No........shaq

[Andrew]

Suns' O'Neal puts timetable on retirement

ESPN.com news services






Updated: September 12, 2008, 12:10 AM ET

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Big Men Winding Down

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Shaquille O'Neal, 36, said Thursday he'll play out the rest of his contract and retire in two years. If he plays in 2009-10, he'd be 37 years old for most of that season. Only five centers have averaged double-digit points as a 37-year old ... here's a look:

Highest PPG
By 37-Year-Old CentersPlayerYearPPGK. Abdul-Jabbar1984-8522.0P. Ewing1999-200015.0R. Parish1990-9114.9A. Gilmore1986-8711.4H. Olajuwon1999-200010.3
ORLANDO -- Not 732 or 733 or 734 days.
No, Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal knows his life will change in exactly 735 days.
"My basketball career will be over in 735 days," O'Neal told News 13 television in Orlando, Fla. "And being an educated man, I've always had things to fall back on. So one of my options is law enforcement."

O'Neal, who was drafted by the Orlando Magic but has since played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns, still has a house in Central Florida. He spoke of his possible future plans Wednesday with the kids at the Pine Hills Boys and Girls Club.
O'Neal has long had an interest in law enforcement and went through the training with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Reserve Academy before becoming a reserve officer with the L.A. Port Police.
A 7-foot future Hall of Famer, O'Neal said he intends to play out the remainder of his contract and retire. He has won four titles in his career -- three with the Lakers and one with the Heat.

www.espn.com



I am devasted. Only 2 more seasons for the greatest. Damn. Shame really.

Sad to see him go. I really am. Maybe this isn't 100% accurate, team physicans sure do know some tricks....

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Come on dude. Seriously.

 

[Mulli]

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Timetable? He should play for 100 years.

 

[Chaplin]

Are you kidding Andrew? I know you love the guy, but he's been saying this since Miami. For someone who is a huge Shaq fan, you don't seem to know anything about him.

 

[Andrew]

I know he has said he was intending to play out his current contract when he was with the Heat and I know he is technically still under the same contract, but...I always knew that was awhile away. 2 seasons sure seems to be around the corner and I just stated that if he feels good and can still play, I kinda expect him to play longer.

 

[Irish]

In the summer of 2010 the Suns get $20 million in cap space for Shaq. If Shaq feels wonderful and gets a couple of rings, he MIGHT decide to hang on a year or two more; but I think the overall plan is to focus on rebuilding from that point on..

 

[Andrew]

That is what I am hoping for...

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Seriously Andrew, you're ok, but this hyper obsession with another guy is a little much. Might be one of those things you keep under wraps.

 

[Tha Prototype]

In the summer of 2010 the Suns get $20 million in cap space for Shaq/QUOTE]

Exactly. 2010 is the huge Free Agent frenzy, Lebron, Wade, Bosh, and other big names

 

[Mainstreet]

I guess the 2010 FA period will serve as the Suns first round draft pick that's gone for that year.

 

[nowagimp]

I guess the 2010 FA period will serve as the Suns first round draft pick that's gone for that year.

Yeah, I hope thay can attract some outstanding talent as they will be in a rebuilding mode and alot of teams are planning to have alot of cap space for that summer.

 

[Irish]

Yeah, I hope thay can attract some outstanding talent as they will be in a rebuilding mode and alot of teams are planning to have alot of cap space for that summer.

I'm more interested in getting value. After re-signing Amare, they need to find a solid big to play with him. Everything else will depend on how some of the younger guys develop.

 

[Chaplin]

Like a battle for backups in New Orleans, this is a non-news issue. Shaq retiring in two years? Big freaking deal, he's not going to be on the Suns then, so he can do whatever he wants. I don't care one bit.

 

[Andrew]

^^^^^^^
harsh

 

[Chaplin]

^^^^^^^
harsh

Why? I like Shaq on the Suns, but I'm not going to cry if he doesn't come back to the Suns or the NBA. He's earned his retirement as far as I'm concerned. What interests me more in 2010 is not Shaq leaving the game, but Shaq leaving us with some cap space.

 

[TJ]

The only thing I care about is that he proves all of these so called "experts" wrong that say he will be ineffective this season

 

[French Fries]

The only thing I care about is that he proves all of these so called "experts" wrong that say he will be ineffective this season

that goes without saying. and on that note, hey andrew, here's some food for the soul, enjoy (i did):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMX1FGwyr38&feature=related

 

[Andrew]

^^^^^

Damn, man I almost cried.

 

[Gee!]

^^^^^

Damn, man I almost cried.

wow

 

[arwillan]

I am devasted. Only 2 more seasons for the greatest. Damn. Shame really.

Sad to see him go. I really am. Maybe this isn't 100% accurate, team physicans sure do know some tricks....

Greatest what, exactly? he isn't the greatest anything. not the greatest center, player, or anything else.

 

[az1965]

I am devasted. Only 2 more seasons for the greatest. Damn. Shame really.

Sad to see him go. I really am. Maybe this isn't 100% accurate, team physicans sure do know some tricks....

I hope he retires before the start of this season... its late to use that cap space but we are not going anywhere with him. He is too old. It was obvious last year.

 

[Chaplin]

Sigh... the worst part is people buying into the ESPN rhetoric.

 

[msdundee]

Sigh... the worst part is people buying into the ESPN rhetoric.

There are also those people who don't buy into the Shaq rhetoric.

 

[French Fries]

Greatest what, exactly? he isn't the greatest anything. not the greatest center, player, or anything else.

he is the greatest bulldozer nba has ever had.

 

[pokerface]

Seriously Andrew, you're ok, but this hyper obsession with another guy is a little much. Might be one of those things you keep under wraps.

Just like your Suns obsession