June 1, 2011

Shaq Retires

By - Kris Fletcher

Boston Celtics center Shaquille O'Neil announced his retirement from the NBA today via a short fifteen-second video posted to his Twitter account.

Photo from: celtics.com
Shaq appeared in only thirty-seven games this season due to an Achilles tendon injury.

After his Twitter post, he spoke to Jackie MacMullen of espn.com about his decision:

"I really thought about coming back, but this Achilles is very damaged and if I had it done the recovery would be so long we'd have the same outcome as this last year. Everyone would be sitting around waiting on me. I didn't want to let people down two years in a row. I didn't want to hold Boston hostage again. I'm letting everyone know now so Danny (Ainge) and the organization can try to get younger talent. I would love to come back, but they say once the Achilles is damaged it's never the same. I don't want to take that chance."

O'Neil ends his illustrious ninteen-year career having been a fifteen-time All-Star, an eight-time All-NBA First Team selection, a four-time NBA champion and a one-time MVP. He is also the fifth-leading scorer in the history of the league.

2 comments:

  1. Just been a shell of his former self the last several years, but age does that to everyone I suppose. In his prime, he was the most unstoppable force in the history of basketball.

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  2. YAAAAAAAY!!!!!!

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