Shaq almost done

Had Pat Riley not come back to coach the Miami Heat this season, the NBA and the defending champs would be looking at the Big Retirement.

Yes, Shaquille O'Neal was ready to pack it in, walk away from the final four years and $80 million of his contract, if Riley chose to leave, according to sources.

But O'Neal will be in camp tomorrow - in what kind of shape is anyone's guess - as he prepares to start his 15th season and a run for a fifth ring.

Riley didn't formally announce until Aug. 23 what everyone thought was a virtual lock after the Heat won Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Dallas last June. Why would Riley ever step down when Dwyane Wade is only 24 and coming off a Finals MVP performance? Coaches just don't walk away from guys like Wade.

As Riley told South Florida reporters this past week, the first time he sat down to discuss his return, his decision was a "no-brainer."

Riley went on, "it has to do with this team and this time, what I think they need and what they expect from me and from this organization."

It's no secret that at this stage of O'Neal's career and approaching his 35th birthday, he isn't going to play for anyone but Riley. O'Neal doesn't need the money, and the way the league has outlawed his power game, forcing him to go almost exclusively with what he calls "my cute finesse game," he was all set to bow out if Riley had stepped aside. In fact, he didn't start working out until early in September, after Riley's announcement.

"'Just let it roll," Riley said, when asked how long he'll coach. "I don't put a number on it anymore, how long."

When Riley exits, so will O'Neal. That's the plan. Shaq can't overpower people like he once did and he's not the consistent force he was earlier, but he still has plenty of drive. Last June, even as he was averaging a pedestrian 13.7 points per game and 10 rebounds in the Finals, he wanted to show everyone that he could win a title without Kobe Bryant. Now, with Riley in place, O'Neal would like nothing more than to help get Miami back-to-back titles.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... 4755c.html

wow i guess shaq retirement is coming faster than people thought.

How convenient that he speaks of possibly retiring after riley announced he is coming back. Shaq wouldn't be able to walk away from that money.

he wont do it, if theres a chance of getting another ring he'll stay

I'm not going to look at this with a microscopic view as others will do. This is Shaq we're discussing and he's known to play with the media.

On the topic of him retiring soon, as a fan, to see him leave the game does dishearten me to a certain extent, but I'm also glad. He isn't the same as he was a few years ago and it would be unrealistic of people to expect that of him. Sure he's got a big mouth and all and I completely understand why many fans of the sport dislike him, but I'll always love the big man and to me, he'll always be one of the best players (not to mention centers) to play the game.

I hope LA retires his jersey and Miami doing the same would just be a bonus. The game has evolved, the Big Aristotle has aged and a time to bid farewell may come soon. Till then I'll be supporting Shaq and enjoying his game as usual.

Very similar to Jordan. He retired as soon as he lost his head coach and any hope of getting another ring, even though he was physically able to still play.

Quite honestly, it's better to end a career that way.

It's interesting that even the media generally acknowledge the rules of the NBA have been changed, i thought that was something only old timers complain about.

I don't know, I don't think Shaq can live without the NBA. I see him as one of those players who play until they are about 40.

Shaq has said before that he'd retire @ 32. I don't believe for a minute that he would retire if Riley didn't return this season.

lol he probably won't retire until the 4 years are up but if he truly was serious, he should have done it now.... this was his best chance as going out as one the most dominant players in the nba.... as time passes and shaq plays fewer games and has less impact in them, we'll probably be bashing him for making 20mil a year for 15/7 in 20 mins in about 50 games.... well, the best of luck to him

well everyone knows that Shaq was overpaid, but from Miami's perspective it was all about a title. They got that, so it was a good investment regardless of his performance from here on out.

Still, he'll provide them with at least one more good season.

Speaking in his favor, if he's going to retire faster than people thought, why not retire before he's some old guy traded for a draft pick in the end?

He wanted his career to end as it had lasted - sheer dominance. Not with a final wimpy season. So if it looked like the team's going down, I don't blame him for wanting to leave.

Shaq has too much of an ego to lach on somewhere else after Riley retires. He will play in Miami as long as Riley will coach, then retire, I believe that.

I also believe Riley will coach in Miami as long as Shaq will play so this could get interesting.

Saw something interesting below the article Amphatoast posted:

Bronze-medal fallout: Considering how Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski went against orders and did not play the Phoenix Suns-style offense, wouldn't implement zone defenses and didn't seek input from his assistants, nobody will be surprised if he bows out before next summer's competition in Venezuela. With ex-Suns owner Jerry Colangelo in charge, and not particularly happy with how things shook out in Japan, assistant coach Mike D'Antoni is seen as Krzyzewski's logical successor.

I would love to see Miami win another championship but the Western conference looks deadly with about 3 or 4 teams who could win the championship. The East looks pretty weak for teams with the Heat an old force, Pistons won't be the same without Big Ben, Pacers will probably come up short again and the Bulls and Cavs may just have to wait for their chance to shine.

i think the league is more to blame on why his performance is down, they do call soft fouls against him and he can't use his power like he use to cuz then they will call offensive foul

In fact, he didn't start working out until early in September

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... 4755c.html

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that is the most telling bit in the article

It will be a sad day when the nba history's most entertaining personality and current Godfather (according to lebron) retires. Who will take his place?...Yao? I think not.

Saw something interesting below the article Amphatoast posted:

Bronze-medal fallout: Considering how Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski went against orders and did not play the Phoenix Suns-style offense, wouldn't implement zone defenses and didn't seek input from his assistants, nobody will be surprised if he bows out before next summer's competition in Venezuela. With ex-Suns owner Jerry Colangelo in charge, and not particularly happy with how things shook out in Japan, assistant coach Mike D'Antoni is seen as Krzyzewski's logical successor.

Nice find

Even when he does retire, I'm pretty sure Shaq will have some sort of coaching role with a team. Wouldnt it be awesome if he went back to LA and help developed Bynum into a Superstar like himself. Although it probably will never happen as Shaq wouldnt want someone taking his place.

I wish him luck and will continue to enjoy his game.

Shaq has too much of an ego to lach on somewhere else after Riley retires. He will play in Miami as long as Riley will coach, then retire, I believe that.

I also believe Riley will coach in Miami as long as Shaq will play so this could get interesting.

I tend to agree with that line of thinking, though Shaq also claimed he would never play for any coach other than Phil Jackson in years gone by. Obviously times have changed, he's older and he's closer to the end of his career but since he does reserve the right to change his mind it wouldn't come as a great surprise if he hung around for another year or two even if Riley was to head back into the front office at the end of the 2007 season.

guys there will never ever be another shaq...ever! sure a couple of mroe wade's, lebron's, or wang zhizhi's in the future..but a beast like shaq, no way.

there is no actually another mj, shaq, magic and so on.... there can be players of similar play styles and caliber but i think every player should be held in his own regard.... i hated it when they called wade the next jordan and then randy foye as the next wade.... same wit bron bron being called a fusion of magic and jordan.... anyways just wondering if wade is the next jordan and foye is the next wade what does that make foye?

there is no actually another mj, shaq, magic and so on.... there can be players of similar play styles and caliber but i think every player should be held in his own regard.... i hated it when they called wade the next jordan and then randy foye as the next wade.... same wit bron bron being called a fusion of magic and jordan.... anyways just wondering if wade is the next jordan and foye is the next wade what does that make foye?

Big Z!!