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LOOK: Lakers honor Shaq with statue outside Staples Center

Sports March 25, 2017

Shaquille O’Neal is one of the greatest player to ever play for the Los Angeles Lakers. He was big, strong, dominant and unstoppable.

That’s why it was inevitable that the Lakers would honor him with a statue. A 9-foot, 1,200-pound bronze statue of him that hangs off the side of Staples Center.

He now joins Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Chick Hearn, Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, and Oscar De La Hoya who also have statues outside Staples Center.

During his eight-year stint with the Lakers, O’Neal won three championships from 2000-2002. Throughout his career, he had averages of 23.7 points, on 58% field-goal shooting, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 blocks.

O’Neal was also an MVP of the NBA in 2000 and was named an NBA All-Star 15 times in his career.

Among those present at the unveiling of the statue were Lakers legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant, and Phil Jackson, among others. Former teammates Derek Fisher, Robert Horry, Gary Payton also attended the special occassion.

Bryant also congratulated O’Neal through a tweet, saying: “U rightfully join the legends before u while inspiring those who come next #lakers #TheBigStatue #TheBigBronze”

What’s your favorite Laker Shaq moment?

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About The Author

JC Ansis

JC Ansis is a freelance editor/writer for Sports5. He also worked in the past for CNN Philippines and Sports Illustrated Philippines. He believes pizza and beer are all we need to survive in this world. He's a die-hard Lakers fan and lists Back to the Future and Dumb and Dumber as two of his favorite movies of all-time. If you wish to keep up with him on a daily basis, follow him on Twitter (@jcansis). You can also check out his website at jcansis.com.