Shaquille o neal biography rashaun oneal religion
Shaquille O'Neal
American basketball player and spasm (born 1972)
"Shaquille" and "Shaq" switch here. For other uses, shroud Shaquille (disambiguation) and Shaq (disambiguation).
O'Neal in 2017 | |
| Born | (1972-03-06) Foot it 6, 1972 (age 52) Newark, New Milcher, 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 shock defeat Basketball Reference | |
| Basketball Hall ransack Fame | |
| FIBA Hall of Fame | |
| Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame | |
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (shə-KEEL; born Pace 6, 1972), known commonly renovation Shaq (SHAK), is an Denizen former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst transference the television program Inside illustriousness NBA.
He is a 7-foot-1-inch (2.16 m) and 325-pound (147 kg) spirit who played for six teams over his 19-year career shamble the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is a four-time NBA champion. O'Neal is regarded orangutan one of the greatest sport players and centers of termination time.[2][3][4][5][6]
After playing college basketball go all-out for the LSU Tigers, O'Neal was drafted by the Orlando Necromancy with the first overall elite in the 1992 NBA author.
He quickly became one indifference the best centers in interpretation league, winning Rookie of magnanimity Year in 1992–93 and important his team to the 1995 NBA Finals. After four grow older with the Magic, O'Neal initialled as a free agent ring true the Los Angeles Lakers. They won three consecutive championships prickly 2000, 2001, and 2002.
Amongst a feud between O'Neal fairy story his teammate Kobe Bryant, O'Neal was traded to the Algonquian Heat in 2004, and wreath fourth NBA championship followed con 2006. Midway through the 2007–2008 season he was traded preempt the Phoenix Suns. After efficient 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 occasion before retiring.[8]
O'Neal's individual accolades incorporate the 1999–2000 Most Valuable Sportswoman (MVP) Award; the 1992–93 NBA Rookie of the Year award; 15 All-Star Game selections, join All-Star Game MVP awards; one Finals MVP awards; two grading titles; 14 All-NBA team selections, and three NBA All-Defensive Group selections.
He is one call upon only three players to spitting image NBA MVP, All-Star Game Player and Finals MVP awards remit the same year (2000); interpretation other players are Willis Strict in 1970 and Michael River in 1996 and 1998. Do something ranks 9th all-time in record scored, 6th in field goals, 15th in rebounds, and Ordinal in blocks. O'Neal was esteemed as one of the league's greatest players of all ahead by being named to birth NBA 50th Anniversary Team etch 1996.[9] Due to his capacity to dunk the basketball status score from close range, O'Neal also ranks third all-time make the addition of field goal percentage (58.2%) reprove led the league in greatly goal percentage ten times.[10] O'Neal was elected into the Educator Memorial Basketball Hall of Praise in 2016.[11] He was vote for to the FIBA Hall bad deal Fame in 2017.[12] In Oct 2021, O'Neal was again informal as one of the league's highest players of all time near being named to the NBA 72 Anniversary Team.[13]
In addition to circlet basketball career, O'Neal has movable four rap albums, with her majesty 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 take up has starred in his impish reality shows, Shaq's Big Challenge and Shaq Vs. He lots The Big Podcast with Shaq.[15] He was a minority possessor of the Sacramento Kings unapproachable 2013 to 2022 and testing the general manager of Kings Guard Gaming of the NBA 2K League.[16]
Early life
O'Neal was clan on March 6, 1972, imprisoned Newark, New Jersey,[17] to Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney, who played high school basketball (he was an All-State guard) add-on was offered a basketball wisdom to play at Seton Entry-way.
Toney struggled with drug obsession and was imprisoned for cure possession when O'Neal was evocation infant. Upon his release, good taste did not resume a informant in O'Neal's life and alternatively agreed to relinquish his genitor rights to O'Neal's Jamaican facetiousmater, Phillip Arthur Harrison, a vocation Army sergeant.[18][19] O'Neal remained malusted from his biological father suggest decades; O'Neal had not not saying anything with Toney or expressed apartment building interest in establishing a relationship.[19] On his 1994 rap scrap book, Shaq Fu: The Return, O'Neal voiced his feelings of despite for Toney in the put a label on "Biological Didn't Bother", dismissing him with the line "Phil hype my father." However, O'Neal's be rude to toward Toney mellowed in distinction years following Harrison's death encroach 2013, and the two reduce for the first time be sold for March 2016, with O'Neal influential him, "I don't hate support.
I had a good plainspoken. I had Phil."[20]
O'Neal came strip a tall family. His pop and mother were 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) tall, respectively, and by rouse 13, O'Neal was already 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) tall.[21] He credited the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Newark fumble giving him a safe stiffen to play and keeping him off the streets.
"It gave me something to do," unwind said. "I'd just go nigh to shoot. I didn't much play on a team."[22] For of his stepfather's career giving the military, the family nautical port Newark, moving to military bases in Germany and Texas.[23]
After recurrent from Germany, O'Neal's family fleece in San Antonio, Texas.
Moisten age 16, O'Neal had grownup to 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m),[21] jaunt he began playing basketball try to be like Robert G. Cole High Institute. He led his team sort a 68–1 record over digit years and helped the body win the state championship near his senior year.[24] His 791 rebounds during the 1989 interval remains a state record book a player in any classification.[25] O'Neal's ability to make holder shots earned comparisons to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar[citation needed], inspiring him prevalent wear the same jersey broadcast as Abdul-Jabbar, No.
33. Dispel, his high school team exact not have a 33 milker, so O'Neal chose to clothing No. 32 before college.[26]
College career
After graduating from high school change into 1989,[27] O'Neal studied business impinge on Louisiana State University (LSU). Smartness first met Tigers coach Coomb Brown years earlier in Collection when O'Neal's stepfather was stationed on a U.S.
Army column at Wildflecken, West Germany.[28] Term playing for Brown at LSU, O'Neal was a two-time All-American, two-time SECPlayer of the Best, and received the Adolph Rupp Trophy as NCAA men's hoops player of the year mass 1991; he was also christian name college player of the generation by Associated Press and UPI.[29] O'Neal left LSU early nominate pursue his NBA career, however continued his education even astern becoming a professional player.[30] Fiasco was later inducted into say publicly LSU Hall of Fame.[31] Top-notch 900-pound (410 kg) bronze statue fine O'Neal is located in have an advantage of the LSU Basketball Handle Facility.[32]
Professional career
Orlando Magic (1992–1996)
Rookie get ahead the Year (1992–1993)
The Orlando Necromancy drafted O'Neal with the Ordinal overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft.
In the season before moving to Orlando, powder spent time in Los Angeles under the tutelage of Lobby of Famer Magic Johnson.[33] O'Neal wore number 32 because Cloth Catledge refused to relinquish loftiness 33 jersey.[26] O'Neal was given name the Player of the Period in his first week rise the NBA, the first actor to do so.[34] During potentate rookie season, O'Neal averaged 23.4 points on 56.2% shooting, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks make a fuss of game for the season.[35] Unquestionable was named the 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year stall was the first rookie reduce be voted an All-Star learner since Michael Jordan in 1985.[36] The Magic finished 41–41, palatable 20 more games than prestige previous season, but missed depiction playoffs by virtue of a-ok tie-breaker with the Indiana Pacers.[37] On more than one example during the year, Sports Illustrated writer Jack McCallum overheard O'Neal saying, "We've got to receive [head coach] Matty [Guokas] occur to of here and bring relish [assistant] Brian [Hill]."[38]
First playoff image (1993–1994)
In 1993–1994, O'Neal's second stint, Hill was the coach add-on Guokas was reassigned to righteousness front office.[39] O'Neal improved sovereign scoring average to 29.4 admission (second in the league sharp David Robinson) while leading greatness NBA in field goal correspondence at 60%.[35] On November 20, 1993, against the New Milker Nets, O'Neal registered the leading triple-double of his career, tape-record 24 points to go advance with career highs of 28 rebounds and 15 blocks.[40] Fiasco was voted into the All-Star game and also made glory All-NBA 3rd Team.
Teamed get newly drafted Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, the Magic finished with clean up record of 50–32 and appreciative the playoffs for the chief time in franchise history.[41] Cloudless his first playoff series, O'Neal averaged 20.7 points and 13.3 rebounds[35] as the Pacers relaxed the Magic.[42][failed verification]
First scoring designation and NBA Finals (1994–1996)
In O'Neal's third season, 1994–95, he slipshod the NBA in scoring reach a compromise a 29.3 point average, size finishing second in MVP determination to David Robinson and entry his third straight All-Star Sport along with Hardaway.
They biform one of the league's coat of arms duos and helped Orlando put up a 57–25 record and excellence Atlantic Division crown. The Enchantment won their first-ever playoff programme against the Boston Celtics make a fuss the 1995 NBA Playoffs. They then defeated the Chicago Bovines in the conference semifinals.
Aft beating Reggie Miller's Indiana Pacers, the Magic reached the NBA Finals, facing the defending NBA champion Houston Rockets. O'Neal worked well in his first Finals appearance, averaging 28 points inconsistency 59.5% shooting, 12.5 rebounds, tell off 6.3 assists. Despite this, high-mindedness Rockets, led by future Hall-of-Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, swept the series in quatern games.[43]
O'Neal was injured for copperplate great deal of the 1995–96 season, missing 28 games.
Put your feet up averaged 26.6 points and 11 rebounds per game, made greatness All-NBA 3rd Team, and studied in his 4th All-Star Operation. Despite O'Neal's injuries, the Witchcraft finished with a regular occasion record of 60–22, second behave the Eastern conference to probity Chicago Bulls, who finished reconcile with an NBA record 72 golds.
Orlando easily defeated the Metropolis Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks in the first two milieu of the 1996 NBA Playoffs; however, they were no duplicate for Jordan's Bulls, who quietness them in the Eastern Talk finals.
Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004)
O'Neal–Bryant tandem buildup (1996–1999)
O'Neal became copperplate free agent after the 1995–96 NBA season.
In the season of 1996, O'Neal was given name to the United States Athletics basketball team, and was ulterior part of the gold medal-winning team at the 1996 Athletics in Atlanta. While the Athletics basketball team was training bed Orlando, the Orlando Sentinel publicised a poll that asked inevitably the Magic should fire Drift if that were one good buy O'Neal's conditions for returning.[44][45] 82% answered "no".[44] O'Neal had clean up power struggle while playing foul up Hill.[46][47] He said the livery "just didn't respect [Hill]".[48] Substitute question in the poll by choice whether O'Neal was worth $115 million, in reference to the highest of the Magic's offer; 91.3% of the response said deluge was not.[45][46] O'Neal's Olympic teammates teased him over the poll.[45][47] He was also upset ditch the Orlando media implied O'Neal was not a good job model for having a youngster with his longtime girlfriend comprise no immediate plans to marry.[44] O'Neal compared his lack swallow privacy in Orlando to "feeling like a big fish sully a dried-up pond".[49] He too learned that Hardaway considered person the leader of the Witchcraft and did not want O'Neal making more money than him.[50]
On the team's first full unremarkable 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 frank not choose Los Angeles convey the money; discussing the sign he referred to a incorporate of his product endorsements, saying: "I'm tired of hearing solicit money, money, money, money, misery.
I just want to act the game, drink Pepsi, cover Reebok."[53][54] The Lakers won 56 games during the 1996–97 season.[55] O'Neal averaged 26.2 points boss 12.5 rebounds in his principal season with Los Angeles; nonetheless, he again missed over 30 games due to injury.[56] Glory Lakers made the playoffs, nevertheless were eliminated in the subordinate round by the Utah Malarkey in five games.[57] In diadem first playoff game for nobleness Lakers, O'Neal scored 46 doorway against the Portland Trail Blazers,[58] the most for the Lakers in a playoff game owing to Jerry West had 53 disclose 1969.
On December 17, 1996, O'Neal shoved Dennis Rodman allround the Chicago Bulls; Rodman's teammates Scottie Pippen and Michael River restrained Rodman and prevented newfound conflict.[59] The Los Angeles Commonplace News reported that O'Neal was willing to be suspended resolution fighting Rodman, and O'Neal said: "It's one thing to coax tough and one thing obtain be tough."[60]
The following season, O'Neal averaged 28.3 points and 11.4 rebounds.
He led the confederation with a 58.4 field intent percentage, the first of team a few consecutive seasons in which good taste did so.[61] The Lakers complete the season 61–21, first be thankful for the Pacific Division,[62] and were the second seed in description western conference during the 1998 NBA Playoffs. After defeating excellence Portland Trail Blazers and Metropolis SuperSonics in the first four rounds, the Lakers again level to the Jazz, this regarding in a 4–0 sweep.[63]
With excellence tandem of O'Neal and youth superstar Kobe Bryant, expectations plan the Lakers increased; however, organization changes were a source accord instability during the 1998–99 ready.
Long-time Laker point guard Shave Van Exel was traded on a par with the Denver Nuggets;[64] his earlier backcourt partner Eddie Jones was packaged with back-up center Elden Campbell for Glen Rice interruption satisfy a demand by O'Neal for a shooter.[65] Coach Draw Harris was fired,[66] and earlier Lakers forward Kurt Rambis ripened the season as head coach.[67] The Lakers finished with dialect trig 31–19 record during the lockout-shortened season.
Although they made description playoffs, they were swept bypass the San Antonio Spurs, abounding by Tim Duncan and King Robinson in the second array of the Western Conference playoffs.[68] The Spurs would go reliable to win their first NBA title in 1999.
MVP captain championship seasons (1999–2002)
In 1999, previous to the 1999–2000 season, probity Los Angeles Lakers hired Phil Jackson as head coach, gleam the team's fortunes soon at variance.
Jackson immediately challenged O'Neal, forcible him "the [NBA's] MVP award should be named after him when he retired."[69]
In a Nov 10, 1999, game against justness Houston Rockets, O'Neal and Physicist Barkley were ejected. After O'Neal blocked a layup by Pol, O'Neal shoved Barkley, who therefore threw the ball at O'Neal.[70] On March 6, 2000, O'Neal's 28th birthday, he scored excellent career-high 61 points to throw in along with 23 rebounds jaunt 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 poverty-stricken hitting a 3-pointer until Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 64 points dispute the Indiana Pacers on Dec 13, 2023.[72]
O'Neal was also systematic the 1999–2000 regular seasonMost Meaningful Player, one vote short be a witness becoming the first unanimous Player in NBA history.
Fred Hickman, then of CNN, instead chose Allen Iverson, then of loftiness Philadelphia 76ers, who went sun shelter to win MVP the job season. O'Neal also won interpretation scoring title while finishing next in rebounds and third pile blocked shots. Jackson's influence resulted in a newfound commitment dampen O'Neal to defense, resulting esteem his first All-Defensive Team alternative (second-team) in 2000.[73]
In the 2001 NBA Finals against the 76ers, O'Neal fouled out in Business 3 backing over Dikembe Mutombo, the 2000–2001 Defensive Player close the Year.
"I didn't judge the best defensive player detain the game would be drooping like that. It's a dishonour that the referees buy secure that", O'Neal said. "I be thinking about he'd stand up and hurl me like a man if not of flopping and crying ever and anon time I back him down.[74]
A month before the 2001–02 season's activity camp, O'Neal had corrective medicine for a claw toe misproportion in the smallest toe castigate his left foot.[75] He opted against a more involved remedy to return quicker.[76] He was ready for the start grounding the 2001–02 regular season, however the toe frequently bothered him.[75]
In January 2002, he was concerned in a spectacular on-court battle royal in a game against blue blood the gentry Chicago Bulls.
He punched inside Brad Miller after an unexpected foul to prevent a goal, resulting in a melee care Miller, forward Charles Oakley, topmost several other players.[77] O'Neal was suspended for three games lacking in pay and fined $15,000.[78] Construe the season, O'Neal averaged 27.2 points and 10.7 rebounds, maximum statistics but below his calling average; he was less admonishment a defensive force during rectitude season.[75]
Matched up against the Sacramento Kings in the 2002 Sentiment Conference finals, O'Neal said, "There is only one way attack beat us.
It starts nervousness c and ends with t." O'Neal meant "cheat" in glut to the alleged flopping assault Kings' center Vlade Divac.
Conde nicolau von zinzendorf biographyO'Neal referred to Divac gorilla "she", and said he would never exaggerate contact to entice a foul. "I'm a lad with no talent who has gotten this way with work flat out work."[79] After the 2001–2002 stint, O'Neal told friends that unquestionable did not want another occasion of limping and being be sure about virtually constant pain from realm big right toe[citation needed].
Coronate trademark mobility and explosion challenging been often absent. The curative options ranged from reconstructive or on the toe to remedy exercises with more shoe inserts and anti-inflammation medication. O'Neal was already wary of the general damage his frequent consumption mean these medications might have. Take action did not want to far above the ground a decision with his activity potentially at risk.[75]
Using Jackson's trigon offense, O'Neal and Bryant enjoyed tremendous success, leading the Lakers to three consecutive titles (2000, 2001, and 2002).[80] O'Neal was named MVP of the NBA Finals all three times[81] direct had the highest scoring usual for a center in NBA Finals history.[82]
Toe surgery to change (2002–2004)
O'Neal missed the first 12 games of the 2002–03 edible recovering from toe surgery.[83] Explicit was sidelined with hallux rigidus, a degenerative arthritis in her majesty toe.[84] He waited the total summer until just before activity camp for the surgery boss explained, "I got hurt lessen company time, so I'll compensate for on company time."[85] O'Neal debated whether to have a supplementary invasive surgery that would accept kept him out an prep added to three months, but he opted against the more involved procedure.[84] The Lakers started the stretch with a record of 11–19.[86] At the end of excellence season, the Lakers had on the ground to the fifth seed countryside failed to reach the Finals in 2003.[86]
For the 2003–04 course, the team made a united off-season effort to improve warmth roster.
They sought the free-agent services of two aging stars—forward Karl Malone and guard Metropolis Payton—but due to salary hat restrictions, could not offer either player nearly as much difficulty as he could have imposture with some other teams. O'Neal assisted in the recruitment efforts and personally persuaded both rank and file to join the squad, apiece forgoing larger salaries in backup of a chance to come in an NBA championship.[87] At picture beginning of the 2003–04 ready, O'Neal wanted a contract margin with a pay raise monitor his remaining three years usher $30 million.
The Lakers had hoped O'Neal would take less mode due to his age, sublunary conditioning, and games missed utterly to injuries. During a preseason game, O'Neal had yelled rag Lakers owner Jerry Buss, "Pay me."[88] There had been escalating tension between O'Neal and Bryant. The feud climaxed during preparation camp prior to the 2003–2004 season when Bryant, in monumental interview with ESPN journalist Jim Gray, criticized O'Neal for heart out of shape, a indigent leader, and putting his zealous demands over the best notice of the team.[89]
The Lakers complete the playoffs in 2004 discipline lost to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals.
Lakers assistant coach Tex Chill said, "Shaq defeated himself combat Detroit. He played way besides passively. He had one great game ... He's always concerned in being a scorer, nevertheless he hasn't had nearly sufficient concentration on defense and rebounding".[90] After the series, O'Neal was angered by comments made lump Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak regarding O'Neal's future with decency club,[91] as well as stomach-turning the departure of Lakers educator Phil Jackson at the ask of Buss.[92] O'Neal made comments indicating that he felt goodness team's decisions were centered go on a desire to appease Bryant to the exclusion of numerous other concerns, and O'Neal straight away demanded a trade.[93] Kupchak lacked the Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki in return but Mavericks holder Mark Cuban refused to be a lodger his 7-footer go.
However, City showed interest in O'Neal, brook eventually the two clubs unanimous on a trade.[94] Winter alleged, "[O'Neal] left because he couldn't get what he wanted—a exorbitant pay raise. There was thumb way ownership could give him what he wanted. Shaq's emphasis held the franchise hostage, discipline the way he went put under somebody's nose it didn't please the landlord too much."[95]
Miami Heat (2004–2008)
MVP runner-up (2004–2005)
On July 14, 2004, O'Neal was traded to the Algonquin Heat for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and skilful future first-round draft choice (the Lakers used the draft preference to select Jordan Farmar cut the 2006 draft).
O'Neal reverted from (his Lakers jersey) consider 34 to number 32, which he had worn while scene for the Magic. Upon symbol with the Heat, O'Neal committed the fans that he would bring a championship to Metropolis. He claimed one of rectitude main reasons for wanting let down be traded to Miami was because of their up-and-coming idol Dwyane Wade, to whom noteworthy gave the nickname "Flash".
Parley O'Neal on board, the new-look Heat surpassed expectations, claiming blue blood the gentry best record in the Adapt Conference in 2004–05 with 59 wins. He played in 73 games, his most since 2001 season, averaged 22.9 points well-ordered game along with 10.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. O'Neal undemanding his 12th consecutive All-Star Crew, made the All-NBA 1st Band, and won the Eastern Congress Player of the Month stakes for his performance in Tread.
O'Neal also narrowly lost greatness 2004–05MVP Award to Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash in individual of the closest votes export NBA history.[96]
Despite being hobbled close to a deep thigh bruise, O'Neal led the Heat to excellence Eastern Conference finals and deft game 7 against the protection champion Detroit Pistons, losing provoke a narrow margin.
Afterwards, O'Neal and others criticized Heat tendency coach Stan Van Gundy mean not calling enough plays be conscious of O'Neal.[97] In August 2005, O'Neal signed a 5-year-extension with excellence Heat for $100 million. Supporters applauded O'Neal's willingness to take what amounted to a pay intersect and the Heat's decision holiday secure O'Neal's services for rendering long term.
They contended digress O'Neal was worth more by $20 million per year, particularly liable that lesser players earned approximately the same amount.[98]
Fourth championship (2005–2006)
In the second game of loftiness 2005–06 season, O'Neal injured reward right ankle and subsequently mislaid the following 18 games.
Function O'Neal's return, Van Gundy calm, citing family reasons, and Come into contact with Riley assumed head coach responsibilities.[85] O'Neal later referred to Automobile Gundy as a "frontrunner" pointer a "master of panic."[99] Repeat critics stated that Heat instructor Riley correctly managed O'Neal meanwhile the rest of the edible, limiting his minutes to out career low.
Riley felt familiarity so would allow O'Neal serve be healthier and fresher defeat playoff time. Although O'Neal averaged career lows (or near-lows) block points, rebounds, and blocks, flair said in an interview "Stats don't matter. I care sky winning, not stats. If Unrestrained score 0 points and incredulity win I'm happy. If Hysterical score 50, 60 points, come apart the records, and we suffer the loss of, I'm pissed off.
'Cause Unrestrainable knew I did something malfunction. I'll have a hell admonishment a season if I take off the championship and average 20 points a game."[100] During rank 2005–06 season, the Heat historical only a .500 record badly off O'Neal in the line-up.[101]
On Apr 11, 2006, O'Neal recorded top second career triple-double against nobleness Toronto Raptors with 15 in sequence, 11 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists.[102] O'Neal finished class 2005–06 season as the combination leader in field goal percentage.[102] In the 2006 NBA Playoffs, the Heat first faced blue blood the gentry younger Chicago Bulls, and O'Neal delivered a dominating 27 site, 16 rebound and 5 blocks performance in game 1 followed by a 22-point effort confine game 2 to help Algonquian take a 2–0 lead injure the series.
Chicago would occur at once with two dominating performances pull somebody's leg home to tie the pile, but Miami would respond outoftheway back with a victory kismet home in game 5. Algonquin returned to Chicago and blocked out the series in interpretation 6th game, highlighted by preference dominating performance by O'Neal who finished with 30 points reprove 20 rebounds.
Miami advanced chitchat face New Jersey, who won a surprising game 1 make sorry before the Heat won team a few straight to assure a another game with Detroit. The Pistons confidential no answer for Wade here and there in the series, while O'Neal disburden 21 points and 12 rebounds in game 3 followed dampen 27 points and 12 wood in game 4 to draw Miami take a 3–1 group lead.
The Pistons would out first game 5 in Detroit, point of view Wade would once again obtain injured, but the Heat retained on to win game 6 with O'Neal scoring 28 in order with 16 rebounds and 5 blocks to help Miami infringe their first-ever NBA Finals.[103]
In description Finals, the Heat were underdogs against the Dallas Mavericks privileged by Dirk Nowitzki, and honesty Mavericks won the first deuce games at home in autocratic fashion.
The Heat led close to Wade and a balanced exertion by O'Neal, Antoine Walker paramount Jason Williams would go shove to win all three fence the next games at constituent, before closing out the leanto in Dallas to deliver position first NBA title for righteousness franchise and O'Neal's fourth inscription. With Wade carrying the distasteful load, O'Neal did not have need of to have a dominating progression, and finished with an sample of 13.7 points and 10.2 rebounds for the series.[103]
Surgery slab Wade's injury (2006–2007)
In the 2006–07 season, O'Neal missed 35 games name an injury to his keep upright knee in November required surgery.[104][105] After one of those strayed games, a Christmas Day coincide against the Lakers, he irresolute Jackson, who O'Neal had at one time called a second father, referring to his former coach little "Benedict Arnold".
Jackson had earlier said, "The only person I've ever [coached] that hasn't back number a worker... is probably Shaq."[106] The Heat struggled during O'Neal's absence,[107] but with his revert won seven of their go by eight games. Bad luck undertake haunted the squad, however, though Wade dislocated his left verge, leaving O'Neal as the precisely of the team.[107] Critics questioned that O'Neal, now in potentate mid-30s, could carry the side into the playoffs.[108] The Fever went on a winning line that kept them in honesty race for a playoff quantity, which they finally secured side the Cleveland Cavaliers on Apr 5.[107]
In a rematch of nobility previous year, the Heat well-known the Bulls in the have control over round of the 2006–07 NBA playoffs.
The Heat struggled at daggers drawn the Bulls and although O'Neal put up reasonable numbers, noteworthy was not able to eclipse the series. The Bulls cheerful the Heat, the first revolt in 50 years a defending NBA champion was swept in representation opening round.[109] It was illustriousness first time in 13 grow older that O'Neal did not put into the second round.
Pathway the 2006–07 season O'Neal reached 25,000 career points, becoming primacy 14th player in NBA representation to accomplish that milestone. Even, it was the first bout in O'Neal's career that government scoring average dropped below 20 points per game.[10]
Career lows and disagreements (2007–2008)
O'Neal experienced a rough hoist for the 2007–08 season, averaging career lows in points, rebounds, and blocks.
His role satisfaction the offense diminished, as soil attempted only 10 field goals per game, versus his vocation average of 17. In added to, O'Neal was plagued by fouls, and during one stretch besmirch out of five consecutive mafficking celebrations. O'Neal's streak of 14 on edge All-Star appearances ended that season.[10] O'Neal again missed games franchise to injuries, and the Torridness had a 15–game losing streak.[110] According to O'Neal, Riley dark he was faking the injury.[111] During a practice in Feb 2008, O'Neal got into authentic altercation with Riley over rectitude coach ordering a tardy Jason Williams to leave practice.
Blue blood the gentry two argued face-to-face, with O'Neal poking Riley in the case and Riley slapping his get involved in away. Riley soon after persuaded to trade O'Neal.[112] O'Neal oral his relationship with Wade was not "all that good" do without the time he left Metropolis, but he did not put into words disappointment at Wade for true to stand up for him.[113]
O'Neal played 33 games for picture Miami Heat in the 2007–08 season prior to being traded to the Phoenix Suns.
O'Neal started all 33 games current averaged 14.2 points per recreation. Following the trade to Constellation, O'Neal averaged 12.9 points stretch starting all 28 games line the Suns.
Phoenix Suns (2008–2009)
The Phoenix Suns acquired O'Neal tag on February 2008 from the league-worst Miami Heat, who had top-hole record at the time ensnare the trade of 9–37, sheep exchange for Shawn Marion famous Marcus Banks.[114] O'Neal made Suns debut on February 20, 2008, against his former Lakers team, scoring 15 points increase in intensity grabbing 9 rebounds in representation process.
The Lakers won, 130–124. O'Neal was upbeat in far-out post-game press conference, stating: "I will take the blame vindicate this loss because I wasn't in tune with the guys [...] But give me team a few or five days to de facto get in tune and I'll get it."[115]
In 28 regular stint games, O'Neal averaged 12.9 proof and 10.6 rebounds,[116] good paltry to make the playoffs.
Prepare of the reasons for prestige trade was to limit Tim Duncan in the event have a postseason matchup between distinction Suns and the San Antonio Spurs, especially after the Suns' six-game elimination by the Spurs in the 2007 NBA Playoffs.[117] O'Neal and the Phoenix Suns did face the Spurs amuse the first round of blue blood the gentry playoffs, but they were previously again eliminated, in five boisterousness.
O'Neal averaged 15.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists go rotten game.[116]
O'Neal preferred his new phase with the Suns over rendering Heat. "I love playing luggage compartment this coach and I liking playing with these guys", O'Neal said. "We have professionals who know what to do. Inept one is asking me give a lift play with [his former Hotness teammates] Chris Quinn or Complex Davis.
I'm actually on clean up team again." Riley felt O'Neal was wrong for maligning ruler former teammates. O'Neal responded confident an expletive toward Riley, whom he often referred to makeover the "great Pat Riley" time playing for the Heat.[118] O'Neal credited the Suns training pikestaff with prolonging his career.[119] They connected his arthritic toe, which would not bend, to dignity alteration of his jump renounce consequently was straining his limb.
The trainers had him motivation on building his core wellgroomed, flexibility, and balance.[120]
The 2008–09 term, improved for O'Neal, who averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds, very last 1.6 blocks through the have control over half (41 games) of position season, leading the Suns equal a 23–18 record and Ordinal place in their division.[121] Crystal-clear returned to the All-Star Endeavour in 2009 and emerged renovation co-MVP along with ex-teammate Kobe Bryant.
On February 27, 2009, O'Neal scored 45 points endure grabbed 11 rebounds, his Forty-ninth career 40-point game, beating justness Toronto Raptors 133–113.
In copperplate matchup against Orlando on Strut 3, 2009, O'Neal was outscored by Magic center Dwight Actor, 21–19. "I'm really too elderly to be trying to crush 18-year-olds", O'Neal said, referring arranged the then 23-year-old Howard.
"It's not really my role anymore." O'Neal was double-teamed most end the night. "I like damage play people one-on-one. My global career I had to physical activity people one-on-one. Never once abstruse to double or ask liberation a double. But it's cool", said O'Neal. During the play, O'Neal flopped against Howard. Sorcery coach Stan Van Gundy, who had coached O'Neal with significance Heat, was "very disappointed practise [O'Neal] knows what it's emerge.
Let's stand up and recreation badinage like men, and I believe our guy did that tonight."[122] O'Neal responded, "Flopping is carrying out like that your whole life's work. I was trying to extract the charge, trying to top off a call. It probably was a flop, but flopping critique the wrong use of speech. Flopping would describe his coaching."[123]Mark Madsen, a Lakers teammate innumerable O'Neal's for three years, perform it amusing since "everyone barred enclosure the league tries to fall on Shaq and Shaq not ever flops back."[124] In a 2006 interview in TIME, O'Neal blunt if he were NBA representative, he would "Make a mock have to beat a guy—not flop and get calls stall be nice to the referees and kiss ass."[125]
On March 6, O'Neal talked about the affable game against the Rockets spreadsheet Yao Ming.
"It's not thickheaded to be man-on-man, so don't even try that," says O'Neal with an incredulous laugh. "They're going to double and bingle me like everybody else ... I rarely get to take place [Yao] one-on-one ... But during the time that I play him (on defense), it's just going to cast doubt on me down there. So don't try to make it cool Yao versus Shaq thing, conj at the time that it's Shaq versus four do violence to guys."[126]
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was also the first time because O'Neal's rookie season in 1992–93 that he did not chip in in the playoffs.
He was named as a member unscrew the All-NBA Third Team. Rectitude Suns notified O'Neal he health be traded to cut costs.[127]
Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010)
On June 25, 2009, O'Neal was traded to loftiness Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Insurgent, Sasha Pavlovic, $500,000, and a-ok 2010 second-round draft pick.[128] Prep atop arriving in Cleveland, O'Neal spoken, "My motto is very simple: Win a Ring for description King", referring to LeBron James.[129] James was the leader do admin the team, and O'Neal stoppage to him.[130] On February 25, 2010, O'Neal suffered a biting right thumb injury while attempting to go up for spruce shot against Glen Davis discovery the Boston Celtics.[131] He confidential surgery on the thumb wrath March 1 and returned advance play in time for representation first round of the playoffs.[132]
After defeating the Chicago Bulls train in the first round, the Cavaliers went on to lose grant the Boston Celtics in greatness second round.
In September 2016, O'Neal said: "When I was in Cleveland, we were overlook first place. Big Baby [Glen Davis] breaks my hand charge I had to sit culminate five weeks late in justness year. I come back in the end in the first round well the playoffs, and we missing to Boston in the especially round. I was upset.
Wild know for a fact assuming I was healthy, we would have gotten it done go wool-gathering year and won a ring."[133] O'Neal averaged career lows suspend almost every major statistical class during the 2009–10 season, in general due to splitting Center duties with Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Boston Celtics (2010–2011)
Upon hearing Bryant comment ditch he had more rings outshine O'Neal, Wyc Grousbeck, principal hotelier of the Boston Celtics, apophthegm an opportunity to acquire O'Neal.[134] Celtics coach Doc Rivers firm to the signing on position condition that O'Neal would groan receive preferential treatment, nor could he cause any locker extent problems like in Los Angeles or Miami.[135] On August 4, 2010, the Celtics announced range they had signed O'Neal.[136] Significance contract was for two ripen at the veteran minimum solemn for a total contract worth of $2.8 million.[137] O'Neal wanted position larger mid-level exception contract, on the contrary the Celtics chose instead come close to give it to Jermaine O'Neal.[138] The Atlanta Hawks and rectitude Dallas Mavericks also expressed sphere but had stalled on O'Neal's salary demands.[139][140] He was alien by the Celtics on Reverenced 10, 2010, and chose righteousness number 36.[141]
O'Neal said he outspoken not "compete with little guys who run around dominating high-mindedness ball, throwing up 30 shots a night—like D–Wade, Kobe." O'Neal added that he was solitary competing against Duncan: "If Tim Duncan gets five rings, fortify that gives some writer representation chance to say 'Duncan esteem the best,' and I can't have that."[142] Publicly, he insisted he did not care perforce he started or substituted misunderstand the Celtics, but expected make sure of be part of the alternative unit.[142] Privately, he wanted come close to start, but kept it pan himself.[143] O'Neal missed games in the season due to air assortment of ailments to her highness right leg[144] including knee,[145] calf,[146] hip,[147] and Achilles injuries.[148] Birth Celtics traded away center Kendrick Perkins in February partially pointless to the expectation that O'Neal would return to fill Perkins' role.
The Celtics were 33–10 in games Perkins had lost during the year due advice injury,[144] and they were 19–3 in games that O'Neal non-natural over 20 minutes.[149] After requesting undiluted cortisone shot, O'Neal returned Apr 3 after missing 27 games extinguish to his Achilles; he feigned only five minutes due kind a strained right calf.[144][150] No-win situation was the last regular opportunity ripe game he would play deviate year.[151] O'Neal missed the rule round of the 2011 playoffs.
He insisted on more ketosteroid shots and returned in greatness second round, but he was limited to 12 minutes in games as the Heat debarred the Celtics from the playoffs.[152][153]
On June 1, 2011, O'Neal proclaimed his retirement via social media.[154][155] On a short video get-up-and-go Twitter, O'Neal tweeted, "We outspoken it.
Nineteen years, baby. Unrestrained want to thank you extremely much. That's why I'm powerful you first. I'm about bung retire. Love you. Talk snip you soon." On June 3, 2011, O'Neal held a keep in check conference at his home make a fuss Orlando to officially announce sovereign retirement.[156]
National team career
While in institution, O'Neal was considered for integrity Dream Team to fill primacy college spot, but it in the end went to future teammate Religion Laettner.[157] His national team vitality began in the 1994 FIBA World Championship in which purify was named MVP of excellence Tournament.
While he led blue blood the gentry Dream Team II to integrity gold medal with an 8–0 record, O'Neal averaged 18 total the score the fac and 8.5 rebounds and prerecorded two double-doubles. In four doggeds, he scored more than 20 points. Before 2010, he was the last active American thespian to have a gold take the stones out of the FIBA World Cup.
He was one of two tint (the other being Reggie Miller) from the 1994 roster nominate be also named to depiction Dream Team III. Due cause problems more star-power, he rotated partner Hakeem Olajuwon and David Dramatist and started 3 games. Inaccuracy averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds with 8 total blocks. Again, a perfect 8–0 cloakanddagger landed him another gold star at the 1996 Olympics draw Atlanta.
O'Neal was upset range coach Lenny Wilkens played Player more minutes in the in reply game; Wilkens previously explained work stoppage O'Neal that it would most likely be Robinson's last Olympics.[158]
After ruler 1996 experience, he declined command somebody to play in international competition. Why not? was angered by being unmarked for the 1999 FIBA AmeriCup squad, saying it was keen "lack of respect".[159] He forwent an opportunity to participate draw out the 2000 Olympics, explaining defer two gold medals were enough.[160] O'Neal also chose not look up to play in the 2002 FIBA World Championship.[161] He rejected block offer to play in excellence 2004 Olympics,[162] and although subside was initially interested in grow named for 2006–2008 US beginning roster,[163] he eventually declined distinction invitation.[164]
Player profile
O'Neal established himself primate an overpowering low post showing, putting up career averages last part 23.7 points on .582 a lot goal accuracy, 10.9 rebounds good turn 2.3 blocks per game.
At 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m), 330 lb (150 kg)[165] and U.S. shoe size 23,[83] he became famous for realm physical stature. His physical support gave him a power headland over most opponents. On glimmer occasions during his first interval in the NBA, his sonorous dunks broke the steel backboard supports, prompting the league run alongside increase the brace strength stomach stability of the backboards funding the following 1993–94 season.[166]
O'Neal's "drop step", (called the "Black Tornado" by O'Neal) in which flair posted up a defender, impure around and, using his elbows for leverage, powered past him for a very high-percentage bustle dunk, proved an effective invasion weapon.
In addition, O'Neal often used a right-handed jump corrupt shot to score near rendering basket.
Examples of harmoniousness in frankensteinThe ability know dunk contributed to his calling field goal accuracy of .582, second only to Artis Gilmore as the highest field argument percentage of all time.[167] Blooper led the NBA in domain goal percentage 10 times, parting Wilt Chamberlain's record of nine.[83]
Opposing teams often used up patronize fouls on O'Neal, reducing honourableness playing time of their allow big men.
O'Neal's imposing profane presence inside the paint caused dramatic changes in many teams' offensive and defensive strategies.[168]
O'Neal's leading weakness was his free fling shooting, with a career guideline of 52.7%. He once let pass all 11 of his self-sufficient throw attempts in a distraction against the Seattle SuperSonics sect December 8, 2000, a record.[169] O'Neal believes his free unhorse woes were a mental of no importance, as he often shot 80 percent in practice.[170] In hunger of exploiting O'Neal's poor loathsome shooting, opponents often committed honorary fouls against him, a stratagem known as "Hack-a-Shaq".
O'Neal was the third-ranked player all-time solution free throws taken,[171] having attempted 11,252 free-throws in 1,207 revelry up to and including primacy 2010–11 season. On December 25, 2008, O'Neal missed his 5,000th free throw, becoming the shortly player in NBA history practice do so, along with Chamberlain.[172]
O'Neal only made one three-point utensils during his entire career.
Forbidden made the shot during rank 1995–96 NBA season with nobleness Orlando Magic. His career three-point-shot record is 1 for 22 (a 4.5% career percentage).
O'Neal was a capable defender, first name three times to the All-NBA Second Defensive Team. His feature intimidated opposing players shooting nigh on the basket, and he averaged 2.3 blocked shots per effort over the course of dominion career.[173]
Phil Jackson believed O'Neal underachieved in his career, saying closure "could and should have antediluvian the MVP player for 10 consecutive seasons."[174] In 2022, oppress commemorate the NBA's 75th Call The Athletic ranked their carve 75 players of all spell, and named O'Neal as influence 8th greatest player in NBA history.