The Big 401K

This morning I sat down to write this blog and there were many story lines that could be talked about. NHL Stanley Cup Finals and a player with a taste for fingers. NBA Finals now two games deep and the series tied at one a piece, after the Dallas Mavericks pulled off one of the greatest fourth quarter comebacks in NBA Finals history being down fifteen points with seven minutes left to play. However I just could not bring myself to not take this moment to salute Shaquille O'Neal, as he announces formally his retirement from the game of basketball, from his home in Orlando Florida today.

Shaq is arguably the most dominant player in NBA history when you take a look at the talent he faced, in the era which he played. Combined with the fact that he alone was the reason for the NBA changing their rules and allowing teams to play a zone defense, makes him, in my opinion the most dominant player of all time. Now I must clarify that I do not place him as the best PLAYER of all time, simply most dominant, and a sure first ballot Hall of Famer.

A lot will be missed about the Big Fella, and not only his basketball ability that he brought to the floor every time he played, but his charisma and personality will be missed equally or more so than all of his highlights and thunderous dunks. Shaq had a way of captivating any room that he was in, and the ability to put a smile on the face of anyone. There will never be another like him. No other big man has been as marketable as he is. So one thing is certain, this is not the last we will see or hear from Shaq. I for one think him and Charles Barkley could provide the best, most entertaining tandem of analysts in the media today. Only time will tell where the next move for him will be, but as everything Shaq is, and has ever done, you can bet anything that it will be BIG.

Richard Rodawalt

AB3 Sports