As the Miami Heat are on the hunt for the second NBA Championship, the big man who helped them secure their first has announced his retirement from professional basketball. After 19 seasons in the NBA, four championships rings, 15 trips to the All-Star Game, an MVP award and six teams, Shaquille O'Neal has decided to hang it up.
Shaq announced his decision to hang up his high tops in an online video linked on his Twitter. The 7'1 center played his last game with the Boston Celtics in the second-round playoff match against the Miami Heat, the last team he won the championship with.
While Shaq first made his mark in the league with the Orlando Magic, and cemented his legacy with the Los Angeles Lakers, it was his time with the Miami Heat that we'll remember most.
The Heat acquired O'Neal from LA in 2004, and the big man came with the intention of helping Dwyane Wade and the Heat win the big one.
"I'm going to bring a championship to Miami. I promise," Shaq said during his introduction to Miami fans.
Two years later Wade with help from O'Neal during key games did just that, and Miami beat the Dallas Mavericks to secure its first championship.
Shaq was eventually traded to the Phoenix Suns during the 2008 season and has been a journeyman ever since, putting in stints in Cleveland with LeBron and with the Boston Celtics.
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