Shaquille O'Neal

"Shaq"

Rashaun Shaquille O'Neal (Newark, New Jersey, March 6, 1972) is an American former player debaloncesto, who played the role of pívot.2 It is considered one of the most dominant players in the history of the NBA.3 4 O O'Neal has won four NBA championships, three Los Angeles Lakers and one conMiami Heat also finished runner-up in 1995 with Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers in 2004.

As for individual awards, O'Neal has achieved MVP season in 2000, eight appearances in the NBA quintet elmejor three Finals MVP three MVP of the All-Star Game (the last one, shared with her former teammate Kobe Bryant of the Lakers) and the Rookie of the Year. It is the sixth leading scorer in the history of Lanba with 28,596 points, overcome by his former teammate Kobe Bryant on February 7, 2012 in his native Philadelphia against the Philadelphia 76ers.

In the US team, O'Neal garnered Olympic gold in 1996 and the 1994 World Cup in Canada, being chosen MVP of the World Championship.

The September 11, 2008, O'Neal said he would retire from basketball in 735 days, which meant that after the 2009-10 season would be his official retirada.5 however, continued in the template of a season Boston Celtics more. Once completed, the June 1, 2011 announced through the social network Twitter its final withdrawal of tennis baloncesto.6 After his retirement, he began to collaborate with TNT Inside the NBA for American channel TNT, with a brief section Shaqtin known as' a fool, which gives an overview of the funniest moments that have occurred in the last week of competition at the NBA

NBA

Orlando Magic

O'Neal was selected in the first position of the 1992 NBA draft by Orlando Magic. During the summer, before moving to Orlando, he spent a lot of time in Los Angeles under the tutelage of Magic Johnson. O'Neal completed extraordinary first season in the league, helping the Magic win 20 more games than the previous season but staying out of the playoffs by mínima.10 His averages were 23.4 points and 13.9 rebounds per game, easily getting Rookie of the Year. He also became the first player in NBA history to be named Player of the Week in his first week in the league. O'Neal also played in the All-Star Game, scoring 14 points on four occasions and won the award for best rookie of the month (November, December, January and February). On two occasions during the season, both games were televised nationwide, O'Neal made a dunk with such force that the board broke the supports. The first time was in a game against Phoenix Suns and the second against New Jersey Nets.

The second season of Shaq was even better than the first. Along with his new partner Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, O'Neal averaged 29.3 points and led the NBA in field goal percentage at 60% and double-doubles. He played for the second consecutive year the All-Star, was chosen in the third better quintet of the league and won awards for best player of the month in December and March. The November 20, 1993 he signed his first triple-double against the Nets with 24 points, 28 rebounds (career high) and 15 caps. That season was the first in which the Magic agreed to playoffs, falling eliminated in first round against Indiana Pacers 3-0.

During the summer of 1994, O'Neal was selected to compete in the World Basketball Championship in Canada. With 18 points per game average was the eighth highest scorer in the competition, a member of the best team of the tournament and MVP. 

Los Angeles Lakers

After the 1995-96 season, O'Neal chose to leave the Magic and Los Angeles Lakers joining for seven years and $ 122 million. O'Neal was forced to change his number 32 of the Magic by 34 because the former was retired in honor of Magic Johnson. The player met some young people who had recently returned Lakers to the playoffs, but of which little could be expected for the moment. The arrival of center changed expectations, but due to injury had to lose many games during the 1996-97 season and the team overpaid downward from its star. For 1997-98, Rick Fox and Robert Horry came to the team and Jerry West was hired as general manager. Although the Lakers won 61 regular-season wins, 12 fell again eliminated in playoffs against Utah Jazz for the second consecutive season, the first two of O'Neal in the team. In 1997 they were defeated in the conference semifinals in 1998 and 4-1 in the conference finals 4-0.

In 1999, the Lakers signed coach Phil Jackson, who won six times with the Bulls, so the team's fortunes changed dramatically. Using the triangle offense, O'Neal and Bryant led the team to three consecutive titles (2000, 2001 and 2002) and with O'Neal as Finals MVP in all of them.

1999-00 season was the most successful of O'Neal. He was named MVP of the season, remaining to a vote of becoming the first unanimous MVP elected in the history of the NBA. Fred Hickman, then of CNN, was the only voter who did not opt ​​for center for first place, choosing Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers. Above all, Shaq also won the MVP of the All-Star Game along with Tim Duncan and Finals MVP, a feat achieved by only two other players in history (to win three MVP). In the statistical section, it was the leading scorer in the regular season with 29.7 points, finished second in rebounding and third in blocks. For the first time in his career he was part of the best defensive quintet of the league, particularly the second, and was voted player of the month in November, February and March, so entering history as the first player to win the award in three times in a season. The Lakers won 67 regular-season games and went up with his first NBA championship after defeating in the end of 2000 to Indiana Pacers in six partidos.13

Miami Heat

The July 14, 2004, O'Neal was officially traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a future first-round draft.15 He was later inducted into the Hall of Fame universidad.8 O'Neal 34 dorsal wearing the Lakers to 32 he used in his time at Orlando Magic was changed. In his presentation to the Heat, Shaq promised fans a ring campeón.16

O'Neal in a game with the Heat.

With O'Neal on board, the Heat had the best record in the Eastern Conference with 59 wins and 23 derrotas.17 O'Neal averaged 22.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, being chosen for the 12th consecutive year to play the All-Star Game ; also part of the best team in the league. Despite having his sore thigh, O'Neal led the Heat to the Eastern Conference Finals and the seventh game against Detroit Pistons, who lost by a narrow margin. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns basis, O'Neal won the vote of one of the most evenly matched MVP season in the history of NBA.18

In the 2006 playoffs the Heat did not show too many problems in eliminating Chicago Bulls (4-2 and Shaq signing 30 points and 20 rebounds in the sixth meeting) 23 and New Jersey Nets (4-1) before facing the Pistons in the conference finals. This time they avenged last year's defeat and eliminated the defending champions 4-2 conference, thus achieving the Heat play the first NBA Finals in their history. They Dallas Mavericks won a series after going behind 2-0; Miami won four straight games and won the ring campeón.24 Dwyane Wade Finals MVP proclaimed. This became the fourth championship of O'Neal and his sixth Final.

Phoenix Suns

O'Neal, wearing the shirt of the Suns.

On February 6, 2008 he was traded to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.31 O'Neal made his debut with the Suns on Feb. 20 at his exequipo the Lakers, scoring 15 points and 9 rebounds captured, but lost by 130-124 . O'Neal showed a positive attitude in the press conference after-party, declaring: ". I blame the defeat because he was not suited to my colleagues [...] But give me four or five days and get" 32

However, in 28 regular season games with the Suns, O'Neal averaged 12.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per encuentro.33 allegedly the main reason for the transfer was to counter the Lakers were Pau Gasol reinforced in a deal with Memphis six days earlier, as both were framed in the Pacific Division, and both were by direct rivals. Phoenix faced the Spurs in the first round of the 2008 playoffs and were eliminated in five partidos.34 O'Neal averaged 15.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and one assist per game during serie.33

The February 16, 2009 became MVP of the All-Star Game in Phoenix with Kobe Bryant where he signed 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists

Cleveland Cavaliers

The June 25, 2009 he was traded to Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Sasha Pavlovic, Ben Wallace, $ 500 000 and a second round pick of 2010.36 Arriving in Cleveland, O'Neal said: "My motto is very simple: win a Ring for the King, "referring to LeBron James, 37 who was the team leader.

The February 25, 2010 O'Neal suffered a serious injury to his right thumb while trying to tackle a shot from Glen Davis of the Boston Celtics38 thumb surgery after March 1, he returned to the court on April 17, in the first round of playoffs against Chicago Bulls.39

In Cleveland, the winger played a much less significant role than in previous years, with a smaller presence in the post and the lowest average of his career in most statistical records. After the retirement of Lindsey Hunter on March 5, O'Neal became the oldest active player. He returned to the title in time for the playoffs, where the Cavaliers quickly defeated the Chicago Bulls in the first round but were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Boston Celtics

After one season in Cleveland Cavaliers blank and progress of Lebron James Miami Heat Shaquille signed a 2 year contract (the second option) for the veteran's minimum with the Boston Celtics. He was presented with the race number 36, who wore the 2010/2011 season. The June 1, 2011 he announced his retirement from tennis after multiple injuries throughout the season.

Shaq O'Neal became more and more dominant force presence in the NBA, its 2.16 tall and 147 kg (163 kg in his career seasons 6-12) made him famous for his physical presence.

His most characteristic movement was the "Drop Step" (O'Neal himself defined it as "Black Tornado"), where after receiving the ball, turned on itself to make a mate, this helped to become the second player with the highest percentage hit from the field, behind Wilt Chamberlain.