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.
Immortalized #TheBigStatue pic.twitter.com/47KHHNGcrx
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 25, 2017
It's official!@SHAQ's statue is unveiled at Staples Center. #TheBigStatue pic.twitter.com/DGdoOkS76G
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 25, 2017
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”
Scenes from #TheBigStatue unveiling in Star Plaza at @STAPLESCenter: https://t.co/S3Lh6qFGOG #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/vKZ9XqxZ16
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 25, 2017
"The most dominant player I've ever seen" – @KobeBryant #TheBigStatue pic.twitter.com/A9iVWlBdtK
— NBA (@NBA) March 24, 2017
"CAN YOU DIG IT?!" #TheBigStatue pic.twitter.com/ySrzFHuNck
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 25, 2017
What’s your favorite Laker Shaq moment?