In 1992, the Orlando Magic struck gold by winning the NBA Draft lottery and securing the rights to select then-LSU Tigers center and former Associated Press College Player of the Year Shaquille O’Neal.
In his four seasons in Orlando, O’Neal helped turn the Magic into a powerhouse and a national brand, along with Penny Hardaway and Nick Anderson. Orlando, who had previously never made the playoffs before drafting O’Neal, went on to make it in three of his four seasons there, including two Eastern Conference Finals appearances and an NBA Finals appearance in 1995 where they got swept by the Houston Rockets.
Upon becoming a free agent in the summer of 1996, O’Neal left Orlando to join the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would go on to find tremendous success, winning a league MVP and three NBA championships.
O’Neal’s departure from Orlando wasn’t on the best of terms. However, Thursday evening on Inside the NBA, it was revealed that the Magic would be retiring O’Neal’s No. 32 on February 13, the first number they’ve retired in team history.
Shaq learns that he'll be the first player in Orlando Magic history to have a jersey number retired. pic.twitter.com/ExvI1bqe19
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 5, 2024
Time heals all wounds, and it’s nice to see the Magic honoring one of their franchise’s icons. O’Neal’s No. 34 was also retired by the Lakers in 2013 and the Miami Heat, where O’Neal won his fourth NBA championship in 2006, retired his No. 32 in 2016.
Fans had a lot to say about the big news for the big man.
salute @SHAQ 🫡 pic.twitter.com/pjsaa3edQJ
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 5, 2024
I was legit thinking today about how insane it was that Shaq hadn't got his number retired by Orlando yet https://t.co/Yz65lvSpBa
— Marcus S., A Child of the Internet (Yankees 10-3) (@goodwillfiction) January 5, 2024
Well deserved! Some of my fondest memories from childhood are when Shaq and Penny were dominating the league as a young tandem. Brought excitement to the city of Orlando immediately upon their arrival! @SHAQ congrats! https://t.co/433FQuGLD8
— J Cross (@JCross_Orl) January 5, 2024
Shaq and Penny both not having their numbers retired already by the Magic is honestly a bit of a joke. https://t.co/Cv3YcIUmHq
— David (@GesusKriest) January 5, 2024
[Photo Credit: TNT]
