Farewell to The Diesel

After 19 illustrious and entertaining seasons, Shaquille O'Neal decided to hang up his size 23's on Wednesday.  By using a new social-media application, Tout, Shaq informed his many fans around the world that he indeed would be retiring from the NBA.  He will hold a news conference on Friday from his Isleworth home in Orlando to make the announcement official.  It is the end of an era in professional basketball as perhaps the most dominating specimen to ever grace the hardwood, as well as one of the most charismatic and entertaining, is finally calling it quits.  I was fortunate enough to be able to meet Shaq back in 2002 during the height of his popularity, and the Lakers 3-peat.  He had just finished toying with the Phoenix Suns, as was so often the case, and on his way to the team bus, stopped and shook my hand and autographed my media guide.  Shaq was by far and away, the largest human being I had ever encountered.  His hand alone stretched all the way to my elbow.  Not only is he larger than life in person, but he has the personality to match.  In the NBA years post-Jordan and pre-Kobe/LeBron, the face of the NBA was undoubtedly Shaquille O'Neal.  Having grown up in Phoenix and being a Suns fan through and through, Shaq was difficult to deal with as an opponent, I always could appreciate what I was fortunate enough to witness.  And once when the Suns were able to add Big Shaqtus to the roster in 2008, it was nice to know that he was finally on our side, be it the twilight of his career or not.  Going forward, the league will be a little less entertaining without the great sound bytes and post-game interviews.  Here's to hoping that we see @SHAQ sitting across from Charles Barkley on Inside the NBA next season.  That is if they can find enough room to have The Big Aristotle and Sir Charles on the same set.