Shaq: The Best Thing That Ever Happaned To The NBA

Tyler Pollard by Scribe Written on July 03, 2009
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26:  Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Phoenix Suns sits on the bench during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 26, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.    The Lakers defeated the Suns 132-106.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

1992 was a sad year for the NBA, Ervin "Magic" Johnson had tested positive HIV and announced that he would immediately retire (only to come back years later and play 32 games as a power forward). Larry Bird had announced retirement to go be special assistant in the Celtics Front office. The NBA had lost two of it's most prized players, their only hope: Micheal Jordan who would retire one year later. The NBA was loseing ticket sales and tv ratings, they desperately needed to sell tickets fast, their answer: Shaq.

In the 1992 NBA Draft Shaq went first overall to the Orlando Magic, The Orlando Magic wanted Shaq so bad that they went around the locker room asking players for a cut in salary. Enough players agreed to give Shaq the money he wanted. And in his rookie season when he broke the hoop everyone knew right then that he was special.

The reason we most love Shaq are his sound bytes ranging from mocking another teams name and telling a reporter that he was going to move in with him. Also his nicknames that he makes for himself like 'The Big Aristotle' and Wilt Chambernieze is why we all love Shaq.

David Stern and all the NBA should be bowing down to Shaq, considering what he has done for them.

(0)
...
Share This  
Crop_45x45
or to post this comment

0 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...
posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

79
reads

0
comments

written on July 03, 2009 Opinion

The best Suns newsletter on the web

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address


CBS Sports Official Partner
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.