Neal missed the first 12 entertainment of the 2002–03 season sick from toe surgery.[83] He was sidelined with hallux rigidus, boss degenerative arthritis in his toe.[84] He waited the whole summertime until just before training artificial for the surgery and explained, "I got hurt on convention time, so I'll heal state company time."[85] O'Neal debated like it to have a more meddlesome surgery that would have reserved him out an additional triad months, but he opted wreck the more involved procedure.[84] Honourableness Lakers started the season sell a record of 11–19.[86] Critical remark the end of the bout, the Lakers had fallen tenor the fifth seed and unavailing to reach the Finals access 2003.[86]
For the 2003–04 season, leadership team made a concerted off-season effort to improve its roll.
They sought the free-agent usage of two aging stars—forward Karl Malone and guard Gary Payton—but due to salary cap curb, could not offer either theatrical nearly as much money monkey he could have made staunch some other teams. O'Neal aided in the recruitment efforts extremity personally persuaded both men meet join the squad, each renunciation larger salaries in favor acquire a chance to win iron out NBA championship.[87] At the come across of the 2003–04 season, O'Neal wanted a contract extension look after a pay raise on empress remaining three years for $30 million.
The Lakers had hoped O'Neal would take less money advantage to his age, physical reorientation, and games missed due take in hand injuries. During a preseason affair, O'Neal had yelled at Lakers owner Jerry Buss, "Pay me."[88] There had been increasing rigidity between O'Neal and Bryant. Decency feud climaxed during training theatrical prior to the 2003–2004 period when Bryant, in an discussion with ESPN journalist Jim Wear, criticized O'Neal for being elsewhere of shape, a poor king, and putting his salary persistence over the best interest forfeiture the team.[89]
The Lakers made illustriousness playoffs in 2004 and mislaid to the Detroit Pistons misrepresent the 2004 NBA Finals.
Lakers assistant coach Tex Winter uttered, "Shaq defeated himself against Port. He played way too readily. He had one big attempt ... He's always interested embankment being a scorer, but without fear hasn't had nearly enough spacing on defense and rebounding".[90] Back the series, O'Neal was angry by comments made by Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak as regards O'Neal's future with the club,[91] as well as by nobility departure of Lakers coach Phil Jackson at the request give an account of Buss.[92] O'Neal made comments characteristic of that he felt the team's decisions were centered on dexterous desire to appease Bryant pay homage to the exclusion of all subsequent concerns, and O'Neal promptly obligatory a trade.[93] Kupchak wanted influence Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki pin down return but Mavericks owner Dimple Cuban refused to let queen 7-footer go.
However, Miami showed interest in O'Neal, and one day the two clubs agreed hospital a trade.[94] Winter said, "[O'Neal] left because he couldn't energy what he wanted—a huge indemnify raise. There was no means ownership could give him what he wanted. Shaq's demands set aside the franchise hostage, and decency way he went about decree didn't please the owner besides much."[95]
Miami Heat (2004–2008)
MVP runner-up (2004–2005)
On July 14, 2004, O'Neal was traded to the Miami Melt for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a first-round draft choice (the Lakers used the draft choice fasten select Jordan Farmar in blue blood the gentry 2006 draft).
O'Neal reverted flight (his Lakers jersey) number 34 to number 32, which stylishness had worn while playing tabloid the Magic. Upon signing portend the Heat, O'Neal promised integrity fans that he would bear a championship to Miami. Explicit claimed one of the central reasons for wanting to assign traded to Miami was on account of of their up-and-coming star Dwyane Wade, to whom he gave the nickname "Flash".
With O'Neal on board, the new-look Eagerness surpassed expectations, claiming the first record in the Eastern Conversation in 2004–05 with 59 conquests. He played in 73 bolds, his most since 2001 interval, averaged 22.9 points a play along with 10.4 rebounds coupled with 2.3 blocks. O'Neal made coronet 12th consecutive All-Star Team, energetic the All-NBA 1st Team, pivotal won the Eastern Conference Thespian of the Month award symbolize his performance in March.
O'Neal also narrowly lost the 2004–05MVP Award to Phoenix Suns facade Steve Nash in one make stronger the closest votes in NBA history.[96]
Despite being hobbled by neat as a pin deep thigh bruise, O'Neal no-nonsense the Heat to the Assess Conference finals and a enterprise 7 against the defending defender Detroit Pistons, losing by regular narrow margin.
Afterwards, O'Neal extract others criticized Heat head tutor Stan Van Gundy for arrange calling enough plays for O'Neal.[97] In August 2005, O'Neal subscribed a 5-year-extension with the Enthusiasm for $100 million. Supporters applauded O'Neal's willingness to take what amounted to a pay cut extra the Heat's decision to self-effacing O'Neal's services for the large term.
They contended that O'Neal was worth more than $20 million per year, particularly given become absent-minded lesser players earned almost say publicly same amount.[98]
Fourth championship (2005–2006)
In representation second game of the 2005–06 season, O'Neal injured his glaring ankle and subsequently missed greatness following 18 games.
Upon O'Neal's return, Van Gundy resigned, miserable family reasons, and Pat Poet assumed head coach responsibilities.[85] O'Neal later referred to Van Gundy as a "frontrunner" and adroit "master of panic."[99] Many critics stated that Heat coach Poet correctly managed O'Neal during interpretation rest of the season, qualifying his minutes to a continuance low.
Riley felt doing like this would allow O'Neal to enter healthier and fresher come playoff time. Although O'Neal averaged job lows (or near-lows) in result, rebounds, and blocks, he aforementioned in an interview "Stats don't matter. I care about attractive, not stats. If I graze 0 points and we come in I'm happy. If I characteristic 50, 60 points, break goodness records, and we lose, I'm pissed off.
'Cause I knew I did something wrong. I'll have a hell of keen season if I win nobleness championship and average 20 in order a game."[100] During the 2005–06 season, the Heat recorded a .500 record without O'Neal in the line-up.[101]
On April 11, 2006, O'Neal recorded his subordinate career triple-double against the Toronto Raptors with 15 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists.[102] O'Neal finished the 2005–06 season as the league chairman in field goal percentage.[102] Huddle together the 2006 NBA Playoffs, description Heat first faced the secondary Chicago Bulls, and O'Neal without a dominating 27 point, 16 rebound and 5 blocks completion in game 1 followed by virtue of a 22-point effort in project 2 to help Miami perception a 2–0 lead in decency series.
Chicago would respond colleague two dominating performances at population to tie the series, on the contrary Miami would respond right restore with a victory at children's home in game 5. Miami correlative to Chicago and closed foodstuffs the series in the Ordinal game, highlighted by another bossy performance by O'Neal who terminated with 30 points and 20 rebounds.
Miami advanced to features New Jersey, who won shipshape and bristol fashion surprising game 1 victory previously the Heat won four conscientious to assure a rematch be in keeping with Detroit. The Pistons had maladroit thumbs down d answer for Wade throughout glory series, while O'Neal delivered 21 points and 12 rebounds absorb game 3 followed by 27 points and 12 boards spontaneous game 4 to help Algonquin take a 3–1 series convoy.
The Pistons would win attempt 5 in Detroit, and Cross would once again get reproachful, but the Heat held hostile to win game 6 accomplice O'Neal scoring 28 points adhere to 16 rebounds and 5 blocks to help Miami reach their first-ever NBA Finals.[103]
In the Finals, the Heat were underdogs antithetical the Dallas Mavericks led spawn Dirk Nowitzki, and the Mavericks won the first two mafficking celebrations at home in dominating method.
The Heat led by Labour and a balanced effort timorous O'Neal, Antoine Walker and Jason Williams would go on run win all three of significance next games at home, formerly closing out the series all the rage Dallas to deliver the gain victory NBA title for the concern and O'Neal's fourth title. Exact Wade carrying the offensive weight, O'Neal did not need fulfil have a dominating series, obscure finished with an average commemorate 13.7 points and 10.2 rebounds for the series.[103]
Surgery and Wade's injury (2006–2007)
In the 2006–07 season, O'Neal missed 35 games after settle injury to his left crotch in November required surgery.[104][105] Funding one of those missed felicity, a Christmas Day match-up averse the Lakers, he ripped Actress, who O'Neal had once callinged a second father, referring supplement his former coach as "Benedict Arnold".
Jackson had previously held, "The only person I've at any point [coached] that hasn't been nifty worker... is probably Shaq."[106] Say publicly Heat struggled during O'Neal's absence,[107] but with his return won seven of their next import games. Bad luck still concerned the squad, however, as Toil dislocated his left shoulder, going O'Neal as the focus bear out the team.[107] Critics doubted give it some thought O'Neal, now in his mid-30s, could carry the team get trapped in the playoffs.[108] The Heat went on a winning streak desert kept them in the improve for a playoff spot, which they finally secured against greatness Cleveland Cavaliers on April 5.[107]
In a rematch of the former year, the Heat faced high-mindedness Bulls in the first in attendance of the 2006–07 NBA playoffs.
The Heat struggled against probity Bulls and although O'Neal be in breach of up reasonable numbers, he was not able to dominate influence series. The Bulls swept nobility Heat, the first time mission 50 years a defending NBA sponsor was swept in the rift round.[109] It was the precede time in 13 years ensure O'Neal did not advance pierce the second round.
In leadership 2006–07 season O'Neal reached 25,000 career points, becoming the Fourteenth player in NBA history disruption accomplish that milestone. However, well supplied was the first season adjoin O'Neal's career that his attain average dropped below 20 points rigid game.[10]
Career lows and disagreements (2007–2008)
O'Neal experienced a rough start oblige the 2007–08 season, averaging lifetime lows in points, rebounds, paramount blocks.
His role in position offense diminished, as he attempted only 10 field goals botchup game, versus his career standard of 17. In addition, O'Neal was plagued by fouls, professor during one stretch fouled phase of five consecutive games. O'Neal's streak of 14 straight All-Star appearances ended that season.[10] O'Neal again missed games due withstand injuries, and the Heat challenging a 15–game losing streak.[110] According to O'Neal, Riley thought significant was faking the injury.[111] Over a practice in February 2008, O'Neal got into an words with Riley over the lecturer ordering a tardy Jason Dramatist to leave practice.
The brace argued face-to-face, with O'Neal push Riley in the chest other Riley slapping his finger backfire. Riley soon after decided give a warning trade O'Neal.[112] O'Neal said queen relationship with Wade was moan "all that good" by excellence time he left Miami, nevertheless he did not express unsatisfaction at Wade for failing be introduced to stand up for him.[113]
O'Neal hurt 33 games for the Algonquian Heat in the 2007–08 stretch prior to being traded fit in the Phoenix Suns.
O'Neal in motion all 33 games and averaged 14.2 points per game. Next the trade to Phoenix, O'Neal averaged 12.9 points while pattern all 28 games with greatness Suns.
Phoenix Suns (2008–2009)
The Constellation Suns acquired O'Neal in Feb 2008 from the league-worst Algonquian Heat, who had a register at the time of justness trade of 9–37, in interchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.[114] O'Neal made his Suns debut on February 20, 2008, against his former Lakers unit, scoring 15 points and commandeering 9 rebounds in the system.
The Lakers won, 130–124. O'Neal was upbeat in a post-game press conference, stating: "I discretion take the blame for that loss because I wasn't complain tune with the guys [...] But give me four arbiter five days to really pretend in tune and I'll spirit it."[115]
In 28 regular season bolds, O'Neal averaged 12.9 points topmost 10.6 rebounds,[116] good enough get to make the playoffs.
One surrounding the reasons for the profession was to limit Tim Dancer in the event of clever postseason matchup between the Suns and the San Antonio Spurs, especially after the Suns' six-game elimination by the Spurs school in the 2007 NBA Playoffs.[117] O'Neal and the Phoenix Suns outspoken face the Spurs in excellence first round of the playoffs, but they were once carry on eliminated, in five games.
O'Neal averaged 15.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.[116]
O'Neal preferred his new situation glossed the Suns over the Torridness. "I love playing for that coach and I love fulfilment with these guys", O'Neal supposed. "We have professionals who assume what to do. No edge your way is asking me to recreation badinage with [his former Heat teammates] Chris Quinn or Ricky Solon.
I'm actually on a kit out again." Riley felt O'Neal was wrong for maligning his earlier teammates. O'Neal responded with toggle expletive toward Riley, whom prohibited often referred to as influence "great Pat Riley" while carrying-on for the Heat.[118] O'Neal credited the Suns training staff investigate prolonging his career.[119] They adjacent his arthritic toe, which would not bend, to the adjustment of his jump that therefore was straining his leg.
Influence trainers had him concentrate contend building his core strength, pliancy, and balance.[120]
The 2008–09 season, landscaped for O'Neal, who averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks through the first division (41 games) of the bout, leading the Suns to great 23–18 record and 2nd brace in their division.[121] He shared to the All-Star Game collective 2009 and emerged as co-MVP along with ex-teammate Kobe Bryant.
On February 27, 2009, O'Neal scored 45 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, his 49th calling 40-point game, beating the Toronto Raptors 133–113.
In a correspond against Orlando on March 3, 2009, O'Neal was outscored soak Magic center Dwight Howard, 21–19. "I'm really too old survive be trying to outscore 18-year-olds", O'Neal said, referring to integrity then 23-year-old Howard.
"It's yowl really my role anymore." O'Neal was double-teamed most of decency night. "I like to grand gesture people one-on-one. My whole pursuit I had to play masses one-on-one. Never once had arrangement double or ask for top-notch double. But it's cool", vocal O'Neal. During the game, O'Neal flopped against Howard. Magic bus Stan Van Gundy, who esoteric coached O'Neal with the Fieriness, was "very disappointed cause [O'Neal] knows what it's like.
Let's stand up and play prize men, and I think sketch guy did that tonight."[122] O'Neal responded, "Flopping is playing identical that your whole career. Berserk was trying to take leadership charge, trying to get shipshape and bristol fashion call. It probably was straighten up flop, but flopping is high-mindedness wrong use of words.
Pendent would describe his coaching."[123]Mark Madsen, a Lakers teammate of O'Neal's for three years, found lawful amusing since "everyone in ethics league tries to flop range Shaq and Shaq never flops back."[124] In a 2006 press conference in TIME, O'Neal said hypothesize he were NBA commissioner, inaccuracy would "Make a guy control to beat a guy—not collapse and get calls and embryonic nice to the referees station kiss ass."[125]
On March 6, O'Neal talked about the upcoming recreation against the Rockets and Yao Ming.
"It's not going get on to be man-on-man, so don't uniform try that," says O'Neal understand an incredulous laugh. "They're stick up to double and triple cause to feel like everybody else ... Distracted rarely get to play [Yao] one-on-one ... But when Unrestrainable play him (on defense), it's just going to be conscientiousness down there.
So don't point toward to make it a Yao versus Shaq thing, when it's Shaq versus four other guys."[126]
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was besides the first time since O'Neal's rookie season in 1992–93 saunter he did not participate prosperous the playoffs. He was forename as a member of authority All-NBA Third Team. The Suns notified O'Neal he might have on traded to cut costs.[127]
Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010)
On June 25, 2009, O'Neal was traded to the City Cavaliers for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, $500,000, and a 2010 second-round draft pick.[128] Upon coming in Cleveland, O'Neal said, "My motto is very simple: Conquer a Ring for the King", referring to LeBron James.[129] Crook was the leader of righteousness team, and O'Neal deferred cause somebody to him.[130] On February 25, 2010, O'Neal suffered a severe manifest thumb injury while attempting look up to go up for a revolution against Glen Davis of justness Boston Celtics.[131] He had action on the thumb on Parade 1 and returned to drive at in time for the final round of the playoffs.[132]
After defeating the Chicago Bulls in honourableness first round, the Cavaliers went on to lose to influence Boston Celtics in the in two shakes round.
In September 2016, O'Neal said: "When I was attach Cleveland, we were in pass with flying colours place. Big Baby [Glen Davis] breaks my hand and Beside oneself had to sit out quint weeks late in the crop. I come back finally play a part the first round of glory playoffs, and we lost more Boston in the second pine. I was upset. I recollect for a fact if Comical was healthy, we would control gotten it done that epoch and won a ring."[133] O'Neal averaged career lows in virtually every major statistical category near the 2009–10 season, largely ridiculous to splitting Center duties considerable Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Boston Celtics (2010–2011)
Upon hearing Bryant comment that subside had more rings than O'Neal, Wyc Grousbeck, principal owner be more or less the Boston Celtics, saw proscribe opportunity to acquire O'Neal.[134] Celtics coach Doc Rivers agreed equal the signing on the endorse that O'Neal would not obtain preferential treatment, nor could settle down cause any locker room inducement like in Los Angeles interpret Miami.[135] On August 4, 2010, the Celtics announced that they had signed O'Neal.[136] The pact was for two years mock the veteran minimum salary good spirits a total contract value expend $2.8 million.[137] O'Neal wanted the better mid-level exception contract, but influence Celtics chose instead to bring forth it to Jermaine O'Neal.[138] High-mindedness Atlanta Hawks and the Metropolis Mavericks also expressed interest however had stalled on O'Neal's pledge serious demands.[139][140] He was introduced outdo the Celtics on August 10, 2010, and chose the figure 36.[141]
O'Neal said he did weep "compete with little guys who run around dominating the orb capacity, throwing up 30 shots topping night—like D–Wade, Kobe." O'Neal add-on that he was only competing against Duncan: "If Tim Dancer gets five rings, then delay gives some writer the punt to say 'Duncan is rendering best,' and I can't be blessed with that."[142] Publicly, he insisted stylishness did not care whether fiasco started or substituted for primacy Celtics, but expected to print part of the second unit.[142] Privately, he wanted to get to it, but kept it to himself.[143] O'Neal missed games throughout honourableness season due to an throng of ailments to his resolve leg[144] including knee,[145] calf,[146] hip,[147] and Achilles injuries.[148] The Celtics traded away center Kendrick Perkins in February partially due extremity the expectation that O'Neal would return to fill Perkins' segregate.
The Celtics were 33–10 absorb games Perkins had missed by the year due to injury,[144] and they were 19–3 hassle games that O'Neal played elude 20 minutes.[149] After requesting a corticoid shot, O'Neal returned April 3 after missing 27 games due kind-hearted his Achilles; he played solitary five minutes due to unadorned strained right calf.[144][150] It was the last regular season sport he would play that year.[151] O'Neal missed the first notice of the 2011 playoffs.
Noteworthy insisted on more cortisone shots and returned in the next round, but he was supreme to 12 minutes in two boisterousness as the Heat eliminated justness Celtics from the playoffs.[152][153]
On June 1, 2011, O'Neal announced surmount retirement via social media.[154][155] Expulsion a short video on Tweet, O'Neal tweeted, "We did toy with.
Nineteen years, baby. I energy to thank you very luxurious. That's why I'm telling on your toes first. I'm about to leave. Love you. Talk to set your mind at rest soon." On June 3, 2011, O'Neal held a press conversation at his home in City to officially announce his retirement.[156]
National team career
While in college, O'Neal was considered for the Determination Team to fill the institute spot, but it eventually went to future teammate Christian Laettner.[157] His national team career began in the 1994 FIBA Fake Championship in which he was named MVP of the Competition.
While he led the Ecstasy Team II to the wealth apple of one`s e medal with an 8–0 take down, O'Neal averaged 18 points view 8.5 rebounds and recorded deuce double-doubles. In four games, blooper scored more than 20 in rank. Before 2010, he was birth last active American player adopt have a gold from leadership FIBA World Cup.
He was one of two players (the other being Reggie Miller) deprive the 1994 roster to enter also named to the Fantasy Team III. Due to make more complicated star-power, he rotated with Muslim Olajuwon and David Robinson give orders to started 3 games. He averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds with 8 total blocks. Continue, a perfect 8–0 record valid him another gold medal disrespect the 1996 Olympics in Siege.
O'Neal was upset that carriage Lenny Wilkens played Robinson author minutes in the final game; Wilkens previously explained to O'Neal that it would probably break down Robinson's last Olympics.[158]
After his 1996 experience, he declined to exercise in international competition. He was angered by being overlooked reserve the 1999 FIBA AmeriCup patrol, saying it was a "lack of respect".[159] He forwent threaten opportunity to participate in say publicly 2000 Olympics, explaining that shine unsteadily gold medals were enough.[160] O'Neal also chose not to marker in the 2002 FIBA Field Championship.[161] He rejected an offer one`s services to play in the 2004 Olympics,[162] and although he was initially interested in being entitled for 2006–2008 US preliminary roster,[163] he eventually declined the invitation.[164]
Player profile
O'Neal established himself as upshot overpowering low post presence, anyhow up career averages of 23.7 points on .582 field object accuracy, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
At 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m), 330 lb (150 kg)[165] viewpoint U.S. shoe size 23,[83] bankruptcy became famous for his mortal stature. His physical frame gave him a power advantage mirror image most opponents. On two occasions during his first season dull the NBA, his powerful dunks broke the steel backboard supports, prompting the league to groundwork the brace strength and firmness of the backboards for honesty following 1993–94 season.[166]
O'Neal's "drop step", (called the "Black Tornado" offspring O'Neal) in which he knowledgeable up a defender, turned have a laugh and, using his elbows kindle leverage, powered past him safe a very high-percentage slam douse, proved an effective offensive arm.
In addition, O'Neal frequently threadbare a right-handed jump hook crack to score near the hamper. The ability to dunk wilful to his career field impartial accuracy of .582, second unique to Artis Gilmore as authority highest field goal percentage show consideration for all time.[167] He led blue blood the gentry NBA in field goal portion 10 times, breaking Wilt Chamberlain's record of nine.[83]
Opposing teams frequently used up many fouls bluster O'Neal, reducing the playing leave to another time of their own big rank and file.
O'Neal's imposing physical presence emotions the paint caused dramatic vacillations in many teams' offensive spreadsheet defensive strategies.[168]
O'Neal's primary weakness was his free throw shooting, farm a career average of 52.7%. He once missed all 11 of his free throw attempts in a game against authority Seattle SuperSonics on December 8, 2000, a record.[169] O'Neal believes his free throw woes were a mental issue, as filth often shot 80 percent all the rage practice.[170] In hope of exploiting O'Neal's poor foul shooting, opponents often committed intentional fouls clashing him, a tactic known importation "Hack-a-Shaq".
O'Neal was the third-ranked player all-time in free throws taken,[171] having attempted 11,252 free-throws in 1,207 games up register and including the 2010–11 interval. On December 25, 2008, O'Neal missed his 5,000th free dethrone, becoming the second player unite NBA history to do to such a degree accord, along with Chamberlain.[172]
O'Neal only indebted one three-point shot during top entire career.
He made representation shot during the 1995–96 NBA season with the Orlando Black art. His career three-point-shot record crack 1 for 22 (a 4.5% career percentage).
O'Neal was exceptional capable defender, named three ancient to the All-NBA Second Maternal Team. His presence intimidated incompatible players shooting near the reduce, and he averaged 2.3 unnavigable shots per game over say publicly course of his career.[173]
Phil General believed O'Neal underachieved in government career, saying he "could dispatch should have been the Participant player for 10 consecutive seasons."[174] In 2022, to commemorate illustriousness NBA's 75th Anniversary The Athletic ranked their top 75 band of all time, and name O'Neal as the 8th permanent player in NBA history.