'Big AARP' officially retires: Shaquille O'Neal walked up the stairs to the makeshift stage in his home gymnasium, pulled out a few index cards with some notes and said the words he never thought were coming. Good-bye. O'Neal made his retirement official Friday, reiterating what he revealed in a video posted to Twitter two days earlier that his NBA playing days are over. Saying those words made his pro career full-circle, since it all ended at his home in a suburb of Orlando, the city where his pro days began when the Magic made him the No. 1 pick in 1992. "Never thought this day would come," O'Neal said. "Father Time has finally caught up with Shaquille O'Neal." He insisted he will not return, either, nor will he coach anyone but his three sons. His career ends with 28,596 points, 13,099 rebounds, 15 All-Star selections, four championships and three NBA Finals MVP awards. "I'm the luckiest guy in the world," O'Neal said. (Updated 06/03/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
O'Neal played 19 seasons with Orlando, the Lakers, Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland and Boston. He leaves behind an amazing legacy as one of the best centers in the game, and he was a tremendous Fantasy option for years. He also gave himself many nicknames -- Shaq-Fu, The Big Aristotle, Diesel and especially Superman, among others -- but henceforth, he said he'll call himself The Big AARP. We'll miss him in Fantasy leagues, but he should no longer be drafted since he's now officially retired. (Updated 06/03/2011).
06/16/2011 09:45 Beating victim claims O'Neal was behind attack
Members of a Los Angeles street gang are facing charges in the 2008 beating of a man who claimed he had a sex tape of Shaquille O'Neal and that the former NBA star was behind the attack.
06/03/2011 19:05 O'Neal departs NBA with plenty of options, advice
Four NBA championship rings. Three Finals MVP trophies, plus one for league MVP. Fifteen All-Star appearances while playing with six teams over 19 seasons. Ken Berger says Shaquille O'Neal has some wisdom to share.
06/03/2011 17:06 Shaq Officially Retires From The NBA
After 19 years in the NBA, Shaquille O'Neal has officially announced his retirement after winning four NBA titles, a league MVP in 2000 and appearing in 15 All-Star games.
06/03/2011 13:38 Shaq's Big Farewell marks end of one-of-a-kind career
Shaquille O'Neal's career has come full circle, ending Friday where it began 19 years ago with the official announcement of his retirement in Orlando.
06/02/2011 23:54 Dirk, Mavs stun Heat, tie Finals with finishing 22-5 rally
Dirk Nowitzki made the tie-breaking layup with 3.6 seconds left, and the Mavericks roared back from 15 points down with six minutes left in the fourth quarter to beat the Heat 95-93 on Thursday night and tie the NBA Finals at one game apiece.
The Big Geriatric has called it a career after scoring 28,596 points, grabbing 13,099 rebounds and making 15 All-Star teams with four NBA championships and three NBA Finals MVP awards. O’Neal played 19 seasons with Orlando, Los Angeles, Miami Phoenix, Cleveland and Boston and is widely regarded as one of the best centers to ever lace ‘em up. But Fantasy owners should expect to get no use out of him in 2011-12. The chance he comes back is always there, but we wouldn’t consider him a viable option even if he does. (Updated 8/23/11)
