In the realm of professional basketball, Shaquille O’Neal is undeniably one of the most exceptional athletes to have graced the court. While O’Neal showcased his dominance from the very beginning of his career with the Orlando Magic, it was during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers that he truly reached his peak as the most formidable player in the league. O’Neal played a pivotal role in securing three NBA Championships for the Lakers before eventually joining the Miami Heat. Although O’Neal’s impact with the Heat did not match his previous achievements with the Lakers, he still contributed to the team’s success in securing one NBA title. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that both franchises chose to retire O’Neal’s jersey as a testament to his immense contributions. However, the recent retirement of O’Neal’s jersey by the Magic has sparked controversy, particularly for Chris Russo, as he expressed on “First Take” via Twitter. Russo dissected O’Neal’s career, highlighting the fact that he faced defeat against the Chicago Bulls and the Houston Rockets led by Hakeem Olajuwon, before ultimately leaving the Magic to join the Lakers. Based on these factors, Russo argues that O’Neal did not deserve the honor of having his jersey retired by the organization. Nevertheless, it is difficult to deny that O’Neal is arguably the greatest player to have ever represented the Magic, as evidenced by the fact that he became the first player in the franchise’s history to receive such an accolade. Furthermore, it is worth noting that O’Neal is only the third player in NBA history to have his jersey retired by three different franchises.
According to the Source thecoldwire.com