What’s better than having your jersey retired by an NBA team?
Having it retired by two teams.
And what’s better than that?
Getting it retired by a third team, like Shaquille O’Neal is about to do.
The Miami Heat announced on Monday that they would retire The Big Aristotle’s No. 32 jersey—which, for those keeping score at home, means Shaq will have his garb hanging in the rafters of three different NBA arenas:
The HEAT announced today that they will retire Shaquille O’Neal’s No. 32 jersey in a special halftime ceremony on December 22nd at AmericanAirlines Arena when the HEAT take on the Los Angeles Lakers. The ceremony, which will be hosted by HEAT Television Play-By-Play Announcer, Eric Reid, will include a video presentation and the raising of the No. 32 retirement banner to the rafters of the Arena. O’Neal and HEAT President, Pat Riley, are also scheduled to address the fans. In addition, TV broadcast partner, FOX Sports Sun, will air the entire ceremony live on the local television broadcast. O’Neal will become the third HEAT player to have his jersey retired, joining HEAT greats Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway.
The Heat joint he Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers in celebrating Diesel this way. Shaq played three-and-half seasons in Miami, during which time he earned an NBA Title and three All-Star appearances, while averaging 18.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 blocks per game on 59.8 percent shooting.
If you’re wondering whether 3.5 seasons is really enough to earn this honor, bear in mind that O’Neal spent only four in Orlando. Plus, he was still kind-of-sort-of dominant with the Heat. He was certainly the best teammate Dwyane Wade ever played beside before LeBron James came along.
Anyway, solid troll job by the Heat to retire Shaq’s number while playing the Lakers. Seriously, well done.
Now let’s go back to waiting to see if the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns or Cleveland Cavaliers decide to get in on this fun as well.
