Shaquille O'Neal (Shaquille O'Neal), born on March 6, 1972 in New Jersey, USA, is a former American professional basketball player and center, nicknamed "Big Shark".

In the 1992 NBA Draft, the Magic selected O'Neal with the first pick in the first round. In his career, he has played for: Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.

In his NBA career, Shaquille O'Neal averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game; in his career, he averaged 28,596 points, 13,099 rebounds, and a 58.2% possession rate. shooting percentage; selected to the NBA All-Star team 15 times, won the championship 4 times; won 1 regular season MVP, 3 Finals MVP and 3 All-Star Game MVP, and was selected to the NBA All-NBA Team 15 times; O'Neal is One of the strongest centers in the NBA, he was selected into the NBA's "50 Greatest Stars".

On June 2, 2011, "Shark" O'Neal announced on Twitter that he would bid farewell to the NBA after 19 years of fighting.

Sports career:

1. Magic era

(1992–96 season)

In the 1992 draft, the Orlando Magic O'Neal was selected with the first pick in the first round. He developed his basketball skills under the tutelage of NBA Hall of Famer Earvin Johnson in Los Angeles before moving to Orlando in the summer.

In the 1992-93 season, his first season in the NBA, he had three experiences of breaking the backboard and rim when dunking, and the last time he pulled down the basketball stand. O'Neal also became the first player to start as a rookie in the NBA All-Star Game since Michael Jordan in the 1984-85 season. In his rookie season, O'Neal helped the Magic win 20 more games than the previous season. He averaged 23.4 points and 13.9 rebounds per game, becoming the "NBA Rookie of the Year" in the 1992-93 season.

In the 1993-94 season, O'Neal averaged 29.3 points per game and averaged 60% shooting in the paint. On November 20, 1993, O'Neal, who was not yet 22 years old, scored his first "triple-double" in his career in an away game against the New Jersey Nets. In 36 minutes of playing time, he made 12 of 19 shots, scored 24 points and 28 rebounds, and also blocked 15 shots, becoming the only two people since 1985 to block 15 shots in a single game. Players who block shots. In this season, he led the Orlando Magic to the playoffs for the first time in team history. In the summer of 1994, he led the U.S. Men's Basketball Team "Dream Team 2" to win the World Championship gold medal, and personally won the World Championship MVP. Two years later, he represented the "Dream Team 3" to win the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, becoming the only player in NBA history to win the gold medal. A player who combines the six top honors in world basketball: World Championship gold medal, World Championship MVP, Olympic gold medal, regular season MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and Finals MVP.

In the 1994-95 season, O'Neal averaged 29.3 points per game and accumulated 2,315 points, winning his first scoring title. This season's Orlando Magic won 57 games and once again entered the NBA playoffs. The team eliminated Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls, who returned in the final 17 games of the regular season, in the Eastern Conference Finals and reached the NBA Finals for the first time. Facing Hakeem Olajuwon, the number one center in the 1990s, O'Neal averaged 28 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists per game, and shot 59% from the field (O'Neal averaged 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists per game). Rajuwan (48%). Except for scoring, all his statistics exceeded Dreams, but the team was swept out by the Rockets. In the playoffs, O'Neal averaged 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 57.7% shooting.

In the 1995-96 season, O'Neal was injured and missed 28 games. Although this season, the Orlando Magic won 60 games and once again entered the playoffs, but was eliminated by the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan.

In four years with the Magic, he won a scoring title and brought an underdog team to the playoffs in the first year and the top 8 in the second year. , brought to the finals in the third year. However, during O'Neal's three years with the Magic, although he was "infinitely powerful", his skills were still a little rough.

2. Lakers period

(1996–2004 season)

In the summer of 1996, O'Neal, who became a free agent, signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. With a 7-year contract worth US$120 million, he officially joined the Los Angeles Lakers.

In the 1996-97 season, O'Neal's performance was average due to injury.

In the 1997-98 season, Rick Fox and Robert Horry came to the Lakers to enhance the team's offensive strength. In this NBA season, O'Neal and his teammates won 61 games, but were defeated 0-4 by the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Finals.

In the 1998-99 season, the Lakers were joined by former Bulls player Dennis Rodman, and the team also achieved a record of 31 wins and 19 losses (the season was reduced to 50 games due to the lockout) , entering the playoffs. Although they defeated the Houston Rockets 3-1 in the first round of the Western Conference, they were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs 0-4 in the second round.

In the 1999-00 season, the Lakers were joined by former Bulls coach Phil Jackson, who quickly improved the team's performance. On March 7, 2000, O'Neal broke out in the game against the Clippers. He made 24 of 35 shots and 13 of 22 free throws. He scored 61 points and 23 rebounds. He led the team to a victory over the Clippers. One day is also O'Neal's 28th birthday. O'Neal played in 79 games this season, averaging 29.7 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. His scoring data set a personal record for his highest average per game in a single season. That year, he also won the All-Star Game (shared with Tim Duncan***) and the regular season Most Valuable Player Award, averaging 29.7 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. The team entered the playoffs with a record of 67 wins and 15 losses, ranking first in the Western Conference. In 23 playoff games, O'Neal averaged 30.7 points, 2.4 blocks, 15.4 rebounds, and a 56.6% shooting percentage. He continuously defeated the 2.18-meter Vlade Divac and Chris in his peak period. ·Webber, Luke Langley who is 2.18 meters tall, Avidas Sabonis who is 2.23 meters tall, and defensive hero Rasheed Wallace who is 2.11 meters tall, all faced numerous double-teams and fouls from these opponents. , advancing to the NBA Finals. In the Finals on June 20, 2000, O'Neal scored 40 points and 24 rebounds, but in 46 minutes of playing time, he stood on the free throw line 39 times, setting an NBA historical record. In the past 20 years of the playoffs, no player other than O'Neal has made more than 30 free throws in a single game. In the entire series, facing the Pacers' 2.21-meter-long Dutchman Rick Smits, defensive champion Dale Davis and other players' "rogue" defense, O'Neal averaged 38 points per game. points, 16.7 rebounds, and won the title of Finals MVP. He became the first player since Jordan in 1998 to win all "Most Valuable Player Awards" in the same season, thus becoming the best season of O'Neal's career.

In the 2000-01 season, O'Neal defeated the Kings, Trail Blazers, and Spurs in the Western Conference playoffs and advanced to the finals. Facing the 76ers in the finals, he won the season's best defensive player and rebounding champion. Dikembe Mutombo, O'Neal scored 33 points and 15.6 rebounds in 5 games. Among them, in the final game on June 9, 2001, he made 12 of 19 shots and scored 28 points, 20 rebounds, 9 assists, and 8 blocks, a quasi-quadruple-double. The "Shark" at his peak also led the team to win the championship. The Lakers' 15-1 record that year also created the best record in playoff history. In these 16 playoff games, O'Neal averaged 30.4 points, 3.2 assists, 15.4 rebounds, and a 56.6% shooting rate. .

In the 2001-02 season, O'Neal led the Lakers to win another championship, averaging 36.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game against the Nets in the finals.

The three consecutive championships were the peak of O'Neal's career. Although various NBA teams tried their best to reduce his power on both offense and defense, including the famous "Hack-the-Shaq" tactic, the results were not great. In these three playoffs, O'Neal, like Michael Jordan, won the Finals Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) for three consecutive years.

In the 2002-03 season, O'Neal refused to undergo surgery on his toe in the summer, so he could only play 67 games that season. The team only achieved 50 wins and 32 losses, despite being an All-Star. Teammate Kobe Bryant achieved a career-best average of 30 points per game at the time, but could not escape the bad luck of being defeated by the Spurs in the second round of the Western Conference. The team later used Horry as a scapegoat to save O'Neal's face, but it also deepened the feud between him and Kobe.

In the 2003-04 season, the Lakers were joined by Karl Malone and Gary Payton to form what is known as the strongest fantasy lineup in the league and once again reached the Finals. But the result was unexpected. Although O'Neal, who was 32 years old and had a leg injury, scored 26.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 63% shooting rate against the double Wallace defense, the Lakers still lost 1-4 in the finals. To the Detroit Pistons. The Lakers' "golden lineup" also collapsed after the game. The relationship between O'Neal and Kobe Bryant further deteriorated and reached an point of no return. As the negotiations between the Lakers' top management and O'Neal ended in failure, "Shark" transferred to Miami, and the "O'Neal Era" of the Lakers ended.

3. Heat period

(2004–08 season)

On July 14, 2004, the Lakers traded "Shark" O'Neal to the Miami Heat. Received Brian Grant, Lamar Odom, a 2006 first-round pick and a 2007 second-round pick[13]. After O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat, he changed his jersey number from No. 34 with the Lakers to No. 32 with the Orlando Magic.

In the 2004-05 season, O'Neal's arrival benefited the Heat in terms of technical statistics and spirit. The core of the team, Dwyane Wade, has also made progress with the help of O'Neal. In the Heat's game, Wade led the team in scoring 42 times, while O'Neal only scored 32 times. The Heat ended up with the best record in the Eastern Conference at 59 wins and 23 losses. In the playoffs, the Heat and the Pistons met in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Heat lost to the Pistons after seven games.

In the 2005-06 season, the team added Gary Payton, Alonzo Mourning, Antoine Walker, and Jason Williams. players and met the Pistons again in the Eastern Conference finals of the playoffs. O'Neal's condition declined, but he eventually eliminated the Pistons with a big score of 4-2, leading the Heat to the Finals for the first time in history. Facing the Dallas Mavericks in the finals, the Heat fell behind 0-2 at first, but eventually came back to win in four straight games and win the Heat's first NBA championship. O'Neal also won his fourth championship ring.

In the 2006-07 season, O'Neal only played 40 games throughout the season and retired due to injury in the middle of the season. Even with Wade's support, the team is still teetering on the edge of the game. After the All-Star Game, Wade was sidelined due to a dislocated shoulder, and O'Neal returned to lead the team. During this period, O'Neal performed well. But in the end, in the first round of the playoffs, the Heat were swept out with a score of 0-4, becoming the first defending team to be eliminated in the first round since 2000. O'Neal performed poorly throughout the series, averaging a career low of 30.3 minutes per game, scoring 18.8 points and 8.5 rebounds. He scored 17.3 points and 7.4 rebounds throughout the season, both career lows (his scoring average was less than 20 points for the first time in his career). At the same time, he failed to be selected to the NBA All-NBA Team for the first time in his career.

In the 2007-08 season, hip injuries and left knee pain greatly affected O'Neal's performance on the court. In the first thirty-two games, O'Neal only scored 14 points and 7.8 rebounds, which was far below his career averages. Scores, rebounds and blocks are all career lows.

His importance in the Heat's offense has decreased, averaging only 10 shots per game (career average of 17 per game). O'Neal was also troubled by fouls and had to leave the game with fouls in 5 consecutive games. Due to poor performance and frequent absences from games, he was neither voted to start nor selected as a substitute by the coach in the All-Star Game in New Orleans. O'Neal's record of 14 consecutive All-Star Game appearances came to an end. O'Neal expressed his desire to be traded to a strong team during the season. As a result, the team traded him for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks, and O'Neal joined the Phoenix Suns. .

4. Suns Period

(2008–09 season)

In the 2007-08 season, in response to people’s doubts about O’Neal’s suitability for the Suns’ style, O’Neal He expressed his dissatisfaction at the press conference and stated that he would win the first championship in the team's history for the Suns. O'Neal's first game was against his "old club" Lakers. In the game where the Suns lost to the Lakers, O'Neal scored 6 times in the fourth quarter to close the score. In the playoffs, the Suns met the Western Conference powerhouse San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The two teams fought hard into the second overtime in the first game. In the end, Tim Duncan's key three-pointer helped the Spurs win their first victory. The Suns were unable to follow up throughout the series. In the end, the Spurs eliminated the Suns in the first round of the playoffs with a score of 4:1. O'Neal averaged 15.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in this series.

In the 2008-09 season, all O'Neal's previous injuries disappeared, and his performance was getting better and better compared to the previous two seasons. On February 27, 2009, O'Neal scored 45 points and 11 rebounds against the Toronto Raptors. This was his 49th career game of more than 40 points, leading the Suns to a 133-113 victory over the Raptors. After O'Neal scored 45 points, he became the second player in NBA history to still score 45+ at the age of 37 (the other is Michael Jordan). Subsequently, without the team's core players Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire, he scored 33 points and led the team to defeat the Western Conference leader Lakers. This game also made O'Neal history in the NBA. The fourth player who can score 3 points in two consecutive games at the age of 35 (the other three are Karl Malone, English and Jordan). The team also made changes. The run-and-gun tactics were changed from the "7 seconds or less" offensive to the "7 seconds or O'Neal" option. Although O'Neal was selected to the NBA All-Year Third Team, the 2009 NBA playoffs was the first time O'Neal missed the playoffs since failing to enter the playoffs during his rookie season.

5. Cavaliers period

(2009-10 season)

In the 2009-10 season, the Cavaliers signed "Shark" O'Neal to help LeBron James solves the problem inside. In the middle of the season, Antawn Jamison was introduced from the Wizards to once again strengthen the interior. The Cavaliers led the league with a record of 61 wins. But in the playoffs, O'Neal missed the first round due to a finger injury. After the Cavaliers eliminated the Bulls 4-1, James tore the ligament in his right elbow and took painkillers to continue playing. In the end, he lost to the Celtics 2-4 and was eliminated from the playoffs again.

The 37-year-old O'Neal is strictly limited in terms of playing time, averaging 12 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Compared with the average data for centers aged 37 and above in the NBA, he averages 5.4 points per game. , 3.67 rebounds and 0.65 blocks.

6. Celtics period

.

(2010–11 season)

August 4, 2010, Boston The Celtics announced the signing of O'Neal. O'Neal joined the Celtics with a two-year base salary of 2.8 million. On August 10, he appeared on behalf of the Celtics and wore jersey No. 36. On November 24, 2010, O'Neal scored 25 points and 11 rebounds on 9 of 10 shots in the Celtics' 89-83 home victory over the Nets, becoming the seventh player in the NBA since 1986 after his 38th birthday. A player who scored more than 25 points and 10 rebounds in a single game, O'Neal became the player with the most 25 points and 10 rebounds in a single game in the regular season among active players.

O'Neal played in 37 games with the Celtics this season, averaging 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game. All statistics were career lows. In the entire playoffs, O'Neal only played in two games. .

Announced retirement

Due to a serious Achilles tendon injury, it was difficult for O'Neal to recover from the injury. Although he still has one year of contract with the Celtics, he has a second-year player option, so O'Neal has the right to end the contract early. On June 2, 2011, O'Neal posted a 16-second short video on his own Twitter, in which "Shark" O'Neal announced his retirement. Shaquille O'Neal has the record of leading the league in field goal percentage for 5 consecutive seasons (equal with Chamberlain), leading the league in field goal percentage for 10 consecutive seasons; averaging 210 (points + rebounds) per game for 13 consecutive seasons ball), 26+10 data for 10 consecutive years; Player of the Month 4 times in a single season; league record for regular season MVP with 99.7% of the votes. He holds the league record for free throws made in a single quarter in the playoffs with 25, as well as the total record of 2,317 free throws made in his career in the playoffs (551 more than second-place Michael Jordan).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame:

In 2000, O'Neal received a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and was elected to the school's Basketball Hall of Fame.

On March 27, 2015, the Orlando Magic officially elected "Shark" O'Neal into the team's Hall of Fame. He also became the third Hall of Fame player in the Magic. O'Neal played for the Magic for four years in his career. He played a total of 295 regular season games for Orlando, averaging 27.2 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game, and his shooting percentage was as high as 58.1%. In 1995, O'Neal led the Magic to the NBA Finals, but unfortunately lost to the Rockets led by "Big Dream" Olajuwon. This also created the best record in the history of the Magic. In four years, Lionel collected 3,691 rebounds and blocked 824 shots; both statistics ranked second in team history.

Jersey retirement:

On April 3, 2013, the Lakers held a jersey retirement ceremony for Shaquille O'Neal during halftime of the home game against the Mavericks. O'Neal's No. 34 jersey hangs next to Magic Johnson's No. 32 jersey at Staples Center. At the ceremony, a video of a speech recorded by Kobe was first played. In his speech, he spoke highly of everything O'Neal brought to Los Angeles. Phil Jackson and Jeannie Buss also gave speeches. In the eight years he played for the Lakers, O'Neal won the only regular season MVP in his career, led the team to complete three consecutive championships, and won the Finals MVP three times.

On March 9, 2014, Shark, who had just celebrated his 42nd birthday, came to his high school alma mater, Cole High School in San Antonio, to witness the retirement of his No. 33 jersey. In O'Neal's two seasons, Cole High School achieved a record of 68 wins and 1 loss, and they won the state championship in 1989.