One of the most dominant forces in basketball and a future NBA Hall of Famer, Shaquille "Shaq" O'Neal, announced his retirement from the profession today after 19 years.
The annoucement was made via Twitter:
Ever the competitor, injuries hampered his final three seasons, but the years when he played at full force he was something to watch.
With a powerful career that started with the Orlando Magic, then moved to the Los Angeles Lakers and on to the Miami Heat, the last three seasons saw Shaq with the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and this past season with the Boston Celtics.
There has been so much written about The Diesel the past two decades that perhaps it would be best to just list a few of his many accomplishments, and then watch this eight minute video showing just how dominant he was on the court.
* NBA Rookie of the Year (1993)
* Twice NBA scoring champion (1995, 2000)
* NBA MVP (2000)
* A four time NBA Champion (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006)
* Three NBA Finals MVP awards (2000, 2001, 2002)
* 15 NBA All Star Teams (1993-1998, 2000-2007, 2009)
* Three times NBA All Star MVP (2000, 2004, 2009)
* among others
Shaq in Action:
We enjoyed your play, Shaq, as well as your off-court entertainment.
Following is a short Shaq-feature comic hero treatment from the NBA.
Enjoy your retirement, Shaq.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Showing posts with label Boston Celtics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston Celtics. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
LeBron James finally conquers Boston Celtics dominance
It seems, over the past few years, that the Boston Celtics have always had the upper hand when playing teams with LeBron James.
Well, maybe a few hands - Allen, Garnett, Pierce, Rondo and the rest of the gang.
Consider just last year when the Celtics dominated James and the Cleveland Cavaliers (the top seed in the Eastern Conference with the league's best record) in the second round, eliminating James for a possible NBA Championship in six games.
At the start of the 2011 season it seemed that James and his new team, the Miami Heat (even with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh) could not best the performance of the Celtics, losing the regular season series 3-1.
This year's playoffs, however, were a different story.
After taking both home games, Miami found itself in Boston and a resounding loss in Game 3. With the series at 2-1, and still playing at TD Garden, James et al accomplished something remarkable. They beat the Celtics on their home turf in overtime.
Why remarkable? Prior to that victory James had only won twice in Boston out of 15 attempts and his teammate, Dwayne Wade, had lost 11 straight games on that court.
After the win, James was quoted as saying, "I haven't had much success in this building."
That was a gigantic understatement.
Back in Miami, with Boston trailing 3-1, there was a definite threat to extend the series. It could be seen that the Celtics were gunning for a win at Miami despite the fact the Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal were sidelined with injuries. The game was tied 87-87 with 2:13 remaining and all of a sudden LeBron exploded.
He dropped two shots from downtown, stole the ball and took it in for a slam dunk, then closed out the game with a jumper, scoring the final 10 points of the game. Final Miami 97, Boston 87. Series end: Miami 4, Boston 1.
It does seem that LeBron conquered whatever it was about the Celtics and TD Garden that had haunted him. And it was gratifying to watch him compliment Doc Rivers and the Celtics as he did following the game.
Now, on to the rest of the NBA championship run.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Well, maybe a few hands - Allen, Garnett, Pierce, Rondo and the rest of the gang.
Consider just last year when the Celtics dominated James and the Cleveland Cavaliers (the top seed in the Eastern Conference with the league's best record) in the second round, eliminating James for a possible NBA Championship in six games.
At the start of the 2011 season it seemed that James and his new team, the Miami Heat (even with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh) could not best the performance of the Celtics, losing the regular season series 3-1.
This year's playoffs, however, were a different story.
After taking both home games, Miami found itself in Boston and a resounding loss in Game 3. With the series at 2-1, and still playing at TD Garden, James et al accomplished something remarkable. They beat the Celtics on their home turf in overtime.
Why remarkable? Prior to that victory James had only won twice in Boston out of 15 attempts and his teammate, Dwayne Wade, had lost 11 straight games on that court.
After the win, James was quoted as saying, "I haven't had much success in this building."
That was a gigantic understatement.
Back in Miami, with Boston trailing 3-1, there was a definite threat to extend the series. It could be seen that the Celtics were gunning for a win at Miami despite the fact the Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal were sidelined with injuries. The game was tied 87-87 with 2:13 remaining and all of a sudden LeBron exploded.
He dropped two shots from downtown, stole the ball and took it in for a slam dunk, then closed out the game with a jumper, scoring the final 10 points of the game. Final Miami 97, Boston 87. Series end: Miami 4, Boston 1.
It does seem that LeBron conquered whatever it was about the Celtics and TD Garden that had haunted him. And it was gratifying to watch him compliment Doc Rivers and the Celtics as he did following the game.
Now, on to the rest of the NBA championship run.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
NBA Conference Championship Playoffs 2011
It is definitely NBA Playoff time and as this blog is being written the playoffs are, essentially, midway to having a 2011 Champion.
Some surprises have definitely happened along the way.
The #1 seed in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs, lost in the first round to the #8 seed Memphis Grizzlies in six games.
Perhaps it was meant to be this year, the #2 seed (and defending NBA Champion) Los Angeles Lakers took six games to beat the #7 New Orleans Hornets and then got swept by #3 Dallas Mavericks in four games, completely thwarting their effort for a second three-peat.
In the Eastern Conference, the #1 seed Chicago Bulls, with the league's MVP and best record of all teams, took out the #7 Indiana Pacers in five games in round one and find themselves tied at two games each with #5 seed Atlanta Hawks who took the #4 Orlando Magic out of the picture in six.
Probably one of the most anticipated matchups features #2 Miami Heat and #3 Boston Celtics. The Heat excelled in game 4 to lead the series 3-1.
As it looks right now, the Dallas Mavericks, with time to rest after their sweep, will probably meet #4 Oklahoma City Thunder (providing they get by the Grizzlies, with the series tied at 2 apiece) for the Western Conference Championship while in the Eastern Conference odds are that the Heat will be playing the Bulls to determine who goes for the NBA trophy.
It will be interesting to see.
As the theme of the playoffs is "Win or Go Home," one can see the truth in that short statement.
In the meantime, one of the highlights of every playoff game has been the NBA's own commercials, featuring the "Official Basketball."
This one is absolutely great:
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Some surprises have definitely happened along the way.
The #1 seed in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs, lost in the first round to the #8 seed Memphis Grizzlies in six games.
Perhaps it was meant to be this year, the #2 seed (and defending NBA Champion) Los Angeles Lakers took six games to beat the #7 New Orleans Hornets and then got swept by #3 Dallas Mavericks in four games, completely thwarting their effort for a second three-peat.
In the Eastern Conference, the #1 seed Chicago Bulls, with the league's MVP and best record of all teams, took out the #7 Indiana Pacers in five games in round one and find themselves tied at two games each with #5 seed Atlanta Hawks who took the #4 Orlando Magic out of the picture in six.
Probably one of the most anticipated matchups features #2 Miami Heat and #3 Boston Celtics. The Heat excelled in game 4 to lead the series 3-1.
As it looks right now, the Dallas Mavericks, with time to rest after their sweep, will probably meet #4 Oklahoma City Thunder (providing they get by the Grizzlies, with the series tied at 2 apiece) for the Western Conference Championship while in the Eastern Conference odds are that the Heat will be playing the Bulls to determine who goes for the NBA trophy.
It will be interesting to see.
As the theme of the playoffs is "Win or Go Home," one can see the truth in that short statement.
In the meantime, one of the highlights of every playoff game has been the NBA's own commercials, featuring the "Official Basketball."
This one is absolutely great:
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Friday, June 18, 2010
Los Angeles Lakers, 2010 NBA Champions
Sports is a tremendously huge part of the culture of Main Street USA.
Between athletic and theatrical events the citizens of America spend billions upon billions of their hard-earned dollars.
In sporting competitions it is to follow and watch someone become the champion, the best at what they do.
This year, as they did in 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned as the Kings of Basketball after defeating their arch-rival, the Boston Celtics.
The Lakers were led all season by Kobe Bryant.
Make no mistake about it, basketball is a team activity and Kobe received a lot of assistance to acquire his 5th NBA Finals Championship Ring and his second consecutive NBA Finals MVP Award.
The series against the Celtics proved that Pau Gasol (the "Spaniard" as Kobe calls him), Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, Shannon Brown, and Luke Walton wanted that 16th NBA Title for Los Angeles possibly as much as did Kobe.
However, Kobe is Kobe.
He is a dynamic player for the ages. A winner.
He is a winner surrounded by others who desire to win as well.
Congratulations to coach Phil Jackson and all the Lakers!
Especially to Kobe Bryant.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Between athletic and theatrical events the citizens of America spend billions upon billions of their hard-earned dollars.
In sporting competitions it is to follow and watch someone become the champion, the best at what they do.
This year, as they did in 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned as the Kings of Basketball after defeating their arch-rival, the Boston Celtics.
The Lakers were led all season by Kobe Bryant.
Make no mistake about it, basketball is a team activity and Kobe received a lot of assistance to acquire his 5th NBA Finals Championship Ring and his second consecutive NBA Finals MVP Award.
The series against the Celtics proved that Pau Gasol (the "Spaniard" as Kobe calls him), Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, Shannon Brown, and Luke Walton wanted that 16th NBA Title for Los Angeles possibly as much as did Kobe.
However, Kobe is Kobe.
He is a dynamic player for the ages. A winner.
He is a winner surrounded by others who desire to win as well.
Especially to Kobe Bryant.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
Friday, June 4, 2010
2010 NBA Finals Game 1 Lakers and Celtics
Having lived in California for over four decades, and in the Los Angeles area for much of that time, it is hard not to be a Los Angeles Lakers fan, especially during the NBA finals, regardless of the current place of residence.
And even more so with the opportunity to avenge the tragic loss in 2008 to the Boston Celtics.
It is unlikely that the Lakers will ever get close to evening up the championship series between the two - they are down 9-2 at this point thanks to Bill Russell's complete dominance of the game. Russell lead his Celtics team to 11 NBA Championships during his 13 seasons as a player, including 7 in match-ups against the Lakers.
Even so, the rivalry between the two most storied teams in the NBA is legend.
And continues as Kobe Bryant goes for his 5th title ring as a Laker. Game 1 shows what this series will be about.
In the day, growing up in SoCal with Boston controlling the NBA, the alternate outlet for enthusiasm was watching the UCLA Bruins, the totally dominate NCAA team, who won 10 championship titles between 1964 and 1975, including 4 undefeated seasons.
Those Caliornia memories will always remain, including the year my high school team played Jamaal Keith Wilkes (and lost). Fortunately, I did not have to guard him, my teammate did. Wilkes was later on the UCLA team that won 2 titles during 30-0 seasons in 1972 and 1973 and set the record of 88 consecutive wins and eventually played on four NBA Championship teams, one with the Golden State Warriors and the others with the Lakers.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
And even more so with the opportunity to avenge the tragic loss in 2008 to the Boston Celtics.
It is unlikely that the Lakers will ever get close to evening up the championship series between the two - they are down 9-2 at this point thanks to Bill Russell's complete dominance of the game. Russell lead his Celtics team to 11 NBA Championships during his 13 seasons as a player, including 7 in match-ups against the Lakers.
Even so, the rivalry between the two most storied teams in the NBA is legend.
And continues as Kobe Bryant goes for his 5th title ring as a Laker. Game 1 shows what this series will be about.
In the day, growing up in SoCal with Boston controlling the NBA, the alternate outlet for enthusiasm was watching the UCLA Bruins, the totally dominate NCAA team, who won 10 championship titles between 1964 and 1975, including 4 undefeated seasons.
Those Caliornia memories will always remain, including the year my high school team played Jamaal Keith Wilkes (and lost). Fortunately, I did not have to guard him, my teammate did. Wilkes was later on the UCLA team that won 2 titles during 30-0 seasons in 1972 and 1973 and set the record of 88 consecutive wins and eventually played on four NBA Championship teams, one with the Golden State Warriors and the others with the Lakers.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
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