Should the Lakers retire Shaq's jersey?

Shaq is obviously a player that should have his jersey retired. But Orlando definitely isn't going to do it, he left them high and dry. He's also only played on the Heat for a short amount of time (but that didn't stop them from retiring Jordan's jersey).

So that leaves the Lakers. In 8(?) seasons, he's giving them three championships, and a ton of memories for the franchise. He had his best years there also.

But he also caused a lot of problems, basically demanded the trade to Miami, and he hates Jerry Buss, the Lakers owner. He's probably not a favorite among Laker fans, either.

So should #34 be raised to the rafters when Shaq retires?

I voted NO....
Simply because Shaq wont want to retire it there.
At least thats what I think by all the things hes said bout LA.
Well mainly Kobe and Mitch Kupchek (dunno how to spell it).

I say yes they should, and it's likely they will. My reasoning is another number 34: Charles Barkley. Sir Charles didn't exactly leave Phoenix on good terms but in recent years reconciled with Jerry Colangelo and his number was raised to the rafters as he was added to the Suns' Ring of Honour. Shaq might not want to play there ever again, but I think he'll accept the gesture when his career is over.

If Miami win a championship its definitely going to be in Miami.
I think even if they dont they will prob do it in Miami.

EDIT: Actually I dunno startin to lean towards LA, unless as I said Miami win a championship.

No reason it can't be both if the Heat win the title. Wilt Chamberlain's jersey has been retired by the Lakers, Warriors and Sixers.

I think they will, because he had his best seasons there, and he won 3 championships with them.
Nuff' said.

No reason it can't be both if the Heat win the title. Wilt Chamberlain's jersey has been retired by the Lakers, Warriors and Sixers.

Oh can they retire it in several places?
Never knew that....

Absolutely. After all, #23 has been retired in honour of Michael Jordan for two clubs, one of which he never even played for.

They will mos. def. retire it.

Well Andrew, I learned something new today Didn't know jerseys could be retired in more than one city. Interesting.

That being said, then Shaq's jersey will be retired in LA. No question..maybe also in Miami one day..

Yeh i never knew it either....
I dont get where you said, "it got retired to a team he never even played for".
Referring to MJ.
But he did play for the Wizards.....

he borught 3 championships to LA
He is 1 of 4 players in NBA History with 3 or more Finals MVP
Joins the likes of
Michael Jordan
Magic Johnson
and now Tim Duncan as the only players with 3 or more Finals MVP.

Sorry Shaq-haters, he will be retired by the Lakers like it or not. If Miami gets 1 ring, he will be retired their too.

Yeh i never knew it either....
I dont get where you said, "it got retired to a team he never even played for".
Referring to MJ.
But he did play for the Wizards.....

The Wizards didn't retire #23, the Heat did. He never played for the Heat.

i knew that, i know my nba history (not all of it )
they must of been drunk when they decided to retire mj's jersey

but i think the Magic should retire his jersey, didnt he win rookie of the year award ther?

they'll prolly retire it when new management comes in

they must of been drunk when they decided to retire mj's jersey

It was a bit strange, certainly unprecedented in the NBA. But it's been done before in the NHL, or so I understand.

of course they should retire that number

Should the NBA retire number 23???

And Shaq will retire his jersey in LA... He has said how much he loves LA... I think!

Should the NBA retire number 23???

Even though I'm a Jordan fan, I don't think so. If they were going to do it, it should have been done a couple of years ago. It's not necessary in my opinion, it's not as though history will forget him.

The Wizards didn't retire #23, the Heat did. He never played for the Heat.

Whoa what??

Why did they do that?

As a sign of respect, before Michael Jordan's final game in Miami back in 2003.

I had no idea..that's cool. Is it a Miami Jersey? (sounds stupid) Or is it just a simple jersey with Jordan on it?

That's cool, thnx for lettin me know

It was actually a half red/half blue jersey made specially for it...

Heat retire jersey

The Wizards didn't retire #23, the Heat did. He never played for the Heat.

Whoa what??

Why did they do that?

WTF !!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDIT: Okay i read above.....geez i was gonna say

Last edited by zmac on Fri Jun 24, 2005 5:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I wasnt being sarcastic man, just didnt know why it was retired in Miami..