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Journalism of Courage
Shaquille ONeal,after an extraordinary 19 years,must surely inhabit the pantheon of basketball greats. The American National Basketball Association NBA has produced many legendary figures in its 55 years: Michael Jordan and Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar,to name just two. ONeal,the giant of basketball,both literally at 7 ft,1 inch and metaphorically,is likely to go down with them. After 28,596 points,Shaq,as he is affectionately known,has announced his retirement from professional basketball. And he did it,curiously,in a video on a social media website. Nineteen years,baby. I want to thank you very much,thats why Im telling you first,Im about to retire.
That his retirement overshadowed the NBA Finals is no surprise,ONeal having grabbed the imagination of basketball fans around the world. He stands out as much for his four championships and three NBA Finals Most Valuable Player as he does for his characteristic wink and smile. Indeed,even his off-court actions are memorable. Despite the downside of his childishness,reflected in his jealous feud with Kobe Bryant that contracted his time at the Lakers and which limited the heights he could have reached,ONeals determination to be independent added vitality to basketball. He would irrepressibly,irreverently say,Just call me IDGAF I dont give a ,and experiment in rap ONeal was a breath of fresh air,pulling down the ivory towers of professional sports.
As he is due to be inducted into NBAs Hall of Fame,Shaqs closing message in his retirement video Talk to you soon is probably about right. This is unlikely to be the last we see of this legend.
