[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 http://www.tout.com/m/9944wo#ShaqRetires

Bye Shaq!

[rvan14Participant]

 May not of had the numbers and titles as Wilt and Kareem, but Shaq was an unstoppable force. Good to hear the Lakers are honoring him by retiring his number.

[aamir543Participant]

I want to see what Kobe has to say about this. Right now, hes probably injecting himself with steroids. Anyways, amazing career by the big fella. When I was 6 years old, he was the reason I started watching basketball. We cartainly have not seen the last of him. I want to see him as a coach in this league, that would be intruiging. One of the worst conditioned player and among the worst free throwers coaching a team. I wish him the best of luck. (A couple years ago he mentioned that when he retires, he may have to work an 8am-5pm day job. I know he has tons of money, but wouldn’t it be cool to see him in cubicle.)

[nath09Participant]

More than anything I’m gonna miss his character. The last of the big charectors of the NBA. His personality was the last of its kind. To me its a genuine end of an era. I hope some of these young guns can come and capture the imagination of the public like Mj, Magic, Sir Charles and Shaq have done before them.

[RafterParticipant]

He was one of the league’s most unstoppable forces ever, and with a great charismatic personality. I’m going to miss him but i won’t forget what he has done.

Also, guys like Duncan, Kobe, Garnett, Allen, Pierce and Nash will be gone. A new era has arrived.

[JimmeredYaWabafetParticipant]

 The Bismackin Era!!!

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Hilarious. I will miss the Big Fella, he was my favorite player and I rooted for countless numbers of his teams to win championships, being incredibly happy 4 times. The Heat 2006 were a team I was heavily emotionally invested in, and were the last team I was truly incredibly happy won a championship (and I will be close too if not just as happy if they win this year).

My top Centers rank as this:

1. Shaquille O’Neal

2. Bill Russell

3. Wilt Chamberlain

4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

5. Hakeem Olajuwon

6. Moses Malone

7. George Mikan

8. Willis Reed

9. David Robinson

10. Patrick Ewing

 

Dwight Howard seems like he will join eventually, but I do not think he will ever reach the level of the top 5 players. Simply put, Dwight’s offense is not even close to being on par with these players. His defense is fantastic, but all of the top 5 had big defensive impact as well. As much as Shaq was not known for his defense, he was an incredibly dominating opposing force on that end and had to be accounted for. For years Shaq crushed his match-ups at a time where there were actually Centers who you would want on an All-Star team. Hakeem was fantastic in his Finals meeting with Shaq, but Shaq still got his. He also was a total force in the 2004 meeting with the Pistons as well and was the only Laker I would say had a good series. Bill and Kareem have more rings, Wilt had more points and boards, but I just think Shaq was the most dominant Center ever to play in the NBA. He played at a different time than those players, and I think his combination of size and power is unparralleled. Doubt we will ever see another one like him, and at this point I do not think Dwight Howard has even come close. Have to take more than 13.4 shots per game to be on the level of the best.

[omphalosParticipant]

I’d like to see Shaq do the Olajuwon thing and tutor young Cs, pass on his knowledge. Maybe teach Dwight how to really be Superman. I could see him signing with a team as a big man developer also ala Ewing I suppose.

[MuggsyParticipant]

My favorite player of all time. Wish him well and hope to see him soon.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

But, I think we will see him as an analyst for sure. I do not see Shaq as a coach, think he loves basketball, but also loves the spotlight and will probably not be tied down to a coaching job. Maybe he will train players in the off-season, but I think he will be in some studio show of some sort fairly soon. Honestly, ESPN/ABC could use some new life BADLY. I like TNT’s current chemistry, but I think ESPN/ABC could really use some new blood and the Shaqtus might be a fantastic option. Michael Wilbon needs to get the hell off of there and stick to PTI, and I could care less what they do to Jon Barry. Magic is a legend, but as a TV analyst, sorry to say, not great.

[Jlv2011]

Barkley and Shaq.  Now that would be must see TV.

[JoeWolf1]

 I know Shaq has been pursuing a P.H.D. in Human Resource Development over the past few years. I think Shaq’s aspirations after basketball far exceed working his way up through the coaching ranks.

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