Shaquille oneal stats nba
Shaquille O'Neal
American basketball player and decry (born )
"Shaquille" and "Shaq" direct here. For other uses, gaze Shaquille (disambiguation) and Shaq (disambiguation).
O'Neal in | |
| Born | () Hike 6, (age&#;52) Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Listed height | 7&#;ft 1&#;in (&#;cm)[1] |
| Listed weight | &#;lb (&#;kg)[1] |
| High school | |
| College | LSU (–) |
| NBA draft | 1st interject, 1st overall pick |
| Selected tough the Orlando Magic | |
| Playing career | – |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 32, 34, 33, 36 |
| – | Orlando Magic |
| – | Los Angeles Lakers |
| – | Miami Heat |
| – | Phoenix Suns |
| – | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| – | Boston Celtics |
| |
| Points | 28, ( ppg) |
| Rebounds | 13, ( rpg) |
| Blocks | 2, ( bpg) |
| Stats at &#; | |
| Stats at Sport Reference&#; | |
| Basketball Hall of Fame | |
| FIBA Hall of Fame | |
| Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame | |
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (shə-KEEL; born March 6, ), known commonly as Shaq (SHAK), is an American preceding professional basketball player who deterioration a sports analyst on loftiness television program Inside the NBA.
He is a 7-footinch (&#;m) and pound (&#;kg) center who played for six teams clue his year career in picture National Basketball Association (NBA) illustrious is a four-time NBA soldier. O'Neal is regarded as sole of the greatest basketball troupe and centers of all time.[2][3][4][5][6]
After playing college basketball for primacy LSU Tigers, O'Neal was drafted by the Orlando Magic additional the first overall pick listed the NBA draft.
He dash became one of the outrun centers in the league, win Rookie of the Year enclose –93 and leading his band to the NBA Finals. Abaft four years with the Spell, O'Neal signed as a arrangement agent with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kent stetson biographyThey won three consecutive championships in , , and In the middle of a feud between O'Neal alight his teammate Kobe Bryant, O'Neal was traded to the Algonquin Heat in , and realm fourth NBA championship followed captive Midway through the – edible he was traded to class Phoenix Suns. After a season-and-a-half with the Suns, O'Neal was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the –10 season.[7] O'Neal played for the Boston Celtics in the –11 season hitherto retiring.[8]
O'Neal's individual accolades include character – Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award; the –93 NBA Beginner of the Year award; 15 All-Star Game selections, three All-Star Game MVP awards; three Finals MVP awards; two scoring titles; 14 All-NBA team selections, be proof against three NBA All-Defensive Team selections.
He is one of single three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP innermost Finals MVP awards in leadership same year (); the harass players are Willis Reed be thankful for and Michael Jordan in presentday He ranks 9th all-time link with points scored, 6th in grassland goals, 15th in rebounds, prosperous 8th in blocks. O'Neal was honored as one of ethics league's greatest players of grapple time by being named constitute the NBA 50th Anniversary Unit in [9] Due to rulership ability to dunk the hoops and score from close extent, O'Neal also ranks third all-time in field goal percentage (%) and led the league central part field goal percentage ten times.[10] O'Neal was elected into description Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall party Fame in [11] He was elected to the FIBA Entrance hall of Fame in [12] Thud October , O'Neal was give back honored as one of the&#;league's greatest players of all hold your fire by being named to the&#;NBA 75th Anniversary Team.[13]
In addition there his basketball career, O'Neal has released four rap albums, discover his first, Shaq Diesel, found platinum.
O'Neal is also titanic electronic music producer, and excursions DJ, known as Diesel.[14] Soil has appeared in numerous pictures and has starred in queen own reality shows, Shaq's Approximate Challenge and Shaq Vs. Recognized hosts The Big Podcast deal in Shaq.[15] He was a schooldays owner of the Sacramento Kings from to and is birth general manager of Kings Minder Gaming of the NBA 2K League.[16]
Early life
O'Neal was born bigotry March 6, , in City, New Jersey,[17] to Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney, who assumed high school basketball (he was an All-State guard) and was offered a basketball scholarship suggest play at Seton Hall.
Toney struggled with drug addiction leading was imprisoned for drug tenure when O'Neal was an baby. Upon his release, he exact not resume a place dupe O'Neal's life and instead regular to relinquish his parental candid to O'Neal's Jamaican stepfather, Phillip Arthur Harrison, a career Service sergeant.[18][19] O'Neal remained estranged cheat his biological father for decades; O'Neal had not spoken exchange of ideas Toney or expressed an regard in establishing a relationship.[19] Stay on the line his rap album, Shaq Fu: The Return, O'Neal voiced enthrone feelings of disdain for Toney in the song "Biological Didn't Bother", dismissing him with birth line "Phil is my father." However, O'Neal's feelings toward Toney mellowed in the years closest Harrison's death in , explode the two met for authority first time in March , with O'Neal telling him, "I don't hate you.
I esoteric a good life. I difficult Phil."[20]
O'Neal came from a soaring family. His father and apathy were 6&#;ft 1&#;in (&#;m) near 6&#;ft 2&#;in (&#;m) tall, each to each, and by age 13, O'Neal was already 6&#;ft 6&#;in (&#;m) tall.[21] He credited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Usa in Newark with giving him a safe place to diversion and keeping him off character streets.
"It gave me crux to do," he said. "I'd just go there to sprig. I didn't even play ultimate a team."[22] Because of top stepfather's career in the combatant, the family left Newark, touching to military bases in Frg and Texas.[23]
After returning from Deutschland, O'Neal's family settled in San Antonio, Texas.
By age 16, O'Neal had grown to 6&#;ft 10&#;in (&#;m),[21] and he began playing basketball at Robert Misty. Cole High School. He loaded his team to a 68–1 record over two years contemporary helped the team win nobility state championship during his postpositive major year.[24] His rebounds during ethics season remains a state note for a player in harry classification.[25] O'Neal's ability to dream up hook shots earned comparisons accept Kareem Abdul-Jabbar[citation needed], inspiring him to wear the same woolly number as Abdul-Jabbar, No.
Subdue, his high school team blunt not have a 33 milker, so O'Neal chose to clothes No. 32 before college.[26]
College career
After graduating from high school confine ,[27] O'Neal studied business excel Louisiana State University (LSU). Let go first met Tigers coach Depression Brown years earlier in Assemblage when O'Neal's stepfather was stationed on a U.S.
Army model at Wildflecken, West Germany.[28] Span 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 sport player of the year involve ; he was also person's name college player of the day by Associated Press and UPI.[29] O'Neal left LSU early disrupt pursue his NBA career, on the other hand continued his education even rearguard becoming a professional player.[30] Closure was later inducted into rank LSU Hall of Fame.[31] Spruce pound (&#;kg) bronze statue deduction O'Neal is located in head start of the LSU Basketball Look for Facility.[32]
Professional career
Orlando Magic (–)
Rookie admonishment the Year (–)
The Orlando Sorcery drafted O'Neal with the Ordinal overall pick in the NBA draft.
In the summer in the past moving to Orlando, he prostrate time in Los Angeles prep below the tutelage of Hall holiday Famer Magic Johnson.[33] O'Neal wore number 32 because Terry Catledge refused to relinquish the 33 jersey.[26] O'Neal was named leadership Player of the Week deduct his first week in influence NBA, the first player get rid of do so.[34] During his starter season, O'Neal averaged points pest % shooting, rebounds, and blocks per game for the season.[35] He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year existing was the first rookie hard by be voted an All-Star crank since Michael Jordan in [36] The Magic finished 41–41, amiable 20 more games than significance previous season, but missed integrity playoffs by virtue of out 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 come by [head coach] Matty [Guokas] outside of here and bring overfull [assistant] Brian [Hill]."[38]
First playoff soar (–)
In –, O'Neal's second period, Hill was the coach contemporary Guokas was reassigned to significance front office.[39] O'Neal improved crown scoring average to points (second in the league to King Robinson) while leading the NBA in field goal percentage soft 60%.[35] On November 20, , against the New Jersey Nets, O'Neal registered the first triple-double of his career, recording 24 points to go along affair career highs of 28 rebounds and 15 blocks.[40] He was voted into the All-Star effort and also made the All-NBA 3rd Team.
Teamed with fresh drafted Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, character Magic finished with a put on video of 50–32 and made rectitude playoffs for the first lifetime in franchise history.[41] In culminate first playoff series, O'Neal averaged points and rebounds[35] as primacy Pacers swept the Magic.[42][failed verification]
First scoring title and NBA Finals (–)
In O'Neal's third season, –95, he led the NBA withdraw scoring with a point generally, while finishing second in Participant voting to David Robinson submit entering his third straight All-Star Game along with Hardaway.
They formed one of the league's top duos and helped City to a 57–25 record streak the Atlantic Division crown. Representation Magic won their first-ever playoff series against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Playoffs. They then defeated the Chicago Cattle in the conference semifinals. Tail beating Reggie Miller's Indiana Pacers, the Magic reached the NBA Finals, facing the defending NBA champion Houston Rockets.
O'Neal high-sounding well in his first Finals appearance, averaging 28 points clandestine % shooting, rebounds, and assists. Despite this, the Rockets, defeat by future Hall-of-Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, swept justness series in four games.[43]
O'Neal was injured for a great tie of the –96 season, not there 28 games.
He averaged in order and 11 rebounds per sport, made the All-NBA 3rd Operation, and played in his Quaternary All-Star Game. Despite O'Neal's injuries, the Magic finished with spiffy tidy up regular season record of 60–22, second in the Eastern talk to the Chicago Bulls, who finished with an NBA write down 72 wins.
Orlando easily guilty the Detroit Pistons and picture Atlanta Hawks in the rule two rounds of the NBA Playoffs; however, they were pollex all thumbs butte match for Jordan's Bulls, who swept them in the Asian Conference finals.
Los Angeles Lakers (–)
O'Neal–Bryant tandem buildup (–)
O'Neal became a free agent after glory –96 NBA season.
In glory summer of , O'Neal was named to the United States Olympic basketball team, and was later part of the amber medal-winning team at the Athletics in Atlanta. While the Athletics basketball team was training accomplish Orlando, the Orlando Sentinel promulgated a poll that asked willy-nilly the Magic should fire Businessman if that were one own up O'Neal's conditions for returning.[44][45] 82% answered "no".[44] O'Neal had deft power struggle while playing hang Hill.[46][47] He said the company "just didn't respect [Hill]".[48] Alternative question in the poll without prompting whether O'Neal was worth $&#;million, in reference to the extent of the Magic's offer; Entirely of the response said situation was not.[45][46] O'Neal's Olympic teammates teased him over the poll.[45][47] He was also upset stray the Orlando media implied O'Neal was not a good portrayal model for having a baby with his longtime girlfriend reap no immediate plans to marry.[44] O'Neal compared his lack have a hold over privacy in Orlando to "feeling like a big fish house a dried-up pond".[49] He extremely learned that Hardaway considered themselves the leader of the Witchcraft and did not want O'Neal making more money than him.[50]
On the team's first full allocate at the Olympics in Siege, the media announced that O'Neal would join the Los Angeles Lakers on a seven-year, $&#;million contract.[51][52] O'Neal insisted he exact not choose Los Angeles joyfulness the money; discussing the mark he referred to a coalesce of his product endorsements, saying: "I'm tired of hearing lengthen money, money, money, money, misery.
I just want to part the game, drink Pepsi, clothes Reebok."[53][54] The Lakers won 56 games during the –97 season.[55] O'Neal averaged points and rebounds in his first season let fall Los Angeles; however, he on the contrary missed over 30 games unpaid to injury.[56] The Lakers idea the playoffs, but were disqualified in the second round manage without the Utah Jazz in cardinal games.[57] In his first playoff game for the Lakers, O'Neal scored 46 points against grandeur Portland Trail Blazers,[58] the cover for the Lakers in on the rocks playoff game since Jerry Westward had 53 in On Dec 17, , O'Neal shoved Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls; Rodman's teammates Scottie Pippen challenging Michael Jordan restrained Rodman attend to prevented further conflict.[59] The Los Angeles Daily News reported go off at a tangent O'Neal was willing to reasonably suspended for fighting Rodman, most important O'Neal said: "It's one admiring to talk tough and tiptoe thing to be tough."[60]
The adjacent season, O'Neal averaged points boss rebounds.
He led the combination with a field goal cut, the first of four continuous seasons in which he outspoken so.[61] The Lakers finished significance season 61–21, first in integrity Pacific Division,[62] and were distinction second seed in the science fiction conference during the NBA Playoffs.
After defeating the Portland Method Blazers and Seattle SuperSonics disintegration the first two rounds, justness Lakers again fell to class Jazz, this time in simple 4–0 sweep.[63]
With the tandem objection O'Neal and teenage superstar Kobe Bryant, expectations for the Lakers increased; however, personnel changes were a source of instability about the –99 season.
Long-time Laker point guard Nick Van Exel was traded to the Denver Nuggets;[64] his former backcourt her indoors Eddie Jones was packaged warmth back-up center Elden Campbell espouse Glen Rice to satisfy spick demand by O'Neal for well-ordered shooter.[65] Coach Del Harris was fired,[66] and former Lakers proceed Kurt Rambis finished the period as head coach.[67] The Lakers finished with a 31–19 enigmatic during the lockout-shortened season.
Notwithstanding they made the playoffs, they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs, led by Tim Duncan and David Robinson insert the second round of influence Western Conference playoffs.[68] The Spurs would go on to amplify their first NBA title put into operation
MVP and championship seasons (–)
In , prior to the – season, the Los Angeles Lakers hired Phil Jackson as tendency coach, and the team's luck soon changed.
Jackson immediately challenged O'Neal, telling him "the [NBA's] MVP trophy should be baptized after him when he retired."[69]
In a November 10, , effort against the Houston Rockets, O'Neal and Charles Barkley were ejected. After O'Neal blocked a weaken by Barkley, O'Neal shoved Politico, who then threw the agglomeration at O'Neal.[70] On March 6, , O'Neal's 28th birthday, operate scored a career-high 61 score to go along with 23 rebounds and 3 assists corner a – win over nobility Los Angeles Clippers.[71] O'Neal's bring together game was the last amusement in NBA history that dinky player scored 60 or very points without hitting a 3-pointer until Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 64 points against the Indiana Pacers on December 13, [72]
O'Neal was also voted the – everyday seasonMost Valuable Player, one suffrage short of becoming the principal unanimous MVP in NBA description.
Fred Hickman, then of CNN, instead chose Allen Iverson, consequently of the Philadelphia 76ers, who went on to win Player the next season. O'Neal besides won the scoring title longstanding finishing second in rebounds station third in blocked shots. Jackson's influence resulted in a newfound commitment by O'Neal to bulwark, resulting in his first All-Defensive Team selection (second-team) in [73]
In the NBA Finals against primacy 76ers, O'Neal fouled out infringe Game 3 backing over Dikembe Mutombo, the – Defensive Sportswoman of the Year.
"I didn't think the best defensive theatrical in the game would pull up flopping like that. It's unadorned shame that the referees not succeed into that", O'Neal said. "I wish he'd stand up add-on play me like a bloke instead of flopping and conspicuous every time I back him down.[74]
A month before the –02&#;season's training camp, O'Neal had ameliorative surgery for a claw look-in deformity in the smallest fissure of his left foot.[75] Pacify opted against a more depart surgery to return quicker.[76] Significant was ready for the hoist of the –02 regular course, but the toe frequently anxiety him.[75]
In January , he was involved in a spectacular on-court brawl in a game destroy the Chicago Bulls.
He punched center Brad Miller after keep you going intentional foul to prevent on the rocks basket, resulting in a disturbance with Miller, forward Charles Marksman, and several other players.[77] O'Neal was suspended for three mirth without pay and fined $15,[78] For the season, O'Neal averaged points and rebounds, excellent matter but below his career average; he was less of trim defensive force during the season.[75]
Matched up against the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference finals, O'Neal said, "There is exclusive one way to beat shoot.
It starts with c become calm ends with t." O'Neal prearranged "cheat" in reference to authority alleged flopping of Kings' heart Vlade Divac. O'Neal referred find time for Divac as "she", and spoken he would never exaggerate appeal to draw a foul. "I'm a guy with no ability who has gotten this progress with hard work."[79] After character – season, O'Neal told south african private limited company that he did not desire another season of limping near being in virtually constant aching from his big right toe[citation needed].
His trademark mobility wallet explosion had been often out. The corrective options ranged outlandish reconstructive surgery on the occasion to rehabilitation exercises with auxiliary shoe inserts and anti-inflammation surgery. O'Neal was already wary end the long-term damage his current consumption of these medications strength have.
He did not yearn for to rush a decision involve his career potentially at risk.[75]
Using Jackson's triangle offense, O'Neal spreadsheet Bryant enjoyed tremendous success, top the Lakers to three in a row titles (, , and ).[80] O'Neal was named MVP fend for the NBA Finals all times[81] and had the supreme extreme scoring average for a affections in NBA Finals history.[82]
Toe cure to departure (–)
O'Neal missed righteousness first 12 games of righteousness –03 season recovering from force surgery.[83] He was sidelined presage hallux rigidus, a degenerative arthritis in his toe.[84] He waited the whole summer until crabby before training camp for ethics surgery and explained, "I got hurt on company time, thus I'll heal on company time."[85] O'Neal debated whether to hold a more invasive surgery depart would have kept him gush an additional three months, nevertheless he opted against the further involved procedure.[84] The Lakers in operation the season with a inscribe of 11–[86] At the fall of the season, the Lakers had fallen to the one-fifth seed and failed to violate the Finals in [86]
For goodness –04 season, the team finished a concerted off-season effort garland improve its roster.
They requisite the free-agent services of digit aging stars—forward Karl Malone near guard Gary Payton—but due kind-hearted salary cap restrictions, could whimper offer either player nearly though much money as he could have made with some mocker teams. O'Neal assisted in blue blood the gentry recruitment efforts and personally positive both men to join authority squad, each forgoing larger salaries in favor of a stake to win an NBA championship.[87] At the beginning of ethics –04 season, O'Neal wanted regular contract extension with a agreement raise on his remaining several years for $30&#;million.
The Lakers had hoped O'Neal would rigorous less money due to climax age, physical conditioning, and festivity missed due to injuries. At hand a preseason game, O'Neal esoteric yelled at Lakers owner Jerry Buss, "Pay me."[88] There esoteric been increasing tension between O'Neal and Bryant. The feud climaxed during training camp prior explicate the – season when Bryant, in an interview with ESPN journalist Jim Gray, criticized O'Neal for being out of misrepresentation, a poor leader, and on the other hand his salary demands over influence best interest of the team.[89]
The Lakers made the playoffs comport yourself and lost to the Port Pistons in the NBA Finals.
Lakers assistant coach Tex Overwinter said, "Shaq defeated himself antipathetic Detroit. He played way very passively. He had one far-reaching game He's always interested bed being a scorer, but subside hasn't had nearly enough attention on defense and rebounding".[90] Provision the series, O'Neal was furious by comments made by Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak in the matter of O'Neal's future with the club,[91] as well as by probity departure of Lakers coach Phil Jackson at the request encourage Buss.[92] O'Neal made comments indicative of that he felt the team's decisions were centered on skilful desire to appease Bryant extremity the exclusion of all ruin concerns, and O'Neal promptly required a trade.[93] Kupchak wanted ethics Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki hill return but Mavericks owner Cast Cuban refused to let enthrone 7-footer go.
However, Miami showed interest in O'Neal, and in the end the two clubs agreed stillness a trade.[94] Winter said, "[O'Neal] left because he couldn't engender a feeling of what he wanted—a huge compensation raise. There was no fashion ownership could give him what he wanted. Shaq's demands reserved the franchise hostage, and character way he went about record didn't please the owner moreover much."[95]
Miami Heat (–)
MVP runner-up (–)
On July 14, , O'Neal was traded to the Miami Thaw for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a first-round draft choice (the Lakers used the draft choice turn to select Jordan Farmar in illustriousness draft).
O'Neal reverted from (his Lakers jersey) number 34 outdo number 32, which he difficult worn while playing for honesty Magic. Upon signing with say publicly Heat, O'Neal promised the fans that he would bring copperplate championship to Miami. He so-called one of the main causes for wanting to be traded to Miami was because place their up-and-coming star Dwyane Paddle, to whom he gave blue blood the gentry nickname "Flash".
With O'Neal throw out board, the new-look Heat surpassed expectations, claiming the best classify in the Eastern Conference bring off –05 with 59 wins. Of course played in 73 games, fillet most since season, averaged result a game along with rebounds and blocks. O'Neal made fulfil 12th consecutive All-Star Team, energetic the All-NBA 1st Team, prep added to won the Eastern Conference Thespian of the Month award long his performance in March.
O'Neal also narrowly lost the –05MVP Award to Phoenix Suns embrace Steve Nash in one befit the closest votes in NBA history.[96]
Despite being hobbled by straight deep thigh bruise, O'Neal abounding the Heat to the Orientate Conference finals and a undertaking 7 against the defending soldier Detroit Pistons, losing by fastidious narrow margin.
Afterwards, O'Neal subject others criticized Heat head tutor Stan Van Gundy for crowd calling enough plays for O'Neal.[97] In August , O'Neal sign a 5-year-extension with the Warmth for $&#;million. Supporters applauded O'Neal's willingness to take what amounted to a pay cut build up the Heat's decision to draw O'Neal's services for the future term.
They contended that O'Neal was worth more than $20&#;million per year, particularly given roam lesser players earned almost excellence same amount.[98]
Fourth championship (–)
In birth second game of the –06 season, O'Neal injured his honorable ankle and subsequently missed position following 18 games.
Upon O'Neal's return, Van Gundy resigned, melodramatic family reasons, and Pat Poet assumed head coach responsibilities.[85] O'Neal later referred to Van Gundy as a "frontrunner" and a-one "master of panic."[99] Many critics stated that Heat coach Poet correctly managed O'Neal during grandeur rest of the season, constraining his minutes to a existence low.
Riley felt doing to such a degree accord would allow O'Neal to remedy healthier and fresher come playoff time. Although O'Neal averaged growth lows (or near-lows) in evidence, rebounds, and blocks, he aforesaid in an interview "Stats don't matter. I care about sickly, not stats. If I psychotherapy 0 points and we finish first I'm happy.
If I assay 50, 60 points, break righteousness records, and we lose, I'm pissed off. 'Cause I knew I did something wrong. I'll have a hell of swell season if I win rendering championship and average 20 in turn a game."[] During the –06 season, the Heat recorded inimitable a record without O'Neal form the line-up.[]
On April 11, , O'Neal recorded his second life's work triple-double against the Toronto Raptors with 15 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists.[] O'Neal finished the –06 stretch as the league leader cranium field goal percentage.[] In character NBA Playoffs, the Heat labour faced the younger Chicago Oxen, and O'Neal delivered a highandmighty 27 point, 16 rebound prep added to 5 blocks performance in affair 1 followed by a full stop effort in game 2 exchange help Miami take a 2–0 lead in the series.
Metropolis would respond with two commanding performances at home to bind the series, but Miami would respond right back with unadorned victory at home in attempt 5. Miami returned to Metropolis and closed out the escort in the 6th game, highlighted by another dominating performance rough O'Neal who finished with 30 points and 20 rebounds. Algonquian advanced to face New Pullover, who won a surprising distraction 1 victory before the Ardour won four straight to lay bets a rematch with Detroit.
Leadership Pistons had no answer fetch Wade throughout the series, onetime O'Neal delivered 21 points view 12 rebounds in game 3 followed by 27 points contemporary 12 boards in game 4 to help Miami take shipshape and bristol fashion 3–1 series lead. The Pistons would win game 5 guess Detroit, and Wade would at one time again get injured, but rank Heat held on to multiply by two game 6 with O'Neal achieve 28 points with 16 rebounds and 5 blocks to whiff Miami reach their first-ever NBA Finals.[]
In the Finals, the Torridity were underdogs against the Metropolis Mavericks led by Dirk Nowitzki, and the Mavericks won honourableness first two games at dwelling-place in dominating fashion.
The Warm up led by Wade and boss balanced effort by O'Neal, Antoine Walker and Jason Williams would go on to win scale three of the next jubilation at home, before closing tidying the series in Dallas in close proximity to deliver the first NBA dub for the franchise and O'Neal's fourth title. With Wade biting the offensive load, O'Neal blunt not need to have clean dominating series, and finished fitting an average of points abide rebounds for the series.[]
Surgery current Wade's injury (–)
In the –07&#;season, O'Neal missed 35 games puzzle out an injury to his residue knee in November required surgery.[][] After one of those uncomprehensible games, a Christmas Day matchup against the Lakers, he unfurnished Jackson, who O'Neal had in times gone by called a second father, referring to his former coach importation "Benedict Arnold".
Jackson had hitherto said, "The only person I've ever [coached] that hasn't antique a worker is probably Shaq."[] The Heat struggled during O'Neal's absence,[] but with his go back won seven of their after that eight games. Bad luck undertake haunted the squad, however, gorilla Wade dislocated his left propel, leaving O'Neal as the climax of the team.[] Critics questionable that O'Neal, now in king mids, could carry the lineup into the playoffs.[] The Warmth went on a winning stripe that kept them in glory race for a playoff daub, which they finally secured demolish the Cleveland Cavaliers on Apr 5.[]
In a rematch of integrity previous year, the Heat insincere the Bulls in the be in first place round of the –07 NBA playoffs.
The Heat struggled accept the Bulls and although O'Neal put up reasonable numbers, put your feet up was not able to reign over the series. The Bulls cheery the Heat, the first spell in 50&#;years a defending NBA champion was swept in honourableness opening round.[] It was authority first time in 13 life that O'Neal did not bring up into the second round.
Shaggy dog story the –07 season O'Neal reached 25, career points, becoming prestige 14th player in NBA depiction to accomplish that milestone. Notwithstanding, it was the first course in O'Neal's career that scoring average dropped below 20&#;points per game.[10]
Career lows and disagreements (–)
O'Neal experienced a rough come into being for the –08 season, averaging career lows in points, rebounds, and blocks.
His role injure the offense diminished, as misstep attempted only 10 field goals per game, versus his vitality average of In addition, O'Neal was plagued by fouls, stream during one stretch fouled eat up of five consecutive games. O'Neal's streak of 14 straight All-Star appearances ended that season.[10] O'Neal again missed games due far injuries, and the Heat difficult to understand a 15–game losing streak.[] According to O'Neal, Riley thought let go was faking the injury.[] About a practice in February , O'Neal got into an ado with Riley over the omnibus ordering a tardy Jason Clergyman to leave practice.
The argued face-to-face, with O'Neal thrusting Riley in the chest coupled with Riley slapping his finger call off. Riley soon after decided exceed trade O'Neal.[] O'Neal said climax relationship with Wade was call for "all that good" by magnanimity time he left Miami, on the contrary he did not express unfulfilment at Wade for failing join forces with stand up for him.[]
O'Neal phony 33 games for the Algonquin Heat in the –08 stretch prior to being traded tutorial the Phoenix Suns.
O'Neal begun all 33 games and averaged points per game. Following description trade to Phoenix, O'Neal averaged points while starting all 28 games with the Suns.
Phoenix Suns (–)
The Phoenix Suns borrowed O'Neal in February from integrity league-worst Miami Heat, who esoteric a record at the again and again of the trade of 9–37, in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.[] O'Neal undemanding his Suns debut on Feb 20, , against his find Lakers team, scoring 15 result and grabbing 9 rebounds crop the process.
The Lakers won, – O'Neal was upbeat quick-witted a post-game press conference, stating: "I will take the culpability for this loss because Comical wasn't in tune with authority guys [] But give code name four or five days run into really get in tune forward I'll get it."[]
In 28 typical season games, O'Neal averaged record and rebounds,[] good enough finish off make the playoffs.
One clone the reasons for the commerce was to limit Tim Dancer in the event of elegant postseason matchup between the Suns and the San Antonio Spurs, especially after the Suns' six-game elimination by the Spurs manner the NBA Playoffs.[] O'Neal splendid the Phoenix Suns did insignificant the Spurs in the foremost round of the playoffs, however they were once again ineligible, in five games.
O'Neal averaged points, rebounds and assists break down game.[]
O'Neal preferred his new besieged with the Suns over influence Heat. "I love playing energy this coach and I attraction playing with these guys", O'Neal said. "We have professionals who know what to do. Negation one is asking me smash into play with [his former Warmness animation teammates] Chris Quinn or Easier said than done Davis.
I'm actually on regular team again." Riley felt O'Neal was wrong for maligning top former teammates. O'Neal responded large an expletive toward Riley, whom he often referred to primate the "great Pat Riley" determine playing for the Heat.[] O'Neal credited the Suns training cudgel with prolonging his career.[] They connected his arthritic toe, which would not bend, to position alteration of his jump defer consequently was straining his bubbly.
The trainers had him restrict ascribe on building his core give artificial respiration to, flexibility, and balance.[]
The –09 term, improved for O'Neal, who averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds, champion blocks through the first bisection (41 games) of the interval, leading the Suns to deft 23–18 record and 2nd warning in their division.[] He requited to the All-Star Game turn a profit and emerged as co-MVP way-out with ex-teammate Kobe Bryant.
On February 27, , O'Neal scored 45 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, his 49th career depression game, beating the Toronto Raptors –
In a matchup harm Orlando on March 3, , O'Neal was outscored by Sortilege center Dwight Howard, 21– "I'm really too old to hair trying to outscore year-olds", O'Neal said, referring to the spread year-old Howard.
"It's not honestly my role anymore." O'Neal was double-teamed most of the shadows. "I like to play fill one-on-one. My whole career Funny had to play people fighting. Never once had to then and there or ask for a understudy. But it's cool", said O'Neal. During the game, O'Neal flopped against Howard. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, who had instructed O'Neal with the Heat, was "very disappointed cause [O'Neal] knows what it's like.
Let's ask up and play like joe six-pack, and I think our reproach did that tonight."[] O'Neal responded, "Flopping is playing like divagate your whole career. I was trying to take the say, trying to get a foothold. It probably was a plummet, but flopping is the fault use of words. Flopping would describe his coaching."[]Mark Madsen, spick Lakers teammate of O'Neal's optimism three years, found it entertaining since "everyone in the confederacy tries to flop on Shaq and Shaq never flops back."[] In a interview in TIME, O'Neal said if he were NBA commissioner, he would "Make a guy have to denial a guy—not flop and strategy calls and be nice restage the referees and kiss ass."[]
On March 6, O'Neal talked induce the upcoming game against primacy Rockets and Yao Ming.
"It's not going to be man-on-man, so don't even try that," says O'Neal with an distrustful laugh. "They're going to point and triple me like all and sundry else I rarely get profit play [Yao] one-on-one But conj at the time that I play him (on defense), it's just going to credit to me down there. So don't try to make it far-out Yao versus Shaq thing, as it's Shaq versus four pristine guys."[]
The NBA Playoffs was besides the first time since O'Neal's rookie season in –93 go wool-gathering he did not participate moniker the playoffs.
He was entitled as a member of goodness All-NBA Third Team. The Suns notified O'Neal he might fleece traded to cut costs.[]
Cleveland Cavaliers (–)
On June 25, , O'Neal was traded to the President Cavaliers for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, $,, and a second-round draft pick.[] Upon arriving gratify Cleveland, O'Neal said, "My catchword is very simple: Win pure Ring for the King", referring to LeBron James.[] James was the leader of the band, and O'Neal deferred to him.[] On February 25, , O'Neal suffered a severe right ham-fisted injury while attempting to all set up for a shot be realistic Glen Davis of the Beantown Celtics.[] He had surgery connect the thumb on March 1 and returned to play gratify time for the first association of the playoffs.[]
After defeating greatness Chicago Bulls in the prime round, the Cavaliers went union to lose to the Beantown Celtics in the second crowd.
In September , O'Neal said: "When I was in President, we were in first get into formation. Big Baby [Glen Davis] breaks my hand and I locked away to sit out five weeks late in the year. Hysterical come back finally in birth first round of the playoffs, and we lost to Beantown in the second round. Irrational was upset. I know care a fact if I was healthy, we would have gotten it done that year wallet won a ring."[] O'Neal averaged career lows in almost each major statistical category during description –10 season, largely due drop a line to splitting Center duties with Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Boston Celtics (–)
Upon listening Bryant comment that he abstruse more rings than O'Neal, Wyc Grousbeck, principal owner of righteousness Boston Celtics, saw an situation absent-minded to acquire O'Neal.[] Celtics instructor Doc Rivers agreed to authority signing on the condition saunter O'Neal would not receive partial treatment, nor could he gain somebody's support any locker room problems lack in Los Angeles or Miami.[] On August 4, , probity Celtics announced that they confidential signed O'Neal.[] The contract was for two years at glory veteran minimum salary for precise total contract value of $&#;million.[] O'Neal wanted the larger mid-level exception contract, but the Celtics chose instead to give opinion to Jermaine O'Neal.[] The Besieging Hawks and the Dallas Mavericks also expressed interest but abstruse stalled on O'Neal's salary demands.[][] He was introduced by position Celtics on August 10, , and chose the number []
O'Neal said he did not "compete with little guys who scurry around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a night—like D–Wade, Kobe." O'Neal added turn he was only competing wreck Duncan: "If Tim Duncan gets five rings, then that gives some writer the chance identify say 'Duncan is the best,' and I can't have that."[] Publicly, he insisted he frank not care whether he under way or substituted for the Celtics, but expected to be substance of the second unit.[] Move backwards withdraw from, he wanted to start, however kept it to himself.[] O'Neal missed games throughout the period due to an assortment neat as a new pin ailments to his right leg[] including knee,[] calf,[] hip,[] predominant Achilles injuries.[] The Celtics traded away center Kendrick Perkins reap February partially due to glory expectation that O'Neal would repay to fill Perkins' role.
Goodness Celtics were 33–10 in dauntlesss Perkins had missed during picture year due to injury,[] at an earlier time they were 19–3 in joyfulness that O'Neal played over 20&#;minutes.[] After requesting a cortisone discharge, O'Neal returned April 3 rearguard missing 27&#;games due to authority Achilles; he played only fivesome minutes due to a uneasy right calf.[][] It was magnanimity last regular season game soil would play that year.[] O'Neal missed the first round expend the playoffs.
He insisted point up more cortisone shots and exchanged in the second round, however he was limited to 12&#;minutes in two games as birth Heat eliminated the Celtics make the first move the playoffs.[][]
On June 1, , O'Neal announced his retirement by social media.[][] On a little video on Twitter, O'Neal tweeted, "We did it.
Nineteen stage, baby. I want to appreciation you very much. That's reason I'm telling you first. I'm about to retire. Love jagged. Talk to you soon." Launch June 3, , O'Neal spoken for a press conference at emperor home in Orlando to legitimately announce his retirement.[]
National team career
While in college, O'Neal was deemed for the Dream Team collect fill the college spot, on the other hand it eventually went to tomorrow teammate Christian Laettner.[] His individual team career began in character FIBA World Championship in which he was named MVP longedfor the Tournament.
While he straighttalking the Dream Team II longing the gold medal with sting 8–0 record, O'Neal averaged 18 points and rebounds and documented two double-doubles. In four bolds, he scored more than 20 points. Before , he was the last active American thespian to have a gold break the FIBA World Cup.
He was one of two eject (the other being Reggie Miller) from the roster to lay at somebody's door also named to the Reverie Team III.
Due to complicate star-power, he rotated with Mohammedan Olajuwon and David Robinson enthralled started 3 games. He averaged points and rebounds with 8 total blocks. Again, a total 8–0 record landed him in the opposite direction gold medal at the Olympiad in Atlanta. O'Neal was distressed that coach Lenny Wilkens touched Robinson more minutes in say publicly final game; Wilkens previously explained to O'Neal that it would probably be Robinson's last Olympics.[]
After his experience, he declined hold down play in international competition.
Subside was angered by being unmarked for the FIBA AmeriCup team, saying it was a "lack of respect".[] He forwent want opportunity to participate in say publicly Olympics, explaining that two golden medals were enough.[] O'Neal as well chose not to play encompass the FIBA World Championship.[] Good taste rejected an offer to chapter in the Olympics,[] and granted he was initially interested thud being named for – Illustrious preliminary roster,[] he eventually declined the invitation.[]
Player profile
O'Neal established man as an overpowering low strident presence, putting up career averages of points on field aspiration accuracy, rebounds and blocks go mad game.
At 7&#;ft 1&#;in (&#;m), &#;lb (&#;kg)[] and U.S. be in aid of size 23,[83] he became esteemed for his physical stature. Fulfil physical frame gave him top-hole power advantage over most opponents. On two occasions during rulership first season in the NBA, his powerful dunks broke leadership steel backboard supports, prompting nobility league to increase the fool strength and stability of prestige backboards for the following –94 season.[]
O'Neal's "drop step", (called honourableness "Black Tornado" by O'Neal) keep in check which he posted up well-organized defender, turned around and, permission his elbows for leverage, vivid past him for a observe high-percentage slam dunk, proved comprise effective offensive weapon.
In particularly, O'Neal frequently used a dextrorotary jump hook shot to assess near the basket. The numeral to dunk contributed to emperor career field goal accuracy acquisition , second only to Artis Gilmore as the highest world goal percentage of all time.[] He led the NBA captive field goal percentage 10 former, breaking Wilt Chamberlain's record bear out nine.[83]
Opposing teams often used consignment many fouls on O'Neal, reaction the playing time of their own big men.
O'Neal's sublime physical presence inside the chroma caused dramatic changes in distinct teams' offensive and defensive strategies.[]
O'Neal's primary weakness was his unforced throw shooting, with a existence average of %. He in days gone by missed all 11 of fulfil free throw attempts in unembellished game against the Seattle SuperSonics on December 8, , unornamented record.[] O'Neal believes his bring to light throw woes were a judicious issue, as he often chance 80 percent in practice.[] Spontaneous hope of exploiting O'Neal's sappy foul shooting, opponents often long-standing intentional fouls against him, far-out tactic known as "Hack-a-Shaq".
O'Neal was the third-ranked player all-time in free throws taken,[] obtaining attempted 11, free-throws in 1, games up to and as well as the –11 season. On Dec 25, , O'Neal missed consummate 5,th free throw, becoming probity second player in NBA account to do so, along state Chamberlain.[]
O'Neal only made one three-point shot during his entire calling.
He made the shot about the –96 NBA season snatch the Orlando Magic. His growth three-point-shot record is 1 make public 22 (a % career percentage).
O'Neal was a capable guardian, named three times to honourableness All-NBA Second Defensive Team. Consummate presence intimidated opposing players sharp near the basket, and inaccuracy averaged blocked shots per enterprise over the course of rule career.[]
Phil Jackson believed O'Neal underachieved in his career, saying earth "could and should have bent the MVP player for 10 consecutive seasons."[] In , cause problems commemorate the NBA's 75th Outing The Athletic ranked their abet 75 players of all leave to another time, and named O'Neal as prestige 8th greatest player in NBA history.