Shaquille O’Neal had his story immortalized by the Orlando Magic. One of the greatest players in the NBA, Shaquille was honored by the team in a ceremony held last Tuesday night (13).
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With that, the pivot had his number 32 shirt retired by the Magic and became the first player in the history of the Florida franchise to receive the honor. Additionally, O’Neal also became the third former player in NBA history to have the number immortalized by three different teams. After the ceremony, the Orlando Magic lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-127.
Shaquille O’Neal spent four seasons with the Orlando Magic. The player was chosen by the team in first position in the 1992 Draft, when he was voted rookie of the year.
Shaq’s main campaign for the Magic was the 1994/95 Eastern Conference, when they lost the title to the Houston Rockets. With the player, the Orlando Magic were finalists the following season, but were defeated in the decision by Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.
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Shaquille also had his shirt immortalized by the Los Angeles Lakers, where he stood out after leaving the Magic and was a three-time NBA champion, and by the Miami Heat, the team with which he won the title in 2006.
With the honor from the Orlando Magic, O’Neal joins a select group of players who had their jerseys retired by three teams: only Wilt Chamberlain (Golden State Warriors, Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers) and Pete Maravich (Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks) achieved the feat.
“Of all the ceremonies, this is the most exciting. Playing for four years here and going to the Finals once, winning a ceremony and no one else can wear the number. I never thought I would reach this day. It means a lot because a lot of great players have played here, but for me to be the first is an honor. At the Lakers, I kind of forced it to happen because I wanted my name up there”, said Shaquille O’Neal.
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