Shaq retires

[Hammock Parties]

Props to one of the best basketball players ever. Where do you rank him?

Video:
http://www.tout.com/u/Shaq

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=6615886

After a mentally exhausting season in which he was unable to overcome the effects of a right Achilles injury as a member of the Boston Celtics, Shaquille O'Neal has decided to retire after 19 NBA seasons.

In typical O'Neal fashion, he chose the unconventional approach of announcing his retirement via social media. He posted a short video on a new social media site called Tout in which he said:

"We did it. Nineteen years baby," he said in the message. "I want to thank you very much, that's why I'm telling you first, I'm about to retire. Thank you, talk to you soon."

O'Neal walks away with four championship rings, three Finals MVP trophies, one MVP award, and 15 All-Star appearances. O'Neal, a two-time NBA scoring champion, is fifth all-time on the NBA's list for career points (28,596) and 12th in total rebounds (13,099).

O'Neal arrived in Boston last August declaring he had 730 days -- or two more seasons -- in his NBA career, but he couldn't endure the first 365. Riddled by injuries, most notably the lingering Achilles ailment, he appeared in just 37 regular-season games and limped through two playoff appearances for Boston, playing a mere 17½ minutes after Feb. 1.

Upon arriving in Boston, O'Neal injected newfound lightheartedness in Boston's training camp and quickly endeared himself to the region with stunts like posing as a statue in Harvard Square, conducting a holiday medley with the Boston Pops, and dressing in drag for Halloween.

But even as the Celtics thrived when he was on the court -- enough so for Boston to consider trading away starting center Kendrick Perkins at the February trade deadline -- O'Neal struggled to stay on the court due to a myriad of injuries on the right side of his body.

No amount of rehab and medicine could cure the ailing Achilles, which limited him to one appearance after Feb. 1, a 5½-minute stint against the Detroit Pistons in early April that saw him limp right back off the court when the injury flared.

O'Neal played small minutes in Games 3 and 4 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Heat before being deactivated for Game 5 as the Celtics season ended in Miami.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

I'd likely care a little bit if Shaq wasn't a colossal douche....

I've always thought Shaq was a likable guy....

[blaise]

Originally Posted by Red 5

I've always thought Shaq was a likable guy....

I once heard Matt Bullard from the Rockets say most players liked him. He said they were all lucky he was nice, because he would get fouled so hard every night, if he was a jerk he probably would have punched people and killed someone.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

I'll catch crap for this, but I would put him ahead of Russell. I say 3rd.

I'd put him ahead of Kareem. Kareem couldn't control a game on the defensive end like Shaq could. Kareem had a better career, but don't you just think Shaq in his prime would've thrown Kareem around? Can you imagine Kareem keeping his legs under him for that sky hook after Shaq worked him underneath on the offensive end for a game or 2? In a playoff series, I'd absolutely take Shaq ahead of Kareem. Raw numbers and 'career' go to Kareem, but Shaq was the better center, IMO.

Wilt is the only person I have definitely ahead of him (and I could be convinced). At gunpoint I would put Russell ahead of him, but Shaqs offensive game is simply light years beyond Russell's and defensively, again, Shaq could destroy the world if he wanted to.

What gives Russel the nod over Shaq was his drive. Shaq played large chunks of the season in cruise control. He also used the first month or so to get himself back into playing shape after being a lardass in the offseason. Had Shaq Russell's drive and leadership ability, he'd have blown Bill out of the water.

But ultimately, Russell's leadership was instrumental in all those rings and that counts for something.

Wilt
Russell
Shaq
Kareem
Hakeem
Malone
Robinson
Parrish
Mikan
Ewing
Reed
Walton (too many injuries)

[ChiefsCountry]

Jordan
Wilt
Russell
Magic
Bird
Shaq
Oscar
Jerry West
Kareem
Hakeem
Kobe
Elgin Baylor
Duncan
LeBron
Karl Malone

Here is my top 15 as of now. I think LeBron is going to shoot up even higher on this list.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

I'll catch crap for this, but I would put him ahead of Russell. I say 3rd.

Russell: 963 games, 40,726 minutes (42.3 avg), 21,620 total rebounds (22.5 avg... yes, per game, for his career... and in just the playoffs it raises to 24.8 per game), 4,100 assists, 14,522 points (15.1 ppg), had to deal with Wilt Chamberlain.

Shaq: 1207 games, 41,918 minutes (34.7 avg), 13,099 total rebounds (10.9 per game), 3,026 assists, 28,596 points (23.7 ppg).

Yes, Shaq played longer. But he logged almost 8 minutes fewer per game. Yes, Shaq was a much better scorer. But as a rebounder he pales in comparison, and played in an era where scoring was more important. Russell played in an era where rebounds and defense were a center's job... and that tall skinny man dominated, when you could be way more physical than today.

Shaq's career FG% is much higher than Russel's (58% to 44%). Which makes you say, "Wow, Shaq was unstoppable around the basket!" Then why did his rebounding suck so bad in comparison? Sounds to me like he relied on his physical gifts and actually, yes, really didn't try as hard as he could've. I think he could've been one of the greatest ever, if he'd put his mind to it more.

[Pennywise]

Greatest clutch free throw shooter ever.

[DaKCMan AP]

Kareem > Shaq

Kareem was obviously more offensively talented than Shaq, but Kareem also averaged more rebounds per game, blocks per game, and steals per game.

Kareem also had more Championships, MVPs, All-Stars, was 5x All-Defense First Team and 6x All-Defense Second Team.

[SuperChief]

I'll never forget you, Diesel.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by JD10367

Russell: 963 games, 40,726 minutes (42.3 avg), 21,620 total rebounds (22.5 avg... yes, per game, for his career... and in just the playoffs it raises to 24.8 per game), 4,100 assists, 14,522 points (15.1 ppg), had to deal with Wilt Chamberlain.

Shaq: 1207 games, 41,918 minutes (34.7 avg), 13,099 total rebounds (10.9 per game), 3,026 assists, 28,596 points (23.7 ppg).

Yes, Shaq played longer. But he logged almost 8 minutes fewer per game. Yes, Shaq was a much better scorer. But as a rebounder he pales in comparison, and played in an era where scoring was more important. Russell played in an era where rebounds and defense were a center's job... and that tall skinny man dominated, when you could be way more physical than today.

Shaq's career FG% is much higher than Russel's (58% to 44%). Which makes you say, "Wow, Shaq was unstoppable around the basket!" Then why did his rebounding suck so bad in comparison? Sounds to me like he relied on his physical gifts and actually, yes, really didn't try as hard as he could've. I think he could've been one of the greatest ever, if he'd put his mind to it more.

It so tough to compare players from ERA's. Someone else brought out what Lebron's numbers would have been based on the number of possessions in a game back when Wilt played. However if we are lining up and picking teams I'm taking Shaq before Russell on mine.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

It so tough to compare players from ERA's. Someone else brought out what Lebron's numbers would have been based on the number of possessions in a game back when Wilt played. However if we are lining up and picking teams I'm taking Shaq before Russell on mine.

And your team's gonna get its ass kicked, LOL.

1. Chamberlain
2. Russell
3. Kareem
4. Shaq
5. Hakeem

That's my top five.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by JD10367

1. Chamberlain
2. Russell
3. Kareem
4. Shaq
5. Hakeem

That's my top five.

Yes.

[shitgoose]

Russell>>Shaq.

Russell 11x NBA Champion with two of those coming as player-coach

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by shitgoose

Russell>>Shaq.

Russell 11x NBA Champion with two of those coming as player-coach

You can't go strickly on that or you bring up the Big Game Bob arguement.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

You can't go strickly on that or you bring up the Big Game Bob arguement.

Big Game Bob didn't average 15 and 22.5 over his career.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Big Game Bob didn't average 15 and 22.5 over his career.

Right, but it brings up what is the value of a Championship. Championships are weighted of course in the greatness of a player. Let's take Kobe for example. Which of his 5 titles are more valuable to his legacy? Obviously the last 2 where he actually lead the team to a title instead of playing Robin to Batman during the first 3. If Lebron could have won a title with the Cavs it would have weighed higher then him winning one with the Heat.