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Shaquille O'Neal
O’Neal while meeting U.S. Army soldiers from CENTCOM at MacDill Air Force Base in 2004
O’Neal while meeting U. S. Army soldiers from CENTCOM at MacDill Air Force Base in 2004
Position Center
Height 7 ft 1 in (2. The United States Central Command ( USCENTCOM) is a theater -level Unified Combatant Command unit of the U MacDill Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base under the claimancy of the Air Mobility Command ( AMC) The center, colloquially the five, is one of the standard positions in a regulation Basketball game A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit Inches redirects here To see the Les Savy Fav album see Inches. 16 m)
Weight 325 lb (147 kg)
Team Phoenix Suns
Jersey #32
Born March 6, 1972 (1972-03-06) (age 36)
Newark, New Jersey
Nationality American
High school Robert G. Cole (San Antonio, Texas)
College LSU
Draft 1st overall, 1992
Orlando Magic
Pro career 1992–present
Former teams Orlando Magic (1992–1996)
LA Lakers (1996–2004)
Miami Heat (2004–2008)
Awards 4-time NBA Champion
2000 NBA MVP
'92-'93 NBA Rookie of the Year
3-time NBA Finals MVP
2-time All-Star MVP
14-time All-Star
1994 FIBA World Championship WVP
Medal record
Men's basketball
Competitor for Flag of the United States United States
Olympic Games
Gold 1996 Atlanta Team Competition
World Championship
Gold 1994 Canada Team Competition

Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced /ʃəˈkiːl rəˈʃɔːn oʊˈniːl/; born March 6, 1972), frequently referred to simply as "Shaq", is an American professional basketball player, rapper and actor. The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass The Phoenix Suns are a professional Basketball team based in Phoenix Arizona. Events 1079 - Omar Khayyám completes the Iranian calendar. 1454 - Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Newark is the largest city in New Jersey, United States and the County seat of Essex County. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Robert G Cole Junior-Senior High School is located on Fort Sam Houston Army base in San Antonio Texas. Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, generally known as Louisiana State University or LSU, is a public, Coeducational The 1992 NBA Draft took place on 24 June, 1992, in Portland Oregon. The Orlando Magic is a professional Basketball team based in Orlando Florida. The Orlando Magic is a professional Basketball team based in Orlando Florida. The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA team based in Los Angeles, California. The Miami Heat (often referred to simply as the Heat, including in some official team publications with HEAT in all capital letters are a professional Basketball The National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA award given since the 1952–53 NBA season, to the The National Basketball Association Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA award given since the 1969 NBA Finals. The National Basketball Association staged its first All-Star Game in the Boston Garden on March 2, 1951. The 1994 FIBA World Championship was an international Basketball competition hosted by Canada from August 4 to August 14, 1994. Basketball is a team Sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Basketball has been played consistently at the Summer Olympic Games since 1936 with demonstration events in 1904 and 1924 The 1996 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, were an International Final results for the Basketball Competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics. The FIBA World Championship is a world Basketball tournament for men's national teams held quadrennially by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA The 1994 FIBA World Championship was an international Basketball competition hosted by Canada from August 4 to August 14, 1994. The United States men's national basketball team is the representative for the United States of America in international men's Basketball. Events 1079 - Omar Khayyám completes the Iranian calendar. 1454 - Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Basketball is a team Sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m Rapping (also known as emceeing, MCing, spitting, or just rhyming) is the Rhythmic spoken delivery of Rhymes wordplay and An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works He is often regarded as one of the most dominant in the history of the NBA,[1][2] where he currently plays at center for the Phoenix Suns. The center, colloquially the five, is one of the standard positions in a regulation Basketball game The Phoenix Suns are a professional Basketball team based in Phoenix Arizona. O'Neal has won four NBA Championships, three with the Los Angeles Lakers and most recently in 2006, with the Miami Heat. The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each June The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA team based in Los Angeles, California. The 2006 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005-06 National Basketball Association season. The Miami Heat (often referred to simply as the Heat, including in some official team publications with HEAT in all capital letters are a professional Basketball

Contents

Biography

College years

O'Neal first gained national attention as a star at Linton Middle School. He led his Robert G. Cole High School team, San Antonio, Texas, to a 68-1 record during his two years there, and helped the team win the state title his senior year. Robert G Cole Junior-Senior High School is located on Fort Sam Houston Army base in San Antonio Texas. [3]

After graduating from high school, O'Neal attended Louisiana State University, where he was a member of Omega Psi Phi and studied business. Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, generally known as Louisiana State University or LSU, is a public, Coeducational Omega Psi Phi (ΩΨΦ is an international fraternity and was the first African-American national fraternal organization to be founded at a historically black A business (also called firm or an enterprise) is a legally recognized organizational entity designed to provide goods and/or services to He had first met Dale Brown, LSU's men's basketball coach at that time, years before in Europe. Dale Duward Brown (born October 31, 1935 in Minot North Dakota) is the winningest coach in LSU men's basketball history and The Louisiana State Tigers Basketball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I men's College basketball. With O'Neal's stepfather stationed on a U.S. Army base at Wildflecken, West Germany, and his god father a First sergeant at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, O'Neal attended Fulda American High School, a DODDS school. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. Wildflecken is a municipality in the Bad Kissingen district at the border of northeastern Bavaria and southern Hesse. West Germany ( Inf German: Westdeutschland or West-Deutschland) was the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany (

While playing for Brown at LSU, O'Neal was a two time All-American, two-time SEC player of the year, and received the Adolph Rupp Trophy as NCAA men's basketball player of the year in 1991. An All-American "team" is an honorary Sports team composed of outstanding Amateur players those considered the best players of a specific season for The Southeastern Conference (SEC is a College Athletic conference headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, which operates in the southeastern The Adolph F Rupp Trophy is an Award given annually to the top player in men's Division I NCAA Basketball. The National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA, often pronounced "N-C-Double-A" is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions conferences organizations He also holds the NCAA record for shots blocked in a game with 17 blocks against Mississippi State on December 3, 1990. The National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA, often pronounced "N-C-Double-A" is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions conferences organizations In Basketball, a block (short for blocked shot) occurs when a defensive player legally deflects a shot from an offensive player Mississippi State University is a Land-grant university located in north east-central Mississippi, United States, in the town of Starkville and Events 1800 - War of the Second Coalition: Battle of Hohenlinden, French Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar)

O'Neal left LSU early to pursue his NBA career, but returned to school in 2000 and received a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies. [4] He was later inducted into the LSU Hall of Fame. The Louisiana State University Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes members of the athletics program that have made a lasting impact on the university [5]

Orlando Magic

He was drafted as the 1st overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. The 1992 NBA Draft took place on 24 June, 1992, in Portland Oregon. The Orlando Magic is a professional Basketball team based in Orlando Florida. (He would later be teammates on the Miami Heat with the second and third picks of that same draft: Alonzo Mourning and Christian Laettner. The Miami Heat (often referred to simply as the Heat, including in some official team publications with HEAT in all capital letters are a professional Basketball Alonzo Harding Mourning Jr (born February 8, 1970, in Chesapeake Virginia) is an American professional Basketball player who Christian Donald Laettner (born August 17, 1969 in Angola New York) is a retired American professional Basketball player ) During that summer, prior to moving to Orlando, he spent a significant amount of time in Los Angeles under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. Orlando is a major City in central Florida, USA and is the County seat of Orange County Florida. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West O'Neal had an exceptional rookie season, as he helped the Magic win 20 more games than the previous season, with the team ultimately missing the playoffs by virtue of a tie-breaker with the Indiana Pacers. O'Neal averaged 23. 4 points and 13.9 rebounds per game for the season and was named the 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year. This list exhibits the National Basketball Association 's top rookie single-season rebounding averages The National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA award given since the 1952–53 NBA season, to the O'Neal played in the All-Star game and scored 14 points. On two occasions during that season, each during a nationally televised game, O'Neal dunked the ball so hard that he broke the backboard support units. On the first occasion, in a game against Phoenix, the force from his dunk caused the entire goal to bend backward, then slowly sink to the ground. On the second occasion, in a game in New Jersey, the force of the dunk brought down the backboard and shot clock with it.

O'Neal's second season was even better than his first. Teaming with newly-drafted Anfernee Hardaway, O'Neal averaged 29. Anfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway (born July 18 1971, in Memphis Tennessee) is an American professional Basketball player 4 points and led the NBA in field goal percentage at 60%. He was also voted into another All-Star game and helped the Magic make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. On November 20, 1993, against the New Jersey Nets, O'Neal registered the first triple-double of his career, recording 24 points to go along with career highs of 28 rebounds and 15 blocks. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs, Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) The New Jersey Nets are a professional Basketball team in the National Basketball Association that plays in the Eastern Conference 's Atlantic A triple-double is a Basketball term defined as an individual performance in a game in which a player accumulates double-digit totals (i

In his third season, O'Neal led the NBA in scoring. Orlando won 57 games and won the Atlantic Division. The Magic made it all the way to the NBA Finals, but were swept by the Houston Rockets. The Houston Rockets are an American professional Basketball team based in Houston Texas. By O'Neal's own admission, he was badly outplayed during that series by Houston's more experienced superstar center Hakeem Olajuwon, despite putting up admirable numbers in the series. Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born on January 21 1963 is a retired Nigerian American professional Basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA O'Neal has stated that this was one of only two times in his life that he ever cried (the other at the death of his grandmother). His father also used the loss as motivation, saying to his son that "maybe you shouldn't have shook Mr. Olajuwon's hand" (in congratulations for his win).

O'Neal was injured for a great deal of the 1995–96 season, missing 28 games. The 1995–96 NBA season was the 50th season of the National Basketball Association, although the league didn't celebrate this anniversary until the following season The Magic won 60 games and won the Atlantic Division again, but Orlando was swept by the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs. The Chicago Bulls are an American professional Basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Now a free agent, O'Neal contemplated whether his future would be best served by remaining with the Magic or by moving on to a new team. In Professional sports a free agent is a team player whose contract with a team has expired and the player is able to sign a contract with another team if that player

By this point, O'Neal had shown an interest in things outside basketball, including recording several rap albums and acting in films. O'Neal also began taking classes again at LSU to complete his degree, to fulfill his promise to his mother he would graduate. Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, generally known as Louisiana State University or LSU, is a public, Coeducational That summer, O'Neal was named to the United States Olympic basketball team, and was part of the gold medal-winning team at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The 1996 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, were an International

Los Angeles Lakers

After the 1995–96 season, O'Neal left the Orlando Magic to join the Los Angeles Lakers, enticed by the allure of a seven-year, $122 million contract. The 1995–96 NBA season was the 50th season of the National Basketball Association, although the league didn't celebrate this anniversary until the following season The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA team based in Los Angeles, California.

O'Neal joined a young Laker squad that had recently returned to the playoffs, but of which little was expected. O'Neal's arrival vastly changed expectations, but he missed a significant number of games due to injury in the 1996-97 season and several players had difficulty meshing with the new focal point of the offense. The 1996–97 NBA season was the 51st season of the National Basketball Association. By 1997–98, key role players Rick Fox and Robert Horry had been added by Laker GM Jerry West. The 1997–98 NBA season was the 52nd season of the National Basketball Association. Ulrich Alexander "Rick" Fox (born July 24 1969 is a Canadian television actor and retired professional Basketball player Robert Keith Horry (born August 25 1970 in Harford County Maryland) is an American professional Basketball player Jerry Alan West (born May 28 1938 is a retired American Basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National This group meshed well and won 61 regular season games. However, in both of his first two seasons in Los Angeles, O'Neal suffered a lopsided play-off defeat by the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz is a professional Basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Lakers lost the 1997 conference semifinals 4-1 and 1998 conference finals 4-0.

The Lakers were clearly a team on the rise with the tandem of O'Neal and teenage superstar Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bean Bryant (born) is an American All-Star Shooting guard However, the 1998–99 season was marked by nearly constant change within the Lakers. The 1998–99 NBA season was the 53rd season of the National Basketball Association. Long-time Lakers point guard Nick Van Exel was traded to the Denver Nuggets after a dispute with O'Neal. Point guard ( PG) also called the one or " the ball-handler " is one of the standard positions in a regulation Basketball game Nickey (Nick Maxwell Van Exel (born November 27 1971 in Kenosha Wisconsin) is a retired American professional Basketball player The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. His former backcourt partner Eddie Jones was packaged with back-up center Elden Campbell for Glen Rice to satisfy a demand by O'Neal for a shooter. Eddie Charles Jones (born October 20 1971 in Pompano Beach Florida) is an American professional Basketball player for the NBA's Indiana Elden Jerome Campbell (born July 23, 1968 in Los Angeles California) is a retired American professional Basketball player who Glen Anthony Rice (born May 28 1967 in Flint, Michigan) is a retired American Basketball player from the NBA. Coach Del Harris was fired and former Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman was signed, but Rodman only lasted for 23 games before leaving. Delmer (Del William Harris (born June 18 1937 in Plainfield Indiana) is an American Basketball coach currently an assistant The Chicago Bulls are an American professional Basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Dennis Keith Rodman (born May 13 1961 is a retired American professional Basketball National Basketball Association (NBA player of the Detroit Pistons The result was no better as the Lakers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional Basketball team based in San Antonio Texas. The Spurs would go on to win their first league title that year.

In 1999, the Lakers hired Phil Jackson as their new head coach, and the team's fortunes soon changed. Philip Douglas Jackson (born September 17 1945 in Deer Lodge, Montana) is a retired American Basketball player and current coach of the Utilizing Jackson's triangle offense, O'Neal and Kobe Bryant went on to enjoy tremendous success on the court, as they led the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive NBA titles (2000, 2001, 2002). The Triangle Offense, also known as the Triple-Post O'Neal was named MVP of the NBA Finals all three times and has the highest scoring average for a center in NBA Finals history. The National Basketball Association Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA award given since the 1969 NBA Finals.

O'Neal was also voted the 1999–2000 regular season Most Valuable Player, coming just one vote short of becoming the first unanimous MVP in NBA history. The 1999–2000 NBA season was the 54th season of the National Basketball Association. Fred Hickman, then of CNN, was the sole voter who did not cast his first place vote for O'Neal, instead choosing Allen Iverson, then of the Philadelphia 76ers. Fred Hickman is the host of NBA Shootaround and a SportsCenter anchor for ESPN. Cable News Network, usually referred to by its Initialism CNN, is a major English language Television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner Allen Ezail Iverson (born June 7 1975 in Hampton, Virginia) is an American professional Basketball player for the Denver Nuggets The Philadelphia 76ers (also known as the Sixers for short are a professional Basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania O'Neal also won the scoring title that year while finishing second in rebounds and third in blocked shots.

Shaquille O'Neal at the White House greeting President Bush with his fellow Lakers.
Shaquille O'Neal at the White House greeting President Bush with his fellow Lakers. See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States.

After the Lakers fell to 5th seed and failed to reach the Finals in 2003, the team made a concerted off-season effort to improve its roster. They sought the free agent services of forward legend Karl Malone and aging guard Gary Payton, but due to salary cap restrictions, could not offer either one nearly as much money as he could have made with other teams. Karl Anthony Malone (born July 24 1963 is a retired American professional Basketball player Gary Dwayne Payton (born July 23 1968 is an American professional Basketball player formerly in the National Basketball Association (NBA The NBA Salary Cap is the limit to the total amount of money that National Basketball Association teams are allowed to pay their players O'Neal assisted in the recruitment efforts and personally persuaded both men to join the team. Ultimately, each of them signed, forgoing larger salaries in favor a chance to win an NBA championship, something neither had yet accomplished in his career (which neither would achieve with the Lakers). At the beginning of the 2003–04 season, with two years left on his contract at the time, O'Neal informed the team of his desire for a substantially larger extension to his contract. The 2003–04 NBA season was the 58th season of the National Basketball Association. O'Neal remained persistently vocal about this desire, but Laker management was hesitant to meet his demands amid concerns about his work ethic and about the possibility of further injuries, and a general decline in his game as he continued to age. It is widely believed that there was also concern about O'Neal's relationship with Kobe Bryant, as the two had exchanged public barbs during the off-season. The " Shaq-Kobe feud " was the "bitter rivalry" between Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, who played together on the National Basketball Association's With Bryant scheduled to become a free agent at the end of that season, many believed he would not choose to remain with the Lakers as O'Neal's sidekick.

The Lakers did eventually offer O'Neal a large contract in February 2004 (according to the book Madmen's Ball by Mark Heisler) under which he would have unquestionably continued to remain the highest paid player in the league, but he refused after feeling his services were not needed.

After the Lakers' loss to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals, O'Neal became angered by comments made by Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak regarding O'Neal's future with the club, as well as by the departure of Lakers coach Phil Jackson due to request of Dr. The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area The 2004 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 2003–04 National Basketball Association season. Mitchell "Mitch" Kupchak (born May 24 1954 in Hicksville New York) is a retired American Basketball player and Philip Douglas Jackson (born September 17 1945 in Deer Lodge, Montana) is a retired American Basketball player and current coach of the Buss. O'Neal made comments indicating that he felt the team's decisions were centered on a desire to appease Bryant, to the exclusion of all other concerns, and O'Neal promptly demanded a trade. The Dallas Mavericks and their team owner Mark Cuban were extremely interested in O'Neal and were willing to make a trade with the Lakers, but Kupchak wanted Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavs' superstar, in return. The Dallas Mavericks (also known as the Mavs) are the professional Basketball team of the National Basketball Association based in Dallas Texas Mark Cuban (born July 31, 1958 in Pittsburgh). He is the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, an NBA Basketball team, Dirk Werner Nowitzki (ɖɪʁk weʁneʁ no'v?tski (born June 19 1978 is a German professional Basketball player who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of Cuban refused to let go of Nowitzki and the Lakers ended trade talks with Dallas. However, Miami showed interest and slowly a trade agreement was made.

Miami Heat

On July 14, 2004, O'Neal was officially traded to the Miami Heat for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and a future first-round draft choice. Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The Miami Heat (often referred to simply as the Heat, including in some official team publications with HEAT in all capital letters are a professional Basketball James Caron Butler, widely known as Caron Butler (pronounced Kuh-RONN) (born March 13 1980) is an American professional Basketball Lamar Joseph Odom (born November 6 1979 in South Jamaica Queens, New York) is an American professional Basketball player who currently Brian Wade Grant (born March 5 1972, in Columbus Ohio) is a retired American Basketball player A draft is a process used in the United States, Canada, and Australia to allocate certain players to Sports teams O'Neal reverted from his Lakers jersey number 34 to number 32 which he wore while playing for the Orlando Magic. Upon signing with the Heat, O'Neal promised the fans that he would bring a championship to Miami. He claimed that one of the main reasons for wanting to be traded to Miami was because of their up-and-coming star, Dwyane Wade. Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr (born January 17 1982) is an American professional Basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat With O'Neal on board, the new-look Heat surpassed expectations, claiming the best record in the Eastern Conference. Despite being hobbled by a deep thigh bruise, O'Neal led the Heat to the Eastern Conference Finals and a Game 7 against the defending champion Detroit Pistons, losing by a narrow margin. The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area He also narrowly lost the 2004–05 MVP Award to Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash in one of the closest votes in NBA history. The 2004–05 NBA season was the 59th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA The Phoenix Suns are a professional Basketball team based in Phoenix Arizona. Stephen John Nash, OC, OBC (born 7 February 1974 is a Canadian professional Basketball player who plays Point guard for the

O'Neal going in for a layup with the Heat.
O'Neal going in for a layup with the Heat.

In August 2005, O'Neal signed a 5-year-extension with the Heat for $100 million. Supporters applauded O'Neal's willingness to take what amounted to a pay cut, and the Heat's decision to secure O'Neal's services for the long term. They contend that O'Neal was worth more than $20 million per year, particularly given that considerably less valuable players earn almost the same amount. Critics, however, questioned the wisdom of the move, characterizing it as overpaying an aging and often injured player.

In the second game of the 2005–06 season, O'Neal injured his right ankle and subsequently missed the following 18 games. The 2005–06 NBA season was the 60th season of the National Basketball Association. Many critics stated that Heat coach Pat Riley correctly managed O'Neal during the rest of the season, limiting his minutes to a career low. Patrick James Riley (born March 20 1945 is a former American National Basketball Association head coach and current team president of the Miami Heat. Riley felt doing so would allow O'Neal to be healthier and fresher come playoff time. Although O'Neal averaged career lows (or near-lows) in points, rebounds, and blocks, he said in an interview "Stats don't matter. I care about winning, not stats. If I score 0 points and we win I'm happy. If I score 50, 60 points, break the records, and we lose, I'm pissed off. 'Cause I knew I did something wrong. I'll have a hell of a season if I win the championship and average 20 points a game. " During the 2005–06 season, the Heat recorded only a . 500 record without O'Neal in the line-up.

On April 11, 2006, Shaquille O'Neal recorded his second career triple-double against the Toronto Raptors with 15 points, 11 rebounds and a career high 10 assists. Events 491 - Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, with the name of Anastasius I. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. A triple-double is a Basketball term defined as an individual performance in a game in which a player accumulates double-digit totals (i The Toronto Raptors are a professional Basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario.

O'Neal finished the season as the league leader in field goal percentage; he joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only two players in league history to lead the league in field goal percentage nine times. Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain (August 21 1936&ndashOctober 12 1999 nicknamed Wilt the Stilt, The Big Dipper, and Chairman of the Boards

In the 2006 NBA Playoffs, the Miami Heat would go on to win their first NBA Championship. The 2006 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association 's 2005-06 season. Led by both O'Neal and star Dwyane Wade, the 2nd seeded Heat defeated the defending Eastern Conference Champion and top-seeded Detroit Pistons in a rematch of the 2005 Conference Finals, and then defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the 2006 NBA Finals. Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr (born January 17 1982) is an American professional Basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area The Dallas Mavericks (also known as the Mavs) are the professional Basketball team of the National Basketball Association based in Dallas Texas The 2006 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005-06 National Basketball Association season.

O'Neal holding the championship ball when the NBA Champion Heat visited the White House
O'Neal holding the championship ball when the NBA Champion Heat visited the White House

O'Neal put up considerably lower numbers compared to those he recorded during the 2005–06 regular season, but he twice delivered dominant games in order to close out a playoff series: a 30-point, 20-rebound effort in Game 6 against the Chicago Bulls in the first round, and a 28-point, 16-rebound, 5-block effort in Game 6 against the Pistons. The Chicago Bulls are an American professional Basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern It was O'Neal's fourth title in seven seasons, and fulfilled his promise of delivering an NBA championship to Miami. At the victory celebration O’Neal declared another championship was on the way, saying, "We will see you again next year!"

In the 2006–07 season O'Neal missed over thirty games with a right knee injury. The 2006–07 NBA season was the 61st season of the National Basketball Association. The Miami Heat struggled during his absence but with his return won seven of their next eight games. Bad luck still haunted the squad however, as fellow superstar Dwyane Wade dislocated his left shoulder, leaving O'Neal as the focus of the team. Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr (born January 17 1982) is an American professional Basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat Critics were doubting if O'Neal, now in his mid thirties, was able to put the team on his shoulders and if he could carry them into the playoffs. The Heat went on a much needed winning streak to keep them in the race for a playoff spot, which the Heat finally secured against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 5. The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known as the Cavs) are a professional Basketball team based in Cleveland Ohio. Events 456 - St Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop

In a rematch of the year before, the Heat faced the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. The Heat struggled against the Bulls and although O'Neal put up reasonable numbers, he was not able to dominate the series. The Bulls outplayed the Heat, resulting in a sweep. It was for the first time in ten years that O'Neal did not advance into the second round.

In the 2006–07 season O'Neal reached 25,000 career points, becoming the 14th player in NBA history to accomplish that milestone. Despite this milestone, the 2006–07 season was the first in his career in which O'Neal's scoring average dropped below 20 points per game.

O'Neal experienced a rough start for the 2007–08 season, averaging career lows in points, rebounds and blocks. His role in the Heat offense diminished, as he attempted only 10 field goals per game, in comparison with his career average of 17. In addition, O'Neal was plagued by fouls, and during one stretch fouled out five consecutive games. As a result of his poor performance and lengthy court absences, O'Neal's 14 straight All-Star appearances ended that season, as he was neither selected as a starter nor as a reserve in the game at New Orleans. The National Basketball Association staged its first All-Star Game in the Boston Garden on March 2, 1951. The 2008 NBA All-Star Game took place on February 17, 2008 at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans Louisiana

Phoenix Suns

Shaquille O'Neal as a member of the Suns against the New Orleans Hornets, February 27 2008
Shaquille O'Neal as a member of the Suns against the New Orleans Hornets, February 27 2008

The Phoenix Suns acquired O'Neal from the Miami Heat in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. The Phoenix Suns are a professional Basketball team based in Phoenix Arizona. Shawn Dwayne Marion or just called The Matrix (born May 7 1978 in Waukegan Illinois) is an American professional Basketball Arthur Lemarcus Banks III, commonly known as Marcus Banks (born November 19 1981 in Las Vegas Nevada) is an American professional O'Neal made his Suns debut on February 20, 2008 against his former Lakers team, scoring 15 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in the process. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Lakers won, 130-124. O'Neal was upbeat in a post-game press conference, stating: "I will take the blame for this loss because I wasn't in tune with the guys [. . . ] But give me four or five days to really get in tune and I'll get it. "[6]

Nonetheless, in 28 regular season games, O'Neal averaged 12. 9 points and 10. 6 rebounds in his first year with the Suns,[7] reaching the playoffs. The 2008 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association 's 2007-08 season which ended with the Eastern Conference champion Boston One of the alleged reasons for the trade was to limit Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs in case of a series during the postseason, especially after the Suns elimination in the 2007 NBA Playoffs. WikipediaPersondata --> Timothy "Tim" Theodore Duncan (born April 25 1976 in Christiansted, St The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional Basketball team based in San Antonio Texas. The 2007 NBA Playoffs was the postseason to the National Basketball Association 's 2006-2007 season. [8] O'Neal and the Phoenix Suns did face the San Antonio Spurs in first round of the playoffs, yet they were once again eliminated in five games. In the series, O'Neal averaged 15. 2 points, 9. 2 rebounds and 1. 0 assists per game. [7]

Player profile

O'Neal's free throw shooting is regarded as one of his major weaknesses.
O'Neal's free throw shooting is regarded as one of his major weaknesses.

In his career, O'Neal established himself as a formidable low post presence, putting up lifetime averages of 25. 2 points on . 581 field goal accuracy, 11. 5 rebounds and 2. 4 blocks per game (as of May 2008).

At 7 ft 1 in (2. 16 m), 325 lb (147 kg/23. The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass 2 st)[9] and U. The stone is a unit of Weight. It is part of the Imperial system of weights and measures used in the British Isles, and formerly used in most S. shoe size 23,[10] he is famous for his physical stature. A shoe size is a numerical indication of the fitting size of a Shoe for a person His physical frame gives him a power advantage over most opponents, and for a man of that size, he is quick and explosive. His "drop step", (called the "Black Tornado" by O’Neal) in which he posts up a defender, turns around and, using his elbows for leverage, powers past him for a very high-percentage slam dunk, has proven an extremely effective offensive weapon, though it has been limited in recent years. Basketball moves are generally individual actions used by players to pass by defenders to gain access to the basket or to get a clean pass to a teammate A slam dunk (or simply a dunk) is a type of Basketball shot that is performed when a player jumps in the air and manually powers the ball downward through the basket In addition, O'Neal frequently uses a right-handed jump hook shot to score near the basket. A hook shot, in Basketball, is a play in which the offensive player usually turned perpendicular to the basket gently throws the ball with a sweeping motion of his arm The ability to dunk frequently contributes to his lifetime field goal accuracy of . 580; he is the second most accurate shooter of all time. [11]

Opposing teams often use up many fouls on O’Neal, limiting the playing time of their own big men. O'Neal's physical presence inside the paint has caused dramatic changes in many teams' offensive and defensive strategies that can be seen over the course of his career. Trying to defend O'Neal, teams put two, or sometimes even three defenders on him, resulting in uncontested shot opportunities for his teammates. A double team in Basketball is defending one offensive player with two defensive players

On his own half of the hardwood, O'Neal is considered to be a capable defender, and he was named three times to the All-NBA Second Defensive Team. His presence serves to intimidate opposing players shooting near the basket, and he has averaged 2. 4 blocked shots per game over the course of his career. He is a less effective defender at the perimeter, sometimes targeted for pick-and-roll plays by opposing teams. The pick and roll (also called screen and roll or shortened to screen-roll, any of which may be hyphenated in Basketball is an offensive play in which

O'Neal has been able to step up his performance in big games, having been voted three-times NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. In US- Sports terminology " clutch " means performing well under extreme pressure However, because of his poor free-throw shooting (see below), often he is either placed on the bench, or not called upon to take shots, in the closing moments of games, when free throws become important. Main article Basketball moves In Basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points from a restricted

As a teammate, he is also noted for his ability to form symbiotic relationships with young, talented guards. This article is about the biological phenomenon for other uses see Symbiosis (disambiguation The term symbiosis (from the Greek Playing alongside O'Neal, talents like Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade blossomed into legitimate superstars. Anfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway (born July 18 1971, in Memphis Tennessee) is an American professional Basketball player Kobe Bean Bryant (born) is an American All-Star Shooting guard Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr (born January 17 1982) is an American professional Basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat Eventually, his relationships with Hardaway and Bryant soured, however O'Neal has embraced his relationship with Wade, and the two have shown to be fully supportive of each other in their three years together.

O'Neal's primary weakness is his free-throw shooting. His lifetime average is 52. 4%. He once missed all 11 free throws in a game against the Seattle SuperSonics on December 8, 2000, a record. The Seattle SuperSonics (also called the Seattle Sonics) were an American professional Basketball team based in Seattle Washington that played Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. [12] In hope of exploiting O'Neal's poor foul shooting, opponents often commit intentional fouls against him, a tactic known as "Hack-a-Shaq". Hack-a-Shaq is the name commonly ascribed to a Basketball defensive Strategy initially O'Neal is the fourth-ranked player all-time in free throws taken,[13] having shot 9744 in 971 games.

NBA regular season statistics

Season Team G GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG MPG FG% FT%
1992-93 Orlando Magic 81 81 23. 4 13. 9 1. 9 0. 7 3. 5 37. 9 . 562 . 592
1993-94 Orlando Magic 81 81 29. 3 13. 2 2. 4 0. 9 2. 8 39. 8 . 599 . 554
1994–95 Orlando Magic 79 79 29. 3 11. 4 2. 7 0. 9 2. 4 37. 0 . 583 . 533
1995-96 Orlando Magic 54 52 26. 6 11. 0 2. 9 0. 6 2. 1 36. 0 . 573 . 487
1996-97 Los Angeles Lakers 51 51 26. 2 12. 5 3. 1 0. 9 2. 9 38. 1 . 557 . 484
1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers 60 57 28. 3 11. 4 2. 4 0. 6 2. 4 36. 3 . 584 . 527
1998-99 Los Angeles Lakers 49 49 26. 3 10. 7 2. 3 0. 7 1. 7 34. 8 . 576 . 540
1999–00 Los Angeles Lakers 79 79 29. 7 13. 6 3. 8 0. 5 3. 0 40. 0 . 574 . 524
2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers 74 74 28. 7 12. 7 3. 7 0. 6 2. 8 39. 5 . 572 . 513
2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers 67 66 27. 2 10. 7 3. 0 0. 6 2. 0 36. 1 . 579 . 555
2002-03 Los Angeles Lakers 67 66 27. 5 11. 1 3. 1 0. 6 2. 4 37. 8 . 574 . 622
2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers 67 67 21. 5 11. 5 2. 9 0. 5 2. 5 36. 8 . 584 . 490
2004-05 Miami Heat 73 73 22. 9 10. 4 2. 7 0. 5 2. 3 34. 1 . 601 . 461
2005–06 Miami Heat 59 58 20. 0 9. 2 1. 9 0. 4 1. 8 30. 6 . 600 . 469
2006-07 Miami Heat 40 39 17. 3 7. 4 2. 0 0. 2 1. 4 28. 4 . 591 . 422
2007-08 Miami Heat-Phoenix Suns 56 56 13. 6 8. 9 1. 6 0. 5 1. 5 28. 9 . 590 . 498
Career 4 teams 1037 1028 25. 3 11. 5 2. 7 0. 6 2. 4 36. 2 . 580 . 524

Music career

From 1993, O'Neal has pursued a rapping career. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) He has released 5 studio albums and 1 compilation album. A studio album is an original collection of new tracks by a recording artist A compilation album is an Album ( Music or Spoken-word) featuring tracks from one or multiple Recording artists, often culled from a variety of Although his rapping abilities have often been criticized,[14][15] it has been noted that he has continuously been "progressing as a rapper in small steps, not leaps and bounds. "[16]

His 1993 debut album, Shaq Diesel, received platinum certification from the RIAA. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Shaq Diesel is a 1993 rap album by NBA basketball player Shaquille O'Neal.

Discography

Albums

Album Information
Shaq Diesel
Shaq-Fu: Da Return
You Can't Stop the Reign
Respect
Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1

Compilations

Album Information
The Best of Shaquille O'Neal

Soundtracks

Album Information
Kazaam
Steel
  • Released: July 29, 1997
  • Chart Positions: #185 Us, #26 Top R&B/Hip Hop
  • Last RIAA certification: Gold
  • Singles: "Men of Steel", "Straight Playin'"

Guest appearances

Filmography

Media personality

O'Neal is generally liked by the media for his playful tone in interviews and generally eloquent manner in comparison to other athletes. Melvin Glover (born May 15, 1961 in The Bronx New York) also known by his stage name Grandmaster Mele Mel, and formerly Grandmaster Melle Luniz (formerly Lunitunz) is a platinum-selling rap duo from Oakland, California formed by rappers Yukmouth and Numskull Charles Wilson may refer toPoliticians Charles Wilson (Texas politician (born 1933 U The yo-yo is a Toy consisting of two equally sized and weighted disks of Plastic, Wood, or Metal, connected with an Axle, with a Roger Troutman ( November 29 1951 &ndash April 25 1999) was the lead singer of the band Zapp who helped to pave the way for Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1970 in Long Beach California) better known by his Stage name Warren G, is an American Westside Connection is a group originally consisting of Ice Cube, WC and Mack 10. Blue Chips is a 1994 Drama film about Basketball, starring Nick Nolte as a college coach and real-life basketball Kazaam is a 1996 Comedy that stars Shaquille O'Neal as the title character a Genie, who appears from a magic Boombox Good Burger is a 1997 Comedy film from Paramount Pictures directed by Brian Robbins and starring Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell Steel is a 1997 Superhero film starring Basketball star Shaquille O'Neal and future X-Files star Annabeth He Got Game is a 1998 sports - drama Film written and directed by Spike Lee, and starring Denzel Washington and The Wash is a hip-hop -styled Film released on November 16, 2001 featuring Dr Freddy Got Fingered ( 2001) is a Comedy Film directed by written by and starring Tom Green. Scary Movie 4 is the fourth film of the Scary Movie franchise and is directed by David Zucker, written by Jim Abrahams An interview is a conversation between two or more people (the interviewer and the interviewee where Questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from This has been the main contributing factor in O'Neal's lack of media criticism. He has been called "The Big Aristotle and Hobo Master", a name that was self-given, for his composure and insights during these interviews.

During the 2000 Screen Actors Guild strike, O'Neal performed in a commercial for Disney. The Screen Actors Guild ( SAG) is an American labor union representing over 120000 Film and television principal performers and background O'Neal was fined by the union for crossing the picket line. [17] [18]

O'Neal's humorous and sometimes incendiary comments fueled the Los Angeles Lakers' long standing rivalry with the Sacramento Kings; O'Neal frequently referred to the Sacramento team as the "Queens. The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA team based in Los Angeles, California. The Sacramento Kings are a professional Basketball team based in Sacramento California. " During the 2002 victory parade, O'Neal declared that Sacramento will never be the capital of California, after the Lakers beat the Kings in a tough seven game series enroute to completing a three-peat of championship titles. Three-peat is a Portmanteau of the words three and repeat, which has been trademarked for commercial use by basketball coach Pat Riley. He also received some media flak for mocking Chinese speech when interviewed about newcomer center Yao Ming, but he was able to downplay the media attention to the event. Ching chong is an Ethnic slur used to mock people of Chinese ancestry or other Asians who may look Chinese and an Onomatopoeia Yao Ming ( born September 12 1980 is a Professional basketball player who plays for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA O'Neal told a reporter, "you tell Yao Ming, ching chong yang, wah, ah so". Yao himself stated he did not find it offensive, but could see how others might misinterpret the remark as a racist comment. Yao replied that Chinese is a difficult language to learn. O'Neal's supporters said it was a reaction to Yao being over promoted by marketers and the media. Some blame this hype for allowing Yao to edge O'Neal in fan voting for the starting position of center at the All-Star Game.

During the 2005 NBA playoffs, O'Neal lamented of his poor play due to injury as being comparable to Erick Dampier, a Dallas Mavericks center who had failed to score a single point in one of their recent games. Erick Travez Dampier (born July 14, 1975, in New Hebron Mississippi) is an American professional Basketball player The Dallas Mavericks (also known as the Mavs) are the professional Basketball team of the National Basketball Association based in Dallas Texas The quip inspired countless citations and references by announcers during those playoffs, though Dampier himself offered little response to the insult. The two would meet in the 2006 NBA Finals. The 2006 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005-06 National Basketball Association season.

On May 24, 2005, when Brian Hill was re-announced as head coach of his former team, the Orlando Magic, O'Neal was quoted as saying, "It's good that he's back. Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Brian Hill (born September 19, 1947 in East Orange New Jersey) is an American Basketball coach formerly in the NBA. When I buy the team Magic in three years, he'll be working for me. The Orlando Magic is a professional Basketball team based in Orlando Florida. " Whether or not this will raise speculation of O'Neal's life after playing basketball remains to be seen. [19]

He is very vocal with the media, and often jabs at former Laker teammate Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bean Bryant (born) is an American All-Star Shooting guard In the summer of 2005, when asked about Kobe, he responded, "I'm sorry, who?" and continued to pretend that he did not know who Kobe was until well into the 2005-2006 season.

He has also appeared in many other shows such as Saturday Night Live and in 2007 hosted Shaq's Big Challenge, a reality show on ABC where he challenged Florida kids to lose weight and stay in shape. Saturday Night Live ( SNL) is a weekly late-night 90-minute American Sketch comedy / Variety show based in New York City Shaq's Big Challenge is a reality Television show hosted by Shaquille O'Neal that debuted on ABC with its first episode on June

When the Lakers faced the Miami Heat on January 16, 2006, O'Neal and Kobe Bryant made headlines by engaging in handshakes and hugs before the game, an event that is believed to signify the end of the so-called "Shaq-Kobe feud" that had festered since the center left Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA team based in Los Angeles, California. The Miami Heat (often referred to simply as the Heat, including in some official team publications with HEAT in all capital letters are a professional Basketball Events 27 BC - The title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian by the Roman Senate. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Kobe Bean Bryant (born) is an American All-Star Shooting guard The " Shaq-Kobe feud " was the "bitter rivalry" between Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, who played together on the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West O'Neal was quoted as saying that he accepted the advice of NBA legend Bill Russell to make peace with Bryant. William Felton "Bill" Russell (born February 12 1934 in Monroe, Louisiana) is a retired American professional Basketball [20]

O'Neal has several nicknames, some of which have been given by the media. Some of the most common ones are "Shaq", "The Diesel", "Shaq Fu", "The Big Aristotle", "The Big Daddy", "Superman", "The Big Agave", "The Big Cactus", "The Big Shaqtus", "Wilt Chamberneezy", "The Big Baryshnikov", "The Real Deal" and most recently, after earning his MBA, "Dr. A diesel engine is an Internal combustion engine which operates using the Diesel cycle (named after Dr Shaq Fu is a Fighting game released on the Sega Genesis, Sega Game Gear, Super Nintendo, and Game Boy game platforms Aristotle (Greek Aristotélēs) (384 BC – 322 BC was a Greek philosopher a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. Superman is a fictional Comic book Superhero widely considered to be one of the most recognized of such characters and an American Cultural icon Agave is a succulent Plant of a large Botanical Genus of the same name belonging to the family Agavaceae. Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain (August 21 1936&ndashOctober 12 1999 nicknamed Wilt the Stilt, The Big Dipper, and Chairman of the Boards Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov (Михаил Николаевич Барышников (born January 27, 1948) is a Soviet -born Russian The Master of Business Administration ( MBA) is a Master's degree in Business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines Shaq". [21][22]

Personal life

O'Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey. Newark is the largest city in New Jersey, United States and the County seat of Essex County. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. He remains estranged from his biological father, Joseph Toney of Newark. Toney has struggled with drug addiction and was imprisoned when O'Neal was an infant. Upon his release, Toney did not resume a place in O'Neal's life and instead agreed to surrender his parental rights to O'Neal's stepfather, Phillip A. Harrison, an army sergeant. [23] O'Neal and Toney have never spoken, and O'Neal has expressed no interest in a reconciliation. [24] On his 1994 rap album, Shaq Fu: The Return, O'Neal voiced his feelings of disdain for Toney in the song "Biological Didn't Bother", referring to Harrison with the verse, "Phil is my father. Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with "

In his mansion in Orlando, Florida, O'Neal has a homemade movie theater with two rows of five retractable chairs, Superman lights, another Superman symbol on the floor, a big screen, another superman symbol on his blanket, and 5. Orlando is a major City in central Florida, USA and is the County seat of Orange County Florida. Cinemaaustraliajpg|thumb|A movie theater in Australia ]]A movie theater, movie theatre, picture theatre or cinema is a venue Superman is a fictional Comic book Superhero widely considered to be one of the most recognized of such characters and an American Cultural icon 1 surround sound. O'Neal also has an inside basketball court where he says he knows he's not good at free throws so any down time he has he practices shooting free throws. In Basketball, the basketball court is the playing surface consisting of a rectangular floor with baskets at either end

O'Neal, whose mother, Lucille (née O'Neal), is a Baptist and stepfather a Muslim, has not formally announced affiliation with a specific faith though in 2002, the Los Angeles Times identified O'Neal as being Muslim. Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging to a Baptist church or a Baptist denomination. A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion The Los Angeles Times (also known as the LA Times) is a daily Newspaper published in Los Angeles California and distributed The newspaper quoted him as saying, "It's a Muslim thing", with regard to the greetings he exchanged with opposing player Hedo Turkoglu before each game of that year's Western Conference Finals series. Hidayet Türkoğlu, commonly referred to as Hedo Turkoglu (born March 19 1979 in Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey. The newspaper also quoted Turkoglu as saying that he was not surprised at the gesture from O'Neal "because Muslim people support each other. "[25]

O'Neal married Shaunie Nelson on December 26, 2002. Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The couple have four children (Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me'arah, ages ranging from 6 to 1, in order), and Nelson has one child from a previous relationship (Myles, 8). O'Neal also has a daughter from a previous relationship (Taahirah, 9), making him the father of six. The family currently resides on Star Island in Miami, Florida. Star Island is a oval-shaped Artificial island in Biscayne Bay, USA between Miami and the island of Miami Beach Florida and south of the On September 4, 2007, O'Neal filed for divorce from his wife Shaunie in a Miami-Dade Circuit court. Events 476 - Romulus Augustus, last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, is deposed when Odoacer proclaims himself Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. According to the petition, "The marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken", and that Shaunie was "secretive about her assets . . . particularly with respect to certain properties owned or titled in either [her] name alone or in other entities" and requests that the court require Shaunie to give a "correct accounting of all money, funds, stocks, bonds, and other securities (including bearer securities)"

Off court

O'Neal left LSU for the NBA after three years. However, he promised his mother he would eventually return to his studies and complete his bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree is usually an Undergraduate Academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three four or in some cases and He fulfilled that promise in 2000, earning his bachelor of arts in general studies. [26] Coach Phil Jackson let O'Neal miss a home game so he could attend graduation. Philip Douglas Jackson (born September 17 1945 in Deer Lodge, Montana) is a retired American Basketball player and current coach of the At the ceremony, he told the crowd "now I can go and get a real job". Subsequently, O'Neal earned a MBA online through the University of Phoenix in 2005. The Master of Business Administration ( MBA) is a Master's degree in Business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines The University of Phoenix ( UPX) is a for-profit educational institution that specializes in Adult education. He has stated his intentions to begin work on his doctoral degree in criminology or art history in 2006. A doctorate is an Academic degree that indicates the highest level of academic achievement Schools of thought In the mid-18th century criminology arose as social philosophers gave thought to crime and concepts of law Art history is the Academic study of objects of Art in their Historical development and stylistic contexts i

It's just something to have on my resume for when I go back into reality. Someday I might have to put down a basketball and have a regular 9-to-5 like everybody else. [27]

— Shaquille O'Neal, in reference to his completion of an MBA degree

Also, Shaquille O'Neal has maintained a high level of interest in the workings of the police department and has become personally involved in law enforcement. O'Neal went through the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Reserve Academy and became a reserve officer with the L. A. Port Police. He is seen in a commercial for ESPN in Miami Police garb climbing up a tree to rescue LSU mascot Mike the Tiger. The Miami Police Department or MPD, often referred to as the City of Miami Police, is the chief police department of the U Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, generally known as Louisiana State University or LSU, is a public, Coeducational Mike the Tiger is the official Mascot of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and serves as the graphic image of LSU sports On March 2, 2005, he was given an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal title and named the spokesman for the Safe Surfin' Foundation; he will serve an honorary role on the task force of the same name, which tracks down sexual predators who target children on the Internet. Events 986 - Louis V becomes King of the Franks. 1127 - Assassination of Charles the Good Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [28] Upon his trade to Miami, O'Neal began training to become a Miami Beach reserve officer; on December 8, 2005, he was sworn in as a reserve officer (he elected a private ceremony so not to distract the other officers from their special moment). Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Shortly thereafter, in Miami, O'Neal was a witness to a hate crime and called Miami-Dade police, giving them a description of the suspect and helping police, over his cell phone, track the offender. Hate crimes (also known as bias motivated crimes) occur when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her membership in a certain Social group, usually defined O'Neal credits this as his first "arrest". O'Neal is looking to expand his business ventures with real-estate-development projects aimed at assisting Orlando homeowners facing foreclosure. Orlando is a major City in central Florida, USA and is the County seat of Orange County Florida. Foreclosure is the legal proceeding in which a mortgagee, or other Lienholder, usually a lender obtains a court ordered termination of a mortgagor His plans involve buying the mortgages of those who have fell into foreclosure and then selling the homes back under more affordable terms. A mortgage is the pledging of a property to a Lender as a security for a Mortgage loan. He would make a small profit in return, but overall, O'Neal is looking to make an investment in Orlando and help out the homeowners of the city. [29]

Notable incidents

In the summer of 2001, holding a basketball camp on the campus of Louisiana State University, O'Neal was challenged by LSU alumnus and current Boston Celtics player Glen "Big Baby" Davis, then 15 years of age and attending high school, to a friendly wrestling match, in which O'Neal, weighing 350 lb (160 kg/25 st), was lifted and body-slammed to the ground, leaving an impression on him. Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, generally known as Louisiana State University or LSU, is a public, Coeducational The Louisiana State Tigers Basketball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I men's College basketball. The Boston Celtics are an American professional Basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, playing in the Atlantic Division of the Ronald Glen Davis (born January 1, 1986 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) commonly referred to as Glen Davis and nicknamed Big The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass The stone is a unit of Weight. It is part of the Imperial system of weights and measures used in the British Isles, and formerly used in most Professional wrestling throws are the application of techniques that involve lifting the opponent up and throwing or slamming him or her down which makes up most of the action of [30]

During a shootaround prior to the season opener versus the Utah Jazz in 1997, O'Neal got into a spat with Utah center Greg Ostertag, slapping him and sending him tumbling to the floor. The Utah Jazz is a professional Basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Gregory Donovan Ostertag (born March 6, 1973, in Dallas, Texas) is a retired American Basketball player who spent most O'Neal was suspended for the incident. He did not play in the game, due to an abdomen injury.

Television and video game appearances

See also

References

  1. ^ Shaquille O’Neal
  2. ^ NBA.com: Trophies For Everybody
  3. ^ Shaq timeline. Idol Gives Back is the name of a charitable campaign that spanned two episodes of American Idol during its sixth season. The following is a list of individual National Basketball Association scoring leaders by season. List of National Basketball Association players who have scored 60 or more points in a single game South Florida Sun-Sentinel (2004-07-11). "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy. Retrieved on 2007-03-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 161 - Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus
  4. ^ O'Neal to get degree from LSU (2000-12-12). 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Retrieved on 2007-03-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 161 - Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus
  5. ^ barrystickets. com, O'Neal: LSU Hall of Fame, accessed, March 3, 2007
  6. ^ ESPN - Daily Dime: Shaq gets the spotlight, while Kobe gets the game ESPN.com
  7. ^ a b Shaquille O'Neal career stats and splits NBA.com
  8. ^ Why Shaq? Here’s Why dimemag. Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ESPN, originally an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American Cable television network dedicated to com
  9. ^ http://www.nba.com/suns/news/tribune_080207_shaq.html
  10. ^ NBA.com : Shaquille O'Neal Bio Page
  11. ^ Career Leaders and Records for Field Goal Pct - Basketball-Reference.com
  12. ^ NBA.com: Regular Season Records: Free Throws
  13. ^ Career Leaders and Records for Free Throw Attempts - Basketball-Reference.com
  14. ^ "Shaq Diesel" review allmusicguide.com
  15. ^ "You Can't Stop the Reign" review ew.com
  16. ^ "Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1" review allmusicguide.com
  17. ^ Admen strike back against SAG/AFTRA - Entertainment News, Business News, Media - Variety
  18. ^ BBC News | ENTERTAINMENT | Sports stars break Hollywood strike
  19. ^ [1]
  20. ^ ESPN - Miami vs. Los Angeles - Recap - January 16, 2006
  21. ^ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/extramustard/04/03/hotclicks.0403/index.html SI. allmusic (previously All Music Guide) is a Metadata database about music owned by All Media Guide. Entertainment Weekly (sometimes abbreviated as EW) is a Magazine published by Time Inc allmusic (previously All Music Guide) is a Metadata database about music owned by All Media Guide. Events 27 BC - The title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian by the Roman Senate. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. com - Extra Mustard - April, 3, 2008
  22. ^ CNNSI.com - SI Writers - Jack McCallum - Inside the NBA - SI's Jack McCallum: Sizing up Shaq - Tuesday December 10, 2002 01:08 PM
  23. ^ Shaquille O'Neal Biography (1972-)
  24. ^ Plaschke, Bill. Events 1041 - Empress Zoe of Byzantium elevates her adoptive son to the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire as Michael V See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. "Biological dad 'dead' to Shaq", The Cincinnati Post (Los Angeles Times), E. W. Scripps Company, 2002-06-12. The Cincinnati Post is a discontinued afternoon daily newspaper that was published in Cincinnati Ohio. The Los Angeles Times (also known as the LA Times) is a daily Newspaper published in Los Angeles California and distributed The EW Scripps Company ( is an American Media conglomerate founded by Edward W See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. Archived from the original on 2007-05-21. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily.  
  25. ^ Brown, Tim and Bill Plaschke. William P "Bill" Plaschke (born September 6, 1958 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American journalist who has written for the (2002, May 29). Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the " Laker Notes", Los Angeles Times, Page D. The Los Angeles Times (also known as the LA Times) is a daily Newspaper published in Los Angeles California and distributed 6
  26. ^ O'Neal to get degree from LSU - Sports
  27. ^ The Big Executive? Shaq masters MBA - NBA - MSNBC.com
  28. ^ SI.com - NBA - Shaq goes undercover for Justice Dept. probe - Wednesday May 25, 2005 2:56 p. Events 1085 - Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo Spain back from the Moors. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. m.
  29. ^ Schlueb, Mark (2008-06-11). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes. "Shaq: I can help homeowners fight off foreclosure". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved on 2008-06-11. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes.
  30. ^ Patrick Parker, Shaq vs. Big Baby, ESPN.com, March 27, 2008. ESPNcom is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc Events 196 BC - Ptolemy V ascends to the throne of Egypt. 1309 - Pope Clement V excommunicates 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  31. ^ The World's Finest - Static Shock
  32. ^ Shaquille O'Neal at the Internet Movie Database

Salarie reference: http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealsh01.html

Further reading

O'Neal's autobiography Shaq Talks Back
O'Neal's autobiography Shaq Talks Back

External links

Persondata
NAME O'Neal, Shaquille Rashaun
ALTERNATIVE NAMES the Diesel; the Big Aristotle; Superman
SHORT DESCRIPTION Professional basketball player
DATE OF BIRTH March 6, 1972
PLACE OF BIRTH Newark, New Jersey
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
Events 1079 - Omar Khayyám completes the Iranian calendar. 1454 - Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Newark is the largest city in New Jersey, United States and the County seat of Essex County. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States.
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