Shaq thanks the Orlando Magic for retiring his jersey and he recounts his experience playing there, plus the people who inspired him [VIDEO]

Shaq thanks the Orlando Magic for retiring his jersey

Shaquille O’Neal revolutionized the modern NBA and put the Orlando Magic on the map. An expansion team, Shaq was drafted before the Magic’s third year. With him on the roster, they had their first .500 season. After that, they had their first 50-win season and playoff appearance. The next year came their first NBA Finals appearance. In addition, 1996 saw their only 60-win season. Business got in the way, so then Shaq left. However, the Magic are honoring him in a month by retiring #32 worn by O’Neal.

Shaquille O’Neal signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, in 1996. Alongside Kobe Bryant, they returned championship glory to the Lakers. They won three consecutive championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002, coached by Phil Jackson. Meanwhile, Shaq went from being a great player to being one of the NBA’s all-time greats. He holds the distinction of being one of only three players to win three straight Finals MVP awards. Michael Jordan is the other two players, as he did it twice.

Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway came together to produce an Orlando Magic documentary. In this doc, they lamented on what life would’ve been like if Shaq never left the team. Shaq’s time with Orlando only lasted four years, but they accomplished so much. Of course, injuries limited Hardaway’s career, so he didn’t have much success past 1996, anyway. A few years ago, Hardaway and Shaq were honored in the “Magic Ring of Honor.” Now, Shaq’s jersey is being retired and he thanked them on Inside the NBA.

Shaq thanks the Orlando Magic for retiring his jersey