The Los Angeles Lakers, where Shaquille O’Neal played eight of his nineteen NBA seasons, retired the big man’s number on Tuesday. Although it was still early in his retirement, there was no reason for the Lakers to wait any longer to officially be the team out of the six that he played for to claim him as one of their own. Mr. O’Neal won three of his four NBA Championships in Los Angeles.
During the Jersey Retirement Ceremony, the Laker family truly showed their affection for their dominant center. Kind words came from teammate Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson as well as members of the Laker Management staff and of-course the fans who, when asked to describe Shaq in one word, gave responses that included “champion” and “Laker.” The Los Angeles Lakers expressed their appreciation for his talent and humor. But what will forever be ingrained in their memory is the three consecutive championships that he led them to from 2000 to 2002, winning the MVP award each year in that run. His “Black Tornado” move and his slam dunks were an unstoppable force as he put up huge performances and had a lot of fun. Now his number 34 jersey is retired and it joins the other Laker greats.
Shaquille O’Neal thanked his mother. Then he talked about how his stepfather taught him to play when he was 2 in Newark, where he was born and raised, and that he had a vision that Shaq would be big. The Boys and Girls Club of America in Newark is known for giving Shaq a place to stay away from trouble in his childhood and hone his basketball skills. He thanked his six children for, among other things, “loving me after bad games.” He singled out some members of the Laker organization and celebrity fans that especially meant a lot to him. It’s the story of a talent from Newark, New Jersey who went to one of the greatest basketball teams in the world and left his mark on the Laker family.
For those of us in Newark still, every time Shaquille O’Neal comes up, perhaps a dream is provoked. Maybe just in whispers for now. Imagine if Newark got its own permanent NBA team and Mr. O’Neal was at least a part owner. Imagine igniting the passion of an entire state of basketball fans with a home right where it belongs, in the state’s largest city. The building is already there, and it’s already been test driven. Imagine having 41 more home games in Newark every year, plus pre-season and playoffs. Imagine Newark competing in a division with the big towns like Philadelphia, Boston, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Every time this dream comes up, Shaq assures us he is doing everything he can to make this a reality. Lets hope that this story of a young boy from Newark, New Jersey that went on to become a huge basketball star continues.
Congratulations to Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal, forever Number 34 of the reputable Los Angeles Lakers.
The newest member of retired Lakers jerseys belongs to a man from Newark, New Jersey.