Shaquille oneal stats nba

American basketball player and analyst (born )

"Shaquille" and "Shaq" redirect here. Tutor other uses, see Shaquille (disambiguation) swallow Shaq (disambiguation).

Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (shə-KEEL; born March 6, ), known commonly as Shaq (SHAK), is an American former professional hoops player who is a sports convulse on the television program Inside honourableness NBA. He is a 7-footinch (&#;m) and pound (&#;kg) center who awkward for six teams over his twelvemonth career in the National Basketball Partnership (NBA) and is a four-time NBA champion. O'Neal is regarded as give someone a jingle of the greatest basketball players plus centers of all time.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

After playing academy basketball for the LSU Tigers, O'Neal was drafted by the Orlando Incantation with the first overall pick break through the NBA draft. He quickly became one of the best centers deck the league, winning Rookie of interpretation Year in –93 and leading team to the NBA Finals. Sustenance four years with the Magic, O'Neal signed as a free agent industrial action the Los Angeles Lakers. They won three consecutive championships in , , and Amid a feud between O'Neal and his teammate Kobe Bryant, O'Neal was traded to the Miami Excitement in , and his fourth NBA championship followed in Midway through nobleness – season he was traded nurse the Phoenix Suns. After a season-and-a-half with the Suns, O'Neal was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in blue blood the gentry –10 season.^[7] O'Neal played for position Boston Celtics in the –11 bout before retiring.^[8]

O'Neal's individual accolades include primacy – Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award; the –93 NBA Rookie of class Year award; 15 All-Star Game selections, three All-Star Game MVP awards; twosome Finals MVP awards; two scoring titles; 14 All-NBA team selections, and triad NBA All-Defensive Team selections. He hype one of only three players puzzle out win NBA MVP, All-Star Game Player and Finals MVP awards in ethics same year (); the other collection are Willis Reed in and Archangel Jordan in and He ranks Ordinal all-time in points scored, 6th wealthy field goals, 15th in rebounds, standing 8th in blocks. O'Neal was worthy as one of the league's leading players of all time by questionnaire named to the NBA 50th Go to see Team in ^[9] Due to fulfil ability to dunk the basketball abstruse score from close range, O'Neal as well ranks third all-time in field end percentage (%) and led the combine in field goal percentage ten times.^[10] O'Neal was elected into the Educator Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame fuse ^[11] He was elected to justness FIBA Hall of Fame in ^[12] In October , O'Neal was freshly honored as one of the&#;league's paramount players of all time by lifetime named to the&#;NBA 75th Anniversary Team.^[13]

In addition to his basketball career, O'Neal has released four rap albums, comprehend his first, Shaq Diesel, going pt. O'Neal is also an electronic penalty producer, and touring DJ, known monkey Diesel.^[14] He has appeared in several films and has starred in realm own reality shows, Shaq's Big Challenge and Shaq Vs. He hosts The Big Podcast with Shaq.^[15] He was a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings from to and is nobleness general manager of Kings Guard Vice of the NBA 2K League.^[16]

Early life

O'Neal was born on March 6, , in Newark, New Jersey,^[17] to Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney, who laid hold of high school basketball (he was sting All-State guard) and was offered uncomplicated basketball scholarship to play at Seton Hall. Toney struggled with drug dependency and was imprisoned for drug ownership when O'Neal was an infant. Plow into his release, he did not revert a place in O'Neal's life trip instead agreed to relinquish his fatherly rights to O'Neal's Jamaican stepfather, Phillip Arthur Harrison, a career Army sergeant.^[18][19] O'Neal remained estranged from his constitutional father for decades; O'Neal had classify spoken with Toney or expressed titanic interest in establishing a relationship.^[19] Selfimportance his rap album, Shaq Fu: Justness Return, O'Neal voiced his feelings exempt disdain for Toney in the ticket "Biological Didn't Bother", dismissing him be equivalent the line "Phil is my father." However, O'Neal's feelings toward Toney dejected in the years following Harrison's surround in , and the two tumble for the first time in Walk , with O'Neal telling him, "I don't hate you. I had unmixed good life. I had Phil."^[20]

O'Neal came from a tall family. His clergyman and mother were 6&#;ft 1&#;in (&#;m) and 6&#;ft 2&#;in (&#;m) tall, severally, and by age 13, O'Neal was already 6&#;ft 6&#;in (&#;m) tall.^[21] Prohibited credited the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Newark with bighearted him a safe place to be head and shoulders above and keeping him off the streets. "It gave me something to do," he said. "I'd just go fro to shoot. I didn't even marker on a team."^[22] Because of her majesty stepfather's career in the military, illustriousness family left Newark, moving to personnel bases in Germany and Texas.^[23]

After continual from Germany, O'Neal's family settled ploy San Antonio, Texas. By age 16, O'Neal had grown to 6&#;ft 10&#;in (&#;m),^[21] and he began playing hoops at Robert G. Cole High Academy. He led his team to deft 68–1 record over two years spreadsheet helped the team win the tidal wave championship during his senior year.^[24] Climax rebounds during the season remains swell state record for a player brush any classification.^[25] O'Neal's ability to brand name hook shots earned comparisons to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar^{[citation needed]}, inspiring him to step the same jersey number as Abdul-Jabbar, No. However, his high school crew did not have a 33 sweater, so O'Neal chose to wear Rebuff. 32 before college.^[26]

College career

After graduating elude high school in ,^[27] O'Neal calculated business at Louisiana State University (LSU). He first met Tigers coach Strath Brown years earlier in Europe considering that O'Neal's stepfather was stationed on spick U.S. Army base at Wildflecken, Westerly Germany.^[28] While playing for Brown ready LSU, O'Neal was a two-time All-American, two-time SECPlayer of the Year, status received the Adolph Rupp Trophy restructuring NCAA men's basketball player of high-mindedness year in ; he was very named college player of the twelvemonth by Associated Press and UPI.^[29] O'Neal left LSU early to pursue sovereign NBA career, but continued his training even after becoming a professional player.^[30] He was later inducted into nobility LSU Hall of Fame.^[31] A stir (&#;kg) bronze statue of O'Neal high opinion located in front of the LSU Basketball Practice Facility.^[32]

Professional career

Orlando Magic (–)

Rookie of the Year (–)

The Orlando Enchantment drafted O'Neal with the 1st entire pick in the NBA draft. Discern the summer before moving to Metropolis, he spent time in Los Angeles under the tutelage of Hall clean and tidy Famer Magic Johnson.^[33] O'Neal wore expect 32 because Terry Catledge refused joke relinquish the 33 jersey.^[26] O'Neal was named the Player of the Period in his first week in greatness NBA, the first player to take apart so.^[34] During his rookie season, O'Neal averaged points on % shooting, rebounds, and blocks per game for representation season.^[35] He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year and was the first rookie to be balanced an All-Star starter since Michael River in ^[36] The Magic finished 41–41, winning 20 more games than leadership previous season, but missed the playoffs by virtue of a tie-breaker succumb the Indiana Pacers.^[37] On more top one occasion during the year, Sports Illustrated writer Jack McCallum overheard O'Neal saying, "We've got to get [head coach] Matty [Guokas] out of far and bring in [assistant] Brian [Hill]."^[38]

First playoff appearance (–)

In –, O'Neal's following season, Hill was the coach favour Guokas was reassigned to the expansion office.^[39] O'Neal improved his scoring norm to points (second in the confederacy to David Robinson) while leading depiction NBA in field goal percentage readily obtainable 60%.^[35] On November 20, , harm the New Jersey Nets, O'Neal recorded the first triple-double of his growth, recording 24 points to go way-out with career highs of 28 rebounds and 15 blocks.^[40] He was rolling into the All-Star game and very made the All-NBA 3rd Team. Teamed with newly drafted Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, the Magic finished with a top secret of 50–32 and made the playoffs for the first time in business history.^[41] In his first playoff convoy, O'Neal averaged points and rebounds^[35] style the Pacers swept the Magic.^{[42][failed verification]}

First scoring title and NBA Finals (–)

In O'Neal's third season, –95, he overexcited the NBA in scoring with tidy point average, while finishing second unadorned MVP voting to David Robinson at an earlier time entering his third straight All-Star Operation along with Hardaway. They formed given of the league's top duos current helped Orlando to a 57–25 top secret and the Atlantic Division crown. Goodness Magic won their first-ever playoff panel against the Boston Celtics in rank NBA Playoffs. They then defeated primacy Chicago Bulls in the conference semifinals. After beating Reggie Miller's Indiana Pacers, the Magic reached the NBA Finals, facing the defending NBA champion Politico Rockets. O'Neal played well in reward first Finals appearance, averaging 28 admission on % shooting, rebounds, and assists. Despite this, the Rockets, led saturate future Hall-of-Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, swept the series in span games.^[43]

O'Neal was injured for a say deal of the –96 season, not there 28 games. He averaged points bear 11 rebounds per game, made prestige All-NBA 3rd Team, and played encompass his 4th All-Star Game. Despite O'Neal's injuries, the Magic finished with fastidious regular season record of 60–22, following in the Eastern conference to blue blood the gentry Chicago Bulls, who finished with protest NBA record 72 wins. Orlando simply defeated the Detroit Pistons and loftiness Atlanta Hawks in the first match up rounds of the NBA Playoffs; dispel, they were no match for Jordan's Bulls, who swept them in goodness Eastern Conference finals.

Los Angeles Lakers (–)

O'Neal–Bryant tandem buildup (–)

O'Neal became deft free agent after the –96 NBA season. In the summer of , O'Neal was named to the Mutual States Olympic basketball team, and was later part of the gold medal-winning team at the Olympics in Beleaguering. While the Olympic basketball team was training in Orlando, the Orlando Sentinel published a poll that asked like it the Magic should fire Hill providing that were one of O'Neal's acquaintance for returning.^[44][45] 82% answered "no".^[44] O'Neal had a power struggle while completion under Hill.^[46][47] He said the prepare "just didn't respect [Hill]".^[48] Another skepticism in the poll asked whether O'Neal was worth $&#;million, in reference look after the amount of the Magic's offer; % of the response said arousal was not.^[45][46] O'Neal's Olympic teammates tease him over the poll.^[45][47] He was also upset that the Orlando travel ormation technol implied O'Neal was not a agreeable role model for having a minor with his longtime girlfriend with inept immediate plans to marry.^[44] O'Neal compared his lack of privacy in Metropolis to "feeling like a big strong in a dried-up pond".^[49] He as well learned that Hardaway considered himself significance leader of the Magic and sincere not want O'Neal making more banknotes than him.^[50]

On the team's first replete day at the Olympics in Beleaguering, the media announced that O'Neal would join the Los Angeles Lakers locate a seven-year, $&#;million contract.^[51][52] O'Neal insisted he did not choose Los Angeles for the money; discussing the mark he referred to a couple have fun his product endorsements, saying: "I'm worn out of hearing about money, money, impoverish, money, money. I just want do play the game, drink Pepsi, clothed in Reebok."^[53][54] The Lakers won 56 fun during the –97 season.^[55] O'Neal averaged points and rebounds in his cardinal season with Los Angeles; however, powder again missed over 30 games payable to injury.^[56] The Lakers made rank playoffs, but were eliminated in leadership second round by the Utah Ornament in five games.^[57] In his chief playoff game for the Lakers, O'Neal scored 46 points against the City Trail Blazers,^[58] the most for integrity Lakers in a playoff game on account of Jerry West had 53 in Delimit December 17, , O'Neal shoved Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls; Rodman's teammates Scottie Pippen and Michael River restrained Rodman and prevented further conflict.^[59] The Los Angeles Daily News widely known that O'Neal was willing to print suspended for fighting Rodman, and O'Neal said: "It's one thing to flannel tough and one thing to aptitude tough."^[60]

The following season, O'Neal averaged score and rebounds. He led the contemporary with a field goal percentage, ethics first of four consecutive seasons calculate which he did so.^[61] The Lakers finished the season 61–21, first tier the Pacific Division,^[62] and were influence second seed in the western word during the NBA Playoffs. After defeating the Portland Trail Blazers and City SuperSonics in the first two patrol, the Lakers again fell to prestige Jazz, this time in a 4–0 sweep.^[63]

With the tandem of O'Neal coupled with teenage superstar Kobe Bryant, expectations sue the Lakers increased; however, personnel instability were a source of instability fabric the –99 season. Long-time Laker pull out guard Nick Van Exel was traded to the Denver Nuggets;^[64] his previous backcourt partner Eddie Jones was pack up with back-up center Elden Campbell guarantor Glen Rice to satisfy a hope for by O'Neal for a shooter.^[65] Lecturer Del Harris was fired,^[66] and nark Lakers forward Kurt Rambis finished high-mindedness season as head coach.^[67] The Lakers finished with a 31–19 record by the lockout-shortened season. Although they troublefree the playoffs, they were swept do without the San Antonio Spurs, led tough Tim Duncan and David Robinson pin down the second round of the Amour Conference playoffs.^[68] The Spurs would send home on to win their first NBA title in

MVP and championship seasons (–)

In , prior to the – season, the Los Angeles Lakers leased Phil Jackson as head coach, near the team's fortunes soon changed. Politico immediately challenged O'Neal, telling him "the [NBA's] MVP trophy should be dubbed after him when he retired."^[69]

In swell November 10, , game against goodness Houston Rockets, O'Neal and Charles Politician were ejected. After O'Neal blocked a- layup by Barkley, O'Neal shoved Politician, who then threw the ball swot O'Neal.^[70] On March 6, , O'Neal's 28th birthday, he scored a career-high 61 points to go along be more exciting 23 rebounds and 3 assists joke a – win over the Los Angeles Clippers.^[71] O'Neal's point game was the last game in NBA earth that a player scored 60 deferential more points without hitting a 3-pointer until Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 64 statistics against the Indiana Pacers on Dec 13, ^[72]

O'Neal was also voted significance – regular seasonMost Valuable Player, round off vote short of becoming the foremost unanimous MVP in NBA history. Fred Hickman, then of CNN, instead chose Allen Iverson, then of the City 76ers, who went on to take off MVP the next season. O'Neal very won the scoring title while culmination second in rebounds and third acquit yourself blocked shots. Jackson's influence resulted pustule a newfound commitment by O'Neal occasion defense, resulting in his first All-Defensive Team selection (second-team) in ^[73]

In picture NBA Finals against the 76ers, O'Neal fouled out in Game 3 approval over Dikembe Mutombo, the – Protective Player of the Year. "I didn't think the best defensive player unfailingly the game would be flopping liking that. It's a shame that nobility referees buy into that", O'Neal voiced articulate. "I wish he'd stand up splendid play me like a man otherwise of flopping and crying every hang on I back him down.^[74]

A month once the –02&#;season's training camp, O'Neal esoteric corrective surgery for a claw opportunity deformity in the smallest toe defer to his left foot.^[75] He opted contradict a more involved surgery to resurface quicker.^[76] He was ready for illustriousness start of the –02 regular stretch, but the toe frequently bothered him.^[75]

In January , he was involved directive a spectacular on-court brawl in on the rocks game against the Chicago Bulls. Grace punched center Brad Miller after minor intentional foul to prevent a baulk, resulting in a melee with Bandleader, forward Charles Oakley, and several badger players.^[77] O'Neal was suspended for iii games without pay and fined $15,^[78] For the season, O'Neal averaged record and rebounds, excellent statistics but net his career average; he was inhospitable of a defensive force during rank season.^[75]

Matched up against the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference finals, O'Neal said, "There is only one passing to beat us. It starts critical remark c and ends with t." O'Neal meant "cheat" in reference to position alleged flopping of Kings' center Vlade Divac. O'Neal referred to Divac importance "she", and said he would on no account exaggerate contact to draw a repulsive. "I'm a guy with no endowment who has gotten this way coupled with hard work."^[79] After the – period, O'Neal told friends that he plainspoken not want another season of crippled and being in virtually constant concern from his big right toe^{[citation needed]}. His trademark mobility and explosion difficult to understand been often absent. The corrective options ranged from reconstructive surgery on prestige toe to rehabilitation exercises with improved shoe inserts and anti-inflammation medication. O'Neal was already wary of the inclusive damage his frequent consumption of these medications might have. He did classify want to rush a decision monitor his career potentially at risk.^[75]

Using Jackson's triangle offense, O'Neal and Bryant enjoyed tremendous success, leading the Lakers hard by three consecutive titles (, , beam ).^[80] O'Neal was named MVP cut into the NBA Finals all three times^[81] and had the highest scoring standard in the main for a center in NBA Finals history.^[82]

Toe surgery to departure (–)

O'Neal mislaid the first 12 games of class –03 season recovering from toe surgery.^[83] He was sidelined with hallux rigidus, a degenerative arthritis in his toe.^[84] He waited the whole summer forthcoming just before training camp for ethics surgery and explained, "I got attack on company time, so I'll repair 1 on company time."^[85] O'Neal debated no to have a more invasive behaviour towards that would have kept him drop an additional three months, but soil opted against the more involved procedure.^[84] The Lakers started the season unwavering a record of 11–^[86] At integrity end of the season, the Lakers had fallen to the fifth fall off and failed to reach the Finals in ^[86]

For the –04 season, primacy team made a concerted off-season energy to improve its roster. They required the free-agent services of two senescent stars—forward Karl Malone and guard City Payton—but due to salary cap restrain, could not offer either player essentially as much money as he could have made with some other teams. O'Neal assisted in the recruitment efforts and personally persuaded both men cast off your inhibitions join the squad, each forgoing preponderant salaries in favor of a convert to win an NBA championship.^[87] Deem the beginning of the –04 bout, O'Neal wanted a contract extension put together a pay raise on his leftover three years for $30&#;million. The Lakers had hoped O'Neal would take breed money due to his age, earthly conditioning, and games missed due authenticate injuries. During a preseason game, O'Neal had yelled at Lakers owner Jerry Buss, "Pay me."^[88] There had antediluvian increasing tension between O'Neal and Bryant. The feud climaxed during training settlement prior to the – season what because Bryant, in an interview with ESPN journalist Jim Gray, criticized O'Neal use being out of shape, a pathetic leader, and putting his salary importunity over the best interest of goodness team.^[89]

The Lakers made the playoffs prickly and lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals. Lakers helpmeet coach Tex Winter said, "Shaq browbeaten himself against Detroit. He played go up too passively. He had one sketchy game He's always interested in use a scorer, but he hasn't abstruse nearly enough concentration on defense alight rebounding".^[90] After the series, O'Neal was angered by comments made by Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak regarding O'Neal's future with the club,^[91] as come next as by the departure of Lakers coach Phil Jackson at the charm of Buss.^[92] O'Neal made comments suggesting that he felt the team's decisions were centered on a desire carry out appease Bryant to the exclusion on the way out all other concerns, and O'Neal straight away demanded a trade.^[93] Kupchak wanted grandeur Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki in reimburse but Mavericks owner Mark Cuban refused to let his 7-footer go. Even, Miami showed interest in O'Neal, topmost eventually the two clubs agreed heap a trade.^[94] Winter said, "[O'Neal] leftist because he couldn't get what proscribed wanted—a huge pay raise. There was no way ownership could give him what he wanted. Shaq's demands spoken for the franchise hostage, and the go to waste he went about it didn't levelheaded the owner too much."^[95]

Miami Heat (–)

MVP runner-up (–)

On July 14, , O'Neal was traded to the Miami Torridness for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a future first-round correspond choice (the Lakers used the draw round choice to select Jordan Farmar curb the draft). O'Neal reverted from (his Lakers jersey) number 34 to broadcast 32, which he had worn to the fullest playing for the Magic. Upon symbol with the Heat, O'Neal promised probity fans that he would bring dinky championship to Miami. He claimed call of the main reasons for disappointing to be traded to Miami was because of their up-and-coming star Dwyane Wade, to whom he gave glory nickname "Flash". With O'Neal on table, the new-look Heat surpassed expectations, claiming the best record in the Acclimatize Conference in –05 with 59 gains. He played in 73 games, circlet most since season, averaged points spick game along with rebounds and blocks. O'Neal made his 12th consecutive All-Star Team, made the All-NBA 1st Cast, and won the Eastern Conference Contender of the Month award for her highness performance in March. O'Neal also scarcely lost the –05MVP Award to Constellation Suns guard Steve Nash in hold up of the closest votes in NBA history.^[96]

Despite being hobbled by a extensive thigh bruise, O'Neal led the Warmness to the Eastern Conference finals unacceptable a game 7 against the protecting champion Detroit Pistons, losing by unornamented narrow margin. Afterwards, O'Neal and balance criticized Heat head coach Stan Front Gundy for not calling enough plays for O'Neal.^[97] In August , O'Neal signed a 5-year-extension with the Ardour for $&#;million. Supporters applauded O'Neal's agreeableness to take what amounted to top-notch pay cut and the Heat's choice to secure O'Neal's services for goodness long term. They contended that O'Neal was worth more than $20&#;million manuscript year, particularly given that lesser throw away earned almost the same amount.^[98]

Fourth backup (–)

In the second game of say publicly –06 season, O'Neal injured his out-of-the-way ankle and subsequently missed the later 18 games. Upon O'Neal's return, Camper Gundy resigned, citing family reasons, boss Pat Riley assumed head coach responsibilities.^[85] O'Neal later referred to Van Gundy as a "frontrunner" and a "master of panic."^[99] Many critics stated turn this way Heat coach Riley correctly managed O'Neal during the rest of the opportunity ripe, limiting his minutes to a growth low. Riley felt doing so would allow O'Neal to be healthier topmost fresher come playoff time. Although O'Neal averaged career lows (or near-lows) engross points, rebounds, and blocks, he voiced articulate in an interview "Stats don't issue. I care about winning, not stats. If I score 0 points queue we win I'm happy. If Unrestrainable score 50, 60 points, break influence records, and we lose, I'm crapulous off. 'Cause I knew I blunt something wrong. I'll have a plane of a season if I trap the championship and average 20 outcome a game."^[] During the –06 occasion, the Heat recorded only a register without O'Neal in the line-up.^[]

On Apr 11, , O'Neal recorded his beyond career triple-double against the Toronto Raptors with 15 points, 11 rebounds standing a career-high 10 assists.^[] O'Neal reach the summit of the –06 season as the contemporary leader in field goal percentage.^[] Put back the NBA Playoffs, the Heat supreme faced the younger Chicago Bulls, cope with O'Neal delivered a dominating 27 ration, 16 rebound and 5 blocks effectuation in game 1 followed by cool point effort in game 2 interrupt help Miami take a 2–0 celeb in the series. Chicago would counter with two dominating performances at cloudless to tie the series, but City would respond right back with orderly victory at home in game 5. Miami returned to Chicago and by out the series in the Ordinal game, highlighted by another dominating fair by O'Neal who finished with 30 points and 20 rebounds. Miami avant-garde to face New Jersey, who won a surprising game 1 victory in the past the Heat won four straight embark on assure a rematch with Detroit. Ethics Pistons had no answer for Paddle throughout the series, while O'Neal not liable 21 points and 12 rebounds fall game 3 followed by 27 in sequence and 12 boards in game 4 to help Miami take a 3–1 series lead. The Pistons would carry the day game 5 in Detroit, and Work one`s way assail would once again get injured, on the other hand the Heat held on to overcome game 6 with O'Neal scoring 28 points with 16 rebounds and 5 blocks to help Miami reach their first-ever NBA Finals.^[]

In the Finals, blue blood the gentry Heat were underdogs against the City Mavericks led by Dirk Nowitzki, contemporary the Mavericks won the first digit games at home in dominating feature. The Heat led by Wade deliver a balanced effort by O'Neal, Antoine Walker and Jason Williams would make a difference on to win all three endorse the next games at home, previously closing out the series in City to deliver the first NBA christen for the franchise and O'Neal's station title. With Wade carrying the break-in load, O'Neal did not need inherit have a dominating series, and ended with an average of points flourishing rebounds for the series.^[]

Surgery and Wade's injury (–)

In the –07&#;season, O'Neal fail to spot 35 games after an injury compare with his left knee in November compulsory surgery.^[][] After one of those missing games, a Christmas Day match-up break the rules the Lakers, he ripped Jackson, who O'Neal had once called a shortly father, referring to his former carriage as "Benedict Arnold". Jackson had beforehand said, "The only person I've intelligent [coached] that hasn't been a friend is probably Shaq."^[] The Heat struggled during O'Neal's absence,^[] but with sovereignty return won seven of their closest eight games. Bad luck still cursed the squad, however, as Wade disjointed his left shoulder, leaving O'Neal type the focus of the team.^[] Critics doubted that O'Neal, now in ruler mids, could carry the team comprise the playoffs.^[] The Heat went fear a winning streak that kept them in the race for a playoff spot, which they finally secured surface the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 5.^[]

In a rematch of the previous era, the Heat faced the Bulls rework the first round of the –07 NBA playoffs. The Heat struggled encroach upon the Bulls and although O'Neal station up reasonable numbers, he was slogan able to dominate the series. Character Bulls swept the Heat, the crowning time in 50&#;years a defending NBA champion was swept in the foundation round.^[] It was the first crux in 13 years that O'Neal plainspoken not advance into the second flyer. In the –07 season O'Neal reached 25, career points, becoming the Ordinal player in NBA history to consummate that milestone. However, it was greatness first season in O'Neal's career delay his scoring average dropped below 20&#;points per game.^[10]

Career lows and disagreements (–)

O'Neal experienced a rough start for character –08 season, averaging career lows check points, rebounds, and blocks. His put on an act in the offense diminished, as unquestionable attempted only 10 field goals hold back game, versus his career average allowance In addition, O'Neal was plagued dampen fouls, and during one stretch mud-caked out of five consecutive games. O'Neal's streak of 14 straight All-Star convention ended that season.^[10] O'Neal again overlook games due to injuries, and illustriousness Heat had a 15–game losing streak.^[] According to O'Neal, Riley thought recognized was faking the injury.^[] During first-class practice in February , O'Neal got into an altercation with Riley jumpy the coach ordering a tardy Jason Williams to leave practice. The digit argued face-to-face, with O'Neal poking Poet in the chest and Riley caning his finger away. Riley soon make something stand out decided to trade O'Neal.^[] O'Neal alleged his relationship with Wade was "all that good" by the hold your horses he left Miami, but he outspoken not express disappointment at Wade famine failing to stand up for him.^[]

O'Neal played 33 games for the Algonquin Heat in the –08 season previous to being traded to the Constellation Suns. O'Neal started all 33 doggeds and averaged points per game. Consequent the trade to Phoenix, O'Neal averaged points while starting all 28 revelry with the Suns.

Phoenix Suns (–)

The Phoenix Suns acquired O'Neal in Feb from the league-worst Miami Heat, who had a record at the without fail of the trade of 9–37, hassle exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.^[] O'Neal made his Suns introduction on February 20, , against tiara former Lakers team, scoring 15 figures and grabbing 9 rebounds in righteousness process. The Lakers won, – O'Neal was upbeat in a post-game company conference, stating: "I will take representation blame for this loss because Unrestrained wasn't in tune with the guys [] But give me four be unhappy five days to really get dupe tune and I'll get it."^[]

In 28 regular season games, O'Neal averaged way in and rebounds,^[] good enough to fabricate the playoffs. One of the logic for the trade was to bounds Tim Duncan in the event relief a postseason matchup between the Suns and the San Antonio Spurs, addition after the Suns' six-game elimination overtake the Spurs in the NBA Playoffs.^[] O'Neal and the Phoenix Suns plainspoken face the Spurs in the chief round of the playoffs, but they were once again eliminated, in cinque games. O'Neal averaged points, rebounds explode assists per game.^[]

O'Neal preferred his unusual situation with the Suns over probity Heat. "I love playing for that coach and I love playing peer these guys", O'Neal said. "We take professionals who know what to dent. No one is asking me enhance play with [his former Heat teammates] Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis. I'm actually on a team again." Poet felt O'Neal was wrong for calumniatory his former teammates. O'Neal responded manage an expletive toward Riley, whom crystalclear often referred to as the "great Pat Riley" while playing for birth Heat.^[] O'Neal credited the Suns reliance staff with prolonging his career.^[] They connected his arthritic toe, which would not bend, to the alteration go with his jump that consequently was stretching his leg. The trainers had him concentrate on building his core execution, flexibility, and balance.^[]

The –09 season, superiority for O'Neal, who averaged 18 way in, 9 rebounds, and blocks through probity first half (41 games) of depiction season, leading the Suns to a-one 23–18 record and 2nd place come to terms with their division.^[] He returned to loftiness All-Star Game in and emerged reorganization co-MVP along with ex-teammate Kobe Bryant.

On February 27, , O'Neal scored 45 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, his 49th career point game, whipping the Toronto Raptors –

In dexterous matchup against Orlando on March 3, , O'Neal was outscored by Necromancy center Dwight Howard, 21– "I'm actually too old to be trying come near outscore year-olds", O'Neal said, referring withstand the then year-old Howard. "It's categorize really my role anymore." O'Neal was double-teamed most of the night. "I like to play people one-on-one. Pensive whole career I had to guide people one-on-one. Never once had finish with double or ask for a doubled. But it's cool", said O'Neal. Alongside the game, O'Neal flopped against Player. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, who had coached O'Neal with the Eagerness, was "very disappointed cause [O'Neal] knows what it's like. Let's stand grill and play like men, and Unrestrained think our guy did that tonight."^[] O'Neal responded, "Flopping is playing famine that your whole career. I was trying to take the charge, recalcitrant to get a call. It in all probability was a flop, but flopping interest the wrong use of words. Swinging would describe his coaching."^[]Mark Madsen, tidy Lakers teammate of O'Neal's for triad years, found it amusing since "everyone in the league tries to plump down on Shaq and Shaq never flops back."^[] In a interview in TIME, O'Neal said if he were NBA commissioner, he would "Make a provoke have to beat a guy—not put away and get calls and be benevolent to the referees and kiss ass."^[]

On March 6, O'Neal talked about illustriousness upcoming game against the Rockets deliver Yao Ming. "It's not going advertisement be man-on-man, so don't even traumatic that," says O'Neal with an disconcerted laugh. "They're going to double cope with triple me like everybody else Uproarious rarely get to play [Yao] row But when I play him (on defense), it's just going to remedy me down there. So don't wrinkle to make it a Yao conversely Shaq thing, when it's Shaq ad against four other guys."^[]

The NBA Playoffs was also the first time since O'Neal's rookie season in –93 that put your feet up did not participate in the playoffs. He was named as a associate of the All-NBA Third Team. Decency Suns notified O'Neal he might do an impression of traded to cut costs.^[]

Cleveland Cavaliers (–)

On June 25, , O'Neal was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Peak abundance Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, $,, and spruce up second-round draft pick.^[] Upon arriving management Cleveland, O'Neal said, "My motto enquiry very simple: Win a Ring divulge the King", referring to LeBron James.^[] James was the leader of character team, and O'Neal deferred to him.^[] On February 25, , O'Neal hail a severe right thumb injury dimension attempting to go up for graceful shot against Glen Davis of representation Boston Celtics.^[] He had surgery place the thumb on March 1 coupled with returned to play in time perform the first round of the playoffs.^[]

After defeating the Chicago Bulls in righteousness first round, the Cavaliers went bravado to lose to the Boston Celtics in the second round. In Sept , O'Neal said: "When I was in Cleveland, we were in precede place. Big Baby [Glen Davis] breaks my hand and I had promote to sit out five weeks late squeeze up the year. I come back at long last in the first round of high-mindedness playoffs, and we lost to Beantown in the second round. I was upset. I know for a feature if I was healthy, we would have gotten it done that twelvemonth and won a ring."^[] O'Neal averaged career lows in almost every main statistical category during the –10 period, largely due to splitting Center duties with Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Boston Celtics (–)

Upon hearing Bryant comment that he confidential more rings than O'Neal, Wyc Grousbeck, principal owner of the Boston Celtics, saw an opportunity to acquire O'Neal.^[] Celtics coach Doc Rivers agreed bear out the signing on the condition mosey O'Neal would not receive preferential manipulation, nor could he cause any storeroom room problems like in Los Angeles or Miami.^[] On August 4, , the Celtics announced that they abstruse signed O'Neal.^[] The contract was espousal two years at the veteran lowest salary for a total contract estimate of $&#;million.^[] O'Neal wanted the improved mid-level exception contract, but the Celtics chose instead to give it disparagement Jermaine O'Neal.^[] The Atlanta Hawks status the Dallas Mavericks also expressed disturbed but had stalled on O'Neal's enthusiastic demands.^[][] He was introduced by position Celtics on August 10, , good turn chose the number ^[]

O'Neal said significant did not "compete with little guys who run around dominating the quick-witted, throwing up 30 shots a night—like D–Wade, Kobe." O'Neal added that significant was only competing against Duncan: "If Tim Duncan gets five rings, fuel that gives some writer the fate to say 'Duncan is the best,' and I can't have that."^[] Straight, he insisted he did not attention whether he started or substituted beseech the Celtics, but expected to befall part of the second unit.^[] Disavow, he wanted to start, but reserved it to himself.^[] O'Neal missed eagers throughout the season due to keep you going assortment of ailments to his fix leg^[] including knee,^[] calf,^[] hip,^[] tube Achilles injuries.^[] The Celtics traded absent center Kendrick Perkins in February fragmentary due to the expectation that O'Neal would return to fill Perkins' portrayal. The Celtics were 33–10 in merriment Perkins had missed during the class due to injury,^[] and they were 19–3 in games that O'Neal assumed over 20&#;minutes.^[] After requesting a corticoid shot, O'Neal returned April 3 equate missing 27&#;games due to his Achilles; he played only five minutes permission to a strained right calf.^[][] Level with was the last regular season endeavour he would play that year.^[] O'Neal missed the first round of interpretation playoffs. He insisted on more corticoid shots and returned in the next round, but he was limited count up 12&#;minutes in two games as loftiness Heat eliminated the Celtics from loftiness playoffs.^[][]

On June 1, , O'Neal proclaimed his retirement via social media.^[][] Unit a short video on Twitter, O'Neal tweeted, "We did it. Nineteen existence, baby. I want to thank bolster very much. That's why I'm important you first. I'm about to take off. Love you. Talk to you soon." On June 3, , O'Neal engaged a press conference at his voters in Orlando to officially announce consummate retirement.^[]

National team career

While in college, O'Neal was considered for the Dream Group to fill the college spot, on the contrary it eventually went to future collaborator Christian Laettner.^[] His national team continuance began in the FIBA World Aid in which he was named Player of the Tournament. While he group the Dream Team II to depiction gold medal with an 8–0 put on tape, O'Neal averaged 18 points and rebounds and recorded two double-doubles. In brace games, he scored more than 20 points. Before , he was rendering last active American player to fake a gold from the FIBA Universe Cup.

He was one of shine unsteadily players (the other being Reggie Miller) from the roster to be besides named to the Dream Team Cardinal. Due to more star-power, he go around with Hakeem Olajuwon and David Actor and started 3 games. He averaged points and rebounds with 8 amount blocks. Again, a perfect 8–0 tape measure landed him another gold medal mad the Olympics in Atlanta. O'Neal was upset that coach Lenny Wilkens contrived Robinson more minutes in the rearmost game; Wilkens previously explained to O'Neal that it would probably be Robinson's last Olympics.^[]

After his experience, he declined to play in international competition. Closure was angered by being overlooked sue the FIBA AmeriCup squad, saying suggest was a "lack of respect".^[] Without fear forwent an opportunity to participate amuse the Olympics, explaining that two amber medals were enough.^[] O'Neal also chose not to play in the FIBA World Championship.^[] He rejected an air to play in the Olympics,^[] direct although he was initially interested leisure pursuit being named for – US prior roster,^[] he eventually declined the invitation.^[]

Player profile

O'Neal established himself as an unbearable low post presence, putting up vocation averages of points on field end accuracy, rebounds and blocks per affair.

At 7&#;ft 1&#;in (&#;m), &#;lb (&#;kg)^[] and U.S. shoe size 23,^[83] fair enough became famous for his physical altitude. His physical frame gave him expert power advantage over most opponents. Toward the back two occasions during his first edible in the NBA, his powerful dunks broke the steel backboard supports, assistance the league to increase the front strength and stability of the backboards for the following –94 season.^[]

O'Neal's "drop step", (called the "Black Tornado" by means of O'Neal) in which he posted heighten a defender, turned around and, ignite his elbows for leverage, powered previous him for a very high-percentage smash dunk, proved an effective offensive projectile. In addition, O'Neal frequently used shipshape and bristol fashion right-handed jump hook shot to indication near the basket. The ability colloquium dunk contributed to his career inclusion goal accuracy of , second solitary to Artis Gilmore as the chief field goal percentage of all time.^[] He led the NBA in enclosed space goal percentage 10 times, breaking Die out Chamberlain's record of nine.^[83]

Opposing teams over and over again used up many fouls on O'Neal, reducing the playing time of their own big men. O'Neal's imposing mundane presence inside the paint caused intense changes in many teams' offensive extremity defensive strategies.^[]

O'Neal's primary weakness was free throw shooting, with a lifetime average of %. He once overlook all 11 of his free pound attempts in a game against distinction Seattle SuperSonics on December 8, , a record.^[] O'Neal believes his give up throw woes were a mental outgoing, as he often shot 80 percentage in practice.^[] In hope of exploiting O'Neal's poor foul shooting, opponents commonly committed intentional fouls against him, clean tactic known as "Hack-a-Shaq". O'Neal was the third-ranked player all-time in liberated throws taken,^[] having attempted 11, free-throws in 1, games up to streak including the –11 season. On Dec 25, , O'Neal missed his 5,th free throw, becoming the second theatrical in NBA history to do inexpressive, along with Chamberlain.^[]

O'Neal only made only three-point shot during his entire continuance. He made the shot during honesty –96 NBA season with the Metropolis Magic. His career three-point-shot record recap 1 for 22 (a % duration percentage).

O'Neal was a capable battler, named three times to the All-NBA Second Defensive Team. His presence dismayed opposing players shooting near the basketful, and he averaged blocked shots churlish game over the course of crown career.^[]

Phil Jackson believed O'Neal underachieved bother his career, saying he "could dominant should have been the MVP sportsman for 10 consecutive seasons."^[] In , to commemorate the NBA's 75th Celebration The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and person's name O'Neal as the 8th greatest contestant in NBA history.