ORLANDO, Fla. — Shaquille O’Neal, the man with four rings, 28,596 career points and scores of nicknames, has finally decided to call it quits, ending one of the most colorful careers in NBA history that will surely culminate with a Hall of Fame induction.
“I’m going to miss the competition. I’m going to miss, you know, the chase for the ring. You know, I’m actually going to miss everything,” O’Neal said on “SportsCenter” on Wednesday.
He added: “Father Time has caught up with Shaquille O’Neal.”
O’Neal, 39, revealed his retirement earlier Wednesday using the new social media tool Tout, a real-time video messaging service, to announce to fans: “We did it. Nineteen years baby. I want to thank you very much, that’s why I’m telling you first, I’m about to retire. Love you, talk to you soon.”
“Once a businesman, always a businessman,” O’Neal said with a smile later Wednesday. “I am the emperor of the social media network.”
O’Neal said he wasn’t prepared yet to reminisce about his long and prolific career, which produced three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Miami Heat. “Let’s save that for the press conference on Friday,” said O’Neal, who will hold that media event at his Isleworth home.
Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss says that O’Neal has not notified the team of his plans.
“Shout out to @SHAQ on the hall of fame career. One of a kind player,” Celtics teammate Rajon Rondo tweeted Wednesday.
O’Neal retires fifth all-time with 28,596 points, 12th with 13,099 rebounds and second only to Artis Gilmore among players with more than 2,000 baskets with a .582 field goal percentage.
“I’m a little bit sad,” said Pat Riley, the Heat president who was also the coach in 2006 when O’Neal won a title in Miami. “It’s the end of an absolute 20-year career. Great, great player. … The league’s going to miss Shaq. I’m sure Shaq will do something big and beyond.”
LeBron James tweeted: “What a career for Shaq Diesel!! The most dominating force to ever play the game. Great person to be around as well. Comedy all the time!!”
