Links: Shaq's Retirement Party
Yesterday, Shaq announced his retirement from the NBA. To eulogize his unique career, here are some links to videos of Shaq doing things that pretty much only he can do:
Shaq v. Jordan during All-Star shootaround, 1996. Crossing over Jerome James. Most NBA guards could do this. (In fact, if guarded by Jerome James, most junior varsity high school guards probably could do this.) But pretty much no 7'1'' centers can do this.
Dunking on the Admiral during the 1996 All-Star game.
Give and go between Dwight Howard's legs during the 2009 All-Star game.
Bullying Chris Dudley.
Dance off between Shaq, Lebron, and Dwight Howard at the 2009 All-Star weekend. Notice that, at 7'1'', 350+ pounds, and 38 years of age, Shaq appears to be more coordinated than Lebron James. Also notice that Dwight Howard is a tool.
Shattering a backboard against Ahmad Rashad at the 1992 draft combine. Rashad playfully goads Shaq; Shaq responds by playfully reasserting his absolute physical dominance over everybody in the room.
Bringing down the shot clock at the Meadowlands.
Outwitting a smart-ass reporter at a press conference.
By the way, I'm not going to write it, but there is definitely potential here for an essay about how Shaq is the most American thing ever to come out of America. He's big and gregarious and arrogant and fun and insufferable and voluptuary and generous and he did it his way.