Should Shaquille O’Neal Retire From Miami Heat?November 05 07 Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune argues that Shaquille O’Neal is finished: Shaquille O’Neal is done. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sought a buyout after this season, his 16th ... O’Neal didn’t reach double figures in any category in his first two games, shooting 40 percent from the field and 14 percent on free throws. Scouts have commented on his lack of mobility.
"I did what I was supposed to," O’Neal said of passing out of double-teams.
No. Good big men can move and beat double-teams. O’Neal doesn’t seem able to do that anymore. Miami, by the way, lost again Sunday to Charlotte and is on a 16-game losing streak that includes the last two last season, a playoff sweep by the Bulls, an 0-7 mark in exhibitions and an 0-3 to start the season. Dwyane Wade had better be a combination of Jordan and Scottie Pippen when he returns.
My Quick Take: Quitting while you’re ahead isn’t the same as quitting. Miami has opened the season with three straight loses and Shaq looks like he should have quit years ago. His mobility is gone. His athleticism is gone. His touch is gone. And his conditioning, well, that’s been gone for years, too. O’Neal, as poorly as he’s played, isn’t hanging-on Evander Holyfield style. He still has value because he commands double-teams from opposing defenses. Throwing the ball inside to Shaq creates open looks for teammates. And one of those teammates will soon be the great Dwyane Wade. Right now, ’Flash’ is recovering from another injury. The superstar hasn’t played regularly since the 2006 playoffs, when he led Miami to an NBA Title. With Shaq drawing extra defenders down-low, Wade will have more room to operate. And Miami should become a different team and secure a playoff spot. But if his reunion with Wade fails, then Shaq should seriously consider quitting. There would be no point in staying on. Should Shaq retire? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.
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Posted by
latasha
on 11.8.2007 | I think they should leave shaq alone he made it this far he can keep going so cut him some slack how would u feel ? . | Posted by
Shaqdiesel
on 11.7.2007 | Shaq is , still and was the best big man to play the game . nobody has the domaince he has nobody has ever in nba history have had 4 new rules added to the game just because of his domanation . You know your a bada@# when they gotta make rules to stop ya from being so good . and now that they have made these rules shaq can barley move with the ball without some weak player floping . and then eveybody says he aint got the moves he used to ,he cant cause everythings a foul . and i dont who ya are shaq was a bad mofo in orlando and dwight gonna be next . | Posted by
DIALLO
on 11.6.2007 | COME BACK TO L.A. SHAQ. HE WILL BE PLAYIN WITH KOBE, D-FISH AND LAMAR ODOM. LAKERS WITH BE BACK WITH SHOWTIME!!! . | Posted by
Kevin McHale
on 11.6.2007 | T-WOLVES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! . | Posted by
jigs
on 11.6.2007 | big man like him should have at least 10 rebounds per game, don’t think about scoring just grab rebounds... if he dont get 10 rebounds per game i think it’s time for him to consider retiremnent.... . | Posted by
dcartist
on 11.6.2007 | Retire?BIG men shouldn’t retire until you’ve squeezed every last bit of NBA caliber talent (and desire). Great big men have always played (and CONTRIBUTED) with their rebounding numbers going right down to single digits, and points under 20...Look at the end of Kareem’s career: Last 3 years he played, he put up 17, 15, and 10 points, with 7, 6, and 5 rebounds... but he was a key contributor to TWO championships and ONE NBA finals in 3 years.His teammate, Zo has played 6 straight seasons at a level below Shaq’s current performance, and he was helpful to Miami’s championship season.Bill Walton, Robert Parish, etc. etc. contributed huge to championships with less than half the ability that Shaq currently displays. Calling for him to retire is frankly, just SILLY, unless Shaq wants to. . | Posted by
on 11.5.2007 | Leave Shaq alone...i thought it took five, not one, basketball players to make a basketball team. I hope Shaq read each negative comment... . | Posted by
Kevin McHale
on 11.5.2007 | Oh yea and sign for the league minimum...I don’t spend money on talent . | Posted by
Kevin McHale
on 11.5.2007 | Go to the T-wolves! Train some young dudes . | Posted by
damontre
on 11.5.2007 | who ever think shaq will retire they most be out their rabit a-------mind . | Posted by
`Mariia <3
on 11.5.2007 | Kay, you guys all need to leave Shaq alone, and cut him some slack. Like the poor guys gettin old, He aint getin any younger, so obviously he aint gunna play the best as he can like he did for the Lakers. And if his teams losing, thats everyones fault not only Shaq’s fault its the whole teams. They sholdn’t all depend on him to win them the game, and maybe step there game up and put some effort into it just as much as Shaq is and maybe they’ll finally win without him. Hes worked his whole life for this, and all you can do is talk smack. I believe hes trying the best he can, so leave him alone. So keep on going Shaq, and dont quit, u made it this far now just keep on going, your living your dream what else do you want, we believe in you ♥ . | Posted by
Luis Bonilla
on 11.5.2007 | I dont think Shaq will retire this season, In fact in my opinion he has like two more seasons to play. He is a big man and the reason he is not playing the way we are used to see him play its beacause the season is barely beginig. Im pretty sure we’ll see how he lossens up as the season advances. . | Posted by
GO HEAT
on 11.5.2007 | i think the heat should trade shaq for what they can get now before they get barley anything. he sucks and cant play like he did in LA get some great players for shaq so wade and davis have someone that can play with them for years to come and get back to championship level the heat are 0-3 TRADE SHAQ . | Posted by
Feel tha Heat!
on 11.5.2007 | People are dissing Shaq for what? He is still putting up respectable numbers for being on his last leg, and not giving full effort. Not many players are able to do that. I say he still has one good year left. And maybe one more average year, before he’ll seriously have to hang up those big azz shoes . | Posted by
on 11.5.2007 | I agree with Oly ... Shaq has looked really terrible ... he’s on his last legs and he’s actually addressing Sam Smith’s article Belgian guy!!!!! . | Posted by
Belgianguy
on 11.5.2007 | Jezus, Oly, this is a bit far fetched.........................................they’ve only played three games, and the biggest problem is that shaq isnt exactly getting the ball to much. If i was Riley, i would start Alonzo just to let Shaq know that he should get his a-------out of the cookiejar and let HIMSELF take on a "Big Challenge"greetings from Belgianguy Dan Marino . |
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Oly Sandor | Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More |
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