Shaq's Retirement Press Conference

[RyNye]

I imagine a number of you are probably watching the Big Shamrock's press conference right now. It's really fantastic, it is truly Shaq at his best. Smart, charming, and funny. One of the highlights was his aide handing him a phone and him pretending to be offered Donnie Walsh's job.

In any case, the relevance to us C's is that Shaq says the two greatest coaches he worked with were Phil Jackson and Doc Rivers. The fact that Doc made such an impression on Shaq this past season to be compared to his 3-peat coach speaks volumes about our Celtics coach and team. At several points in the conference he expressed his great gratitude for the Boston organization.

So if you haven't watched it, find it online! Great stuff. (Oh, and his nickname now is the Big AARP. All other nicknames officially retired)

[RJ87]

Very charming in his press conference, he had kind words for the C's organization and just seemed really happy with his decision. Best of luck to the Big Fella.

[Mike-Dub]

Congrats Shaq on a great career (wish you could have gotten 3 of 4 of you championships somewhere else, preferably here, but I won't hold it against ya)!

[EJPLAYA]

Shaq is a fine example of an athlete out there setting a great example for our youth. The sincere thanks that he showed all of those people for a large part of that press conference really shows you the type of person that he is. I’ve always thought Shaq is the person that you’d most want to spend time with and that he’d treat you as an equal no matter who you were. Although we didn’t achieve the goals that might have come with a healthy Shaq this year, what a great honor it was to have him finish off his career in Celtics green. Good luck to you Shaq and thanks for the effort. You are truly a class act.

[mc34]

Great stuff from Shaq. The media and a lot of players lately seem to be really focusing on Doc as a player's coach and a great guy to play for. Great thing for us, Doc will be a big selling point when we try to bring in some young talent

[lon3lytoaster]

I'm truly sad to see him leave the league. He was always a closet favorite of mine, and a lot of the reason why I fell in love with basketball. Having been born a little too close to the end of Jordan's run, he's been the most dominant player I have ever personally witnessed.

He's always been a guy who's genuinely seemed to care about his fans, too. That's more than refreshing. A great player, with a great personality. Best of luck to him in whatever he does next.

[zerophase]

He's one of the few superstar plays in the league that you just have to respect. i can't wait to see him on TV.

[ejk3489]

He's one of the few superstar plays in the league that you just have to respect. i can't wait to see him on TV.

Ditto...I hope he joins the TNT crew next year. Him and Barkley would be pretty entertaining together.

[Bahku]

He's one of the few superstar plays in the league that you just have to respect. i can't wait to see him on TV.

Ditto...I hope he joins the TNT crew next year. Him and Barkley would be pretty entertaining together.

I pray he replaces Reggie ... at least Shaq can speak English, and I can't stand the thought of another season of Reg trying to feign enthusiasm ... ugh!

What an amazing career for Shaq ... I actually went to his first game in Boston at the old "Gah-den", when his whole career was ahead of him.

It's incredible to look back at all he accomplished ... he must be very satisfied and proud, and he'll be a great TV personality and ambassador of the game.

Always liked him ... always will, and I wish him nothing but the best for his future, and maybe a "Little Shaq" to play for the C's.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

He's one of the few superstar plays in the league that you just have to respect. i can't wait to see him on TV.

Ditto...I hope he joins the TNT crew next year. Him and Barkley would be pretty entertaining together.

I pray he replaces Reggie ... at least Shaq can speak English, and I can't stand the thought of another season of Reg trying to feign enthusiasm ... ugh!

What an amazing career for Shaq ... I actually went to his first game in Boston at the old "Gah-den", when his whole career was ahead of him.

It's incredible to look back at all he accomplished ... he must be very satisfied and proud, and he'll be a great TV personality and ambassador of the game.

Always liked him ... always will, and I wish him nothing but the best for his future, and maybe a "Little Shaq" to play for the C's.

Amen to that but have you seen his kids? Not a little part about those giants!

I am going to miss Shaq. I loved his personality and play. He was a gentle beast (well I never felt him lol). Pure entertainment. Good luck to you man, now that you're back in the normal world you are still young... I bet you still have a lot to accomplish and I'm sure you will, b/c you only know how to go (be) big or go home! Love yah big guy!!

One good thing out of this (trust me I had to dig deep to find a silver-lining)... I get to be a fan of a team instead of a player ([dang], 20+yrs flew by) and devote my energy to hating every team and player not on my team! I am happy that Shaq chose Bos to be that team by retiring here... I have always said that I will become a die-hard fan of the team Shaq retires from. When he actually said the words, I thought about not watching basketball again but I can't, I love it too much!

Now, LET'S GO CELTICS!!!!!!!! WooHOO!!!!!!!!!

S/N: Thank God the season is over (silver lining), because I'm still broken up about Shaq. I will be ready when we get going though, so save my chatroom spot b/c we are going all the way next season!!!!!!!!

[Bahku]

He's one of the few superstar plays in the league that you just have to respect. i can't wait to see him on TV.

Ditto...I hope he joins the TNT crew next year. Him and Barkley would be pretty entertaining together.

I pray he replaces Reggie ... at least Shaq can speak English, and I can't stand the thought of another season of Reg trying to feign enthusiasm ... ugh!

What an amazing career for Shaq ... I actually went to his first game in Boston at the old "Gah-den", when his whole career was ahead of him.

It's incredible to look back at all he accomplished ... he must be very satisfied and proud, and he'll be a great TV personality and ambassador of the game.

Always liked him ... always will, and I wish him nothing but the best for his future, and maybe a "Little Shaq" to play for the C's.

Amen to that but have you seen his kids? Not a little part about those giants!

I am going to miss Shaq. I loved his personality and play. He was a gentle beast (well I never felt him lol). Pure entertainment. Good luck to you man, now that you're back in the normal world you are still young... I bet you still have a lot to accomplish and I'm sure you will, b/c you only know how to go (be) big or go home! Love yah big guy!!

One good thing out of this (trust me I had to dig deep to find a silver-lining)... I get to be a fan of a team instead of a player ([dang], 20+yrs flew by) and devote my energy to hating every team and player not on my team! I am happy that Shaq chose Bos to be that team by retiring here... I have always said that I will become a die-hard fan of the team Shaq retires from. When he actually said the words, I thought about not watching basketball again but I can't, I love it too much!

Now, LET'S GO CELTICS!!!!!!!! WooHOO!!!!!!!!!

S/N: Thank God the season is over (silver lining), because I'm still broken up about Shaq. I will be ready when we get going though, so save my chatroom spot b/c we are going all the way next season!!!!!!!!

TP.

[jimmehx]

What an amazing career for Shaq ... I actually went to his first game in Boston at the old "Gah-den", when his whole career was ahead of him.

It's incredible to look back at all he accomplished ... he must be very satisfied and proud, and he'll be a great TV personality and ambassador of the game.

Always liked him ... always will, and I wish him nothing but the best for his future, and maybe a "Little Shaq" to play for the C's.

Seeing his first game would have been really special. Lucky you!

He's a fantastic guy. I just hope he doesn't end up giving scathing predictions/criticism like Charles. I can't see him doing that though...

[MBz]

Forget TNT. I want to see him in the WWE fulltime

[scaryjerry]

He's one of the few superstar plays in the league that you just have to respect. i can't wait to see him on TV.

Ditto...I hope he joins the TNT crew next year. Him and Barkley would be pretty entertaining together.

I pray he replaces Reggie ... at least Shaq can speak English, and I can't stand the thought of another season of Reg trying to feign enthusiasm ... ugh!

What an amazing career for Shaq ... I actually went to his first game in Boston at the old "Gah-den", when his whole career was ahead of him.

It's incredible to look back at all he accomplished ... he must be very satisfied and proud, and he'll be a great TV personality and ambassador of the game.

Always liked him ... always will, and I wish him nothing but the best for his future, and maybe a "Little Shaq" to play for the C's.

Shaq can speak better than Reggie? hey im no fan of reggie but i dont think shaq would be a good calling the games, he would be among the worst ever if anything..he will be great in the Barkley/Webber role
Agreed with the rest

[dark_lord]

Forget TNT. I want to see him in the WWE fulltime

i know for years he has been pleading to dana white for a chance in the ufc.  if he does, he will get killed....but i would pay to watch his fight.