MIAMI - A day after Shaquille O'Neal managed to eclipse the NBA Finals with a 15-second ad on Twitter that he planned to retire from the NBA, former teammates Dwyane Wade and LeBron James is reflected in the legend, a race Hall of Fame to punish the edges and provide Punchlines.
O'Neal had already won three NBA championships, participated in a couple of bad movies and released a second album in rap before arriving in Miami after a trade with the Lakers in Los Angeles in the summer of 2004. He and Wade won a championship two years after the Dallas Mavericks.
"We've had a few years very well together, so [I] totally humbled and honored to have been a teammate. I had the opportunity to play with one of the greats. I really learned a lot from him as a professional," Wade said. "However, as a fan, to see the domain of what he did will never be forgotten. What he did off the court, always fun loving. Obviously, this is not the last time we see Shaq, but overall was a great race as a person and player. "
O'Neal's time in Miami ended on a sour note, as he was traded to Phoenix for a season of 15 wins and more than a year later, the Suns dealt him to Cleveland. His career ended in Boston, where he had an injury-plagued season and returned to face the Heat in the second round of the playoffs this year. He appeared in two games, limping into the ground, before James and Wade finished the season with the Celtics - and O'Neal's career.
"First, give the respect due respect. His 19 years in this league is unprecedented what he could do in this league, not only in the field, but off the court," said James. "I think it was one of the great men just to play this market and traded off the court. Selling shoes, made movies, did a lot of things off the court. "
"Do not forget to rap," Wade said with a smile.
"Rap, too. In S sales records, did a lot," James said. "His personality was definitely something I gravitated to, being as outgoing as me. Even before I had as a teammate last year, to be near him for All-Star games, being around him in the offseason. It was a great person. I think everybody knows what you could do with a basketball uniform, but it was so great off the court. "
Wade, O'Neal said he will always be remembered for the fun. "One thing about Shaq, he did what he wanted to do for 19 years. Not many people can say that. He enjoyed his time in the NBA."
