Editing Shaquille O'Neal (section)

==Professional career==
===Orlando Magic (1992–1996)===
====Rookie of the Year (1992–1993)====
The [[Orlando Magic]] selected O'Neal with the [[List of NBA first overall draft picks|1st overall pick]] in the [[1992 NBA draft]]. In the summer before moving to [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], he spent time in Los Angeles under the tutelage of Hall of Famer [[Magic Johnson]].<ref>Luke, Chelsea. (April 28, 2015). [http://universe.byu.edu/2015/04/28/college-triple-double-header-kyle-collinsworth-versus-shaquille-oneal/ "College triple-double header: Kyle Collinsworth versus Shaquille O'Neal"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529105438/http://universe.byu.edu/2015/04/28/college-triple-double-header-kyle-collinsworth-versus-shaquille-oneal/ |date=May 29, 2017 }}. Retrieved June 17, 2015.</ref> O'Neal wore No. 32 because veteran teammate [[Terry Catledge]] refused to relinquish the 33 jersey.<ref name=number/> O'Neal said that 32 was the first number he wore when he began playing basketball.{{efn|Multiple articles refer to him wearing No. 32 in high school because No. 33 was not available. The ''[[Corpus Christi Caller-Times]]'' wrote that pictures from a Cole High game in 1989 show him wearing 33. "Maybe he wore No. 32 in earlier seasons", the newspaper added.<ref>{{cite news|first=Allison|last=Ehrlich|title=#TBT: Thirty years ago, West Oso went up against Shaq|date=August 1, 2019|newspaper=Corpus Christi Caller-Times|url=https://www.caller.com/story/news/special-reports/building-our-future/throwback/2019/08/01/tbt-west-oso-versus-shaq-1989-playoffs/1867826001/|access-date=March 27, 2025}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Don't Send Flowers, Check Will Be Enough|date=August 28, 1992|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-28-sp-5899-story.html|access-date=March 27, 2025}}</ref> 

O'Neal was named the Player of the Week in his first week in the NBA, the first player to do so.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/131104-mcw-eastern-player-week|title = Michael Carter-Williams Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week|website = NBA.com|access-date = August 8, 2014|archive-date = March 20, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140320010535/http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/131104-mcw-eastern-player-week|url-status = live}}</ref> During his [[1992–93 NBA season|rookie season]], O'Neal averaged 23.4 points on 56.2% shooting, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 [[Block (basketball)|blocks]] per game for the season.<ref name="career">{{cite web |title=Shaquille O'Neal Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealsh01.html |website=Basketball Reference |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref> He was named the 1993 [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award|NBA Rookie of the Year]] and was the first rookie to be voted an All-Star starter since [[Michael Jordan]] in 1985.<ref name="Magic history">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/magic/history/magic_history.html |title=MAGIC: Magic History |access-date=March 10, 2008 |work=NBA.com/magic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201003005/http://www.nba.com/magic/history/magic_history.html |archive-date=February 1, 2008}}</ref> The Magic finished 41–41, winning 20 more games than the previous season, but missed the playoffs by virtue of a tie-breaker with the [[Indiana Pacers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1992-93 Orlando Magic Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ORL/1993.html |website=Basketball Reference |access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref> On more than one occasion during the year, ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' writer [[Jack McCallum]] overheard O'Neal saying, "We've got to get [head coach] [[Matt Guokas|Matty [Guokas]]] out of here and bring in [assistant] [[Brian Hill (basketball)|Brian [Hill]]]."<ref name=mccallum>{{cite news |last=McCallum |first=Jack |author-link=Jack McCallum |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/03/03/the-young-and-the-feckless-another-nba-coach-finds-outtoo-latewhos-really-running-the-show |title=The Young And The Feckless |quote=On more than one occasion during O'Neal's rookie season of 1992–93, I heard him say of his then coach, "We've got to get Matty [Guokas] out of here and bring in Brian." |date=March 3, 1997 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103143912/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1009558/index.htm |archive-date=November 3, 2012  |access-date=June 2, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====First playoff appearance (1993–1994)====
In 1993–1994, O'Neal's [[1993–94 NBA season|second season]], Hill was the coach and Guokas was reassigned to the front office.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/01/sports/hill-is-named-coach-of-magic.html|title=Hill Is Named Coach of Magic|quote=Matt Guokas, who coached the Orlando Magic to the National Basketball Association's most improved record last season, was replaced today by an assistant, Brian Hill, and was reassigned to the front office as Orlando's vice president of basketball development.|date=July 1, 1993|magazine=The New York Times|access-date=November 6, 2010|archive-date=June 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610201013/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/01/sports/hill-is-named-coach-of-magic.html|url-status=live}}</ref> O'Neal improved his scoring average to 29.4 points (second in the league to [[David Robinson]]) while leading the NBA in field goal percentage at 60%.<ref name="career" /> On November 20, 1993, against the [[New Jersey Nets]], O'Neal registered the first [[triple-double]] of his career, recording 24 points to go along with career highs of 28 rebounds and 15 blocks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pgl.cgi?player=onealsh01&year=1994|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729165130/http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pgl.cgi?player=onealsh01&year=1994|archive-date=July 29, 2012|title=Shaquille O'Neal 1993–94 Game Log|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=August 5, 2010}}</ref> He was voted into the All-Star game and also made the All-NBA 3rd Team. Teamed with newly drafted [[Penny Hardaway|Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway]], the Magic finished with a record of 50–32 and made [[1994 NBA Playoffs|the playoffs]] for the first time in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daubs |first=Kyle |date=2022-03-06 |title=Shaquille O'Neal's Stats For Each Season: The Most Dominant Player In NBA History |url=https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/shaquille-oneals-stats-for-each-season-the-most-dominant-player-in-nba-history |website=Fadeaway World |language=en |access-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003174659/https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/shaquille-oneals-stats-for-each-season-the-most-dominant-player-in-nba-history |url-status=live }}</ref>{{nbau}} In his first playoff series, O'Neal averaged 20.7 points and 13.3 rebounds<ref name="career" /> as the Pacers swept the Magic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1995-04-18 |title=O'Neal and Hill get the jump, but Robinson, Kidd grab the votes |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-04-18-1995108107-story.html |website=Baltimore Sun |access-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003174659/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-04-18-1995108107-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2023}}

====First scoring title and NBA Finals (1994–1996)====
In O'Neal's third season, [[1994–95 NBA season|1994–95]], he [[List of NBA annual scoring leaders|led the NBA in scoring]] with a 29.3 point average, while finishing second in MVP voting to David Robinson and entering his third straight All-Star Game along with Hardaway. They formed one of the league's top duos and helped Orlando to a 57–25 record and the [[Atlantic Division (NBA)|Atlantic Division]] crown. The Magic won their first-ever playoff series against the [[Boston Celtics]] in the [[1995 NBA playoffs]]. They then defeated the [[Chicago Bulls]] in the conference semifinals. After beating [[Reggie Miller]]'s Indiana Pacers, the Magic reached the [[1995 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]], facing the defending NBA champion [[Houston Rockets]]. O'Neal played well in his first Finals appearance, averaging 28 points on 59.5% shooting, 12.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. Despite this, the Rockets, led by future Hall-of-Famers [[Hakeem Olajuwon]] and [[Clyde Drexler]], swept the series in four games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/magic/history/1994-95.html|title=1994–95 Season – THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE ORLANDO MAGIC|website=nba.com|access-date=October 31, 2015|archive-date=December 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201212215/http://www.nba.com/magic/history/1994-95.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

O'Neal was injured for a great deal of the [[1995–96 NBA season|1995–96 season]], missing 28 games. He averaged 26.6 points and 11 rebounds per game, made the All-NBA 3rd Team, and played in his 4th All-Star Game. Despite O'Neal's injuries, the Magic finished with a regular season record of 60–22, second in the Eastern conference to the Chicago Bulls, who finished with an [[1995–96 Chicago Bulls season|NBA record 72 wins]]. Orlando easily defeated the [[Detroit Pistons]] and the [[Atlanta Hawks]] in the first two rounds of the [[1996 NBA Playoffs]]; however, they were no match for Jordan's Bulls, who swept them in the Eastern Conference finals.

===Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004)===
====O'Neal–Bryant tandem buildup (1996–1999)====
[[File:Lipofsky Shaquille O'Neal.jpg|thumb|In eight seasons with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] from 1996 to 2004, O'Neal won three consecutive championships from [[2000 NBA Finals|2000]] to [[2002 NBA Finals|2002]] and appeared in the [[2004 NBA Finals]].]]
O'Neal became a [[free agent]] after the 1995–96 NBA season. In the summer of 1996, O'Neal was named to the [[Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics|United States Olympic basketball team]], and was later part of the gold medal-winning team at the [[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Olympics]] in [[Atlanta]]. While the Olympic basketball team was training in Orlando, the ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'' published a poll that asked whether the Magic should fire Hill if that were one of O'Neal's conditions for returning.<ref name=macmullan_19960701>{{cite news |last=MacMullan |first=Jackie |author-link=Jackie MacMullan |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1008323/index.htm |title=Poof! Shaquille O'Neal is among a host of NBA free agents who could vanish from their teams |quote=It asked whether the Magic should fire coach Brian Hill if that were one of O'Neal's conditions for returning. An overwhelming 82% answered no. |date=July 1, 1996 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517075849/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1008323/index.htm |archive-date=May 17, 2010 |access-date=November 9, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=wojnarowski>{{cite news |last=Wojnarowski |first=Adrian |author-link=Adrian Wojnarowski |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-shaqmagic060209 |title=Shaq's legacy binds Magic, Lakers |quote=The poll appeared as Shaq and the Olympic basketball team trained in town. |date=June 2, 2009 |work=Yahoo! Sports |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210164254/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-shaqmagic060209 |archive-date=December 10, 2011 |access-date=November 9, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> 82% answered "no".<ref name=macmullan_19960701/> O'Neal had a power struggle while playing under Hill.<ref name=reilly>{{cite news |last=Reilly |first=Rick |author-link=Rick Reilly |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/features/shaq/flashback/shaqs_world/ |title=Shaq's world |quote=He hated the power struggle with his coach, Brian Hill. |date=April 21, 1997 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103144143/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/features/shaq/flashback/shaqs_world/ |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |access-date=November 9, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=blinebury>{{cite news |last=Blinebury |first=Fran |url=http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/01/shaq.leaving/index.html |title=Magic are proof that wounds from star's departure do heal |quote=There were occasional gripes at coach Brian Hill. |date=July 1, 2010 |work=NBA.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809131150/http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/01/shaq.leaving/index.html |archive-date=August 9, 2010 |access-date=November 9, 2010 }}</ref> He said the team "just didn't respect [Hill]".<ref>{{cite book|last= O'Neal|first=Shaquille|title=Shaq Talks Back|publisher=[[St. Martin's Paperbacks]]|year=2002|isbn=978-0-312-98259-1|page=52|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cIXaWfTsc5YC&pg=PA52 |access-date= November 7, 2010|quote=We just didn't respect him. Sometimes he went from nice to hardcore and people were looking around, like, 'This ain't the guy we know.'}}</ref> Another question in the poll asked whether O'Neal was worth $115&nbsp;million, in reference to the amount of the Magic's offer; 91.3% of the response said it was not.<ref name=wojnarowski/><ref name=reilly/> O'Neal's Olympic teammates teased him over the poll.<ref name=wojnarowski/><ref name=blinebury/> He was also upset that the Orlando media implied O'Neal was not a good role model for having a child with his longtime girlfriend with no immediate plans to marry.<ref name= macmullan_19960701/> O'Neal compared his lack of privacy in Orlando to "feeling like a big fish in a dried-up pond".<ref>{{cite book|last=O'Neal|first=Shaquille|title=Shaq Talks Back| publisher= St. Martin's Paperbacks |year= 2002|isbn=978-0-312-98259-1|page=151|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cIXaWfTsc5YC&pg=PA151 |access-date= November 14, 2010|quote=When I was in Orlando, I really felt like a big fish in a small, dried-up pond. No matter what I did, it got talked about, until I couldn't really live my life.}}</ref> He also learned that Hardaway considered himself the leader of the Magic and did not want O'Neal making more money than him.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], pp. 104–5, 108, 110.</ref>

On the team's first full day at the Olympics in Atlanta, the media announced that O'Neal would join the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] on a seven-year, $121&nbsp;million contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19960718/2339914/nba----lakers-sign-oneal-raise-ticket-prices |title=NBA – Lakers Sign O'Neal Raise Ticket Prices |date=July 18, 1996 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 29, 2009 |archive-date=August 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827002326/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19960718&slug=2339914 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1370&dat=19960720&id=8WUVAAAAIBAJ&pg=3531,3152523 |title=Shaq signs multi-million contract with LA Lakers |work=[[Manila Standard]] |date=July 20, 1996 |access-date=December 29, 2010 |archive-date=February 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221163145/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1370&dat=19960720&id=8WUVAAAAIBAJ&pg=3531,3152523 |url-status=live }}</ref> O'Neal insisted he did not choose Los Angeles for the money; discussing the signing he referred to a couple of his product endorsements, saying: "I'm tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink [[Pepsi]], wear [[Reebok]]."<ref>{{cite news |last=Araton |first=Harvey |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/19/sports/sports-of-the-times-shaq-is-now-california-dreamin.html |title=Sports of The Times;Shaq Is Now California Dreamin' |quote=So is greed, Michael Douglas once argued as Gordon Gekko, though O'Neal's changing coasts and uniforms is not about money. We repeat: not about money. |date=July 19, 1996 |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802133503/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/19/sports/sports-of-the-times-shaq-is-now-california-dreamin.html |archive-date=August 2, 2010 |access-date=November 15, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Elliot|first=Stuart|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/04/business/the-media-business-advertising-addenda-sports-products-deal-for-shaquille-o-neal.html|title=Sports Products Deal For Shaquille O'Neal |quote=The athlete's other product agreements include Pepsi-Cola and Reebok. |date=November 4, 1993|newspaper=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130122922/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/04/business/the-media-business-advertising-addenda-sports-products-deal-for-shaquille-o-neal.html |archive-date=November 30, 2010 |access-date=November 15, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> O'Neal switched his jersey to No. 34 on the Lakers, as the No. 32 jersey he had worn in Orlando was retired in honor of [[Magic Johnson]], and the No. 33 jersey he had worn at LSU was retired in honor of [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]. The No. 34 jersey was also in honor of his stepfather, who wore that number in the [[United States Army|Army]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archives |first=L. A. Times |date=1996-07-19 |title=Shaquille O'Neal will wear No. 34 as... |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-19-sp-25856-story.html |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The Lakers won 56 games during the [[1996–97 NBA season|1996–97 season]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996-97 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1997.html |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111173132/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1997.html |url-status=live }}</ref> O'Neal averaged 26.2 points and 12.5 rebounds in his first season with Los Angeles; however, he again missed over 30 games due to injury.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Clifton |title=Injury to O'Neal is a Blow to Lakers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/14/sports/injury-to-o-neal-is-a-blow-to-lakers.html |access-date=May 5, 2024 |work=New York Times |date=February 14, 1997}}</ref> The Lakers made the playoffs, but were eliminated in the second round by the [[Utah Jazz]] in five games.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19961997.html | title= 1997 Playoff Results | website= NBA.com | access-date= December 29, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100420014909/http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19961997.html | archive-date= April 20, 2010 }}</ref> In his first playoff game for the Lakers, O'Neal scored 46 points against the [[Portland Trail Blazers]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Shaquille O'Neal MONSTER LAL Playoffs Debut 1997 vs. Blazers |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI8bDq3x7Fg |website=Youtube | date=March 26, 2022 |access-date=May 5, 2024}}</ref> the most for the Lakers in a playoff game since [[Jerry West]] had 53 in [[1968–69 Los Angeles Lakers season|1969]]. On December 17, 1996, O'Neal shoved [[Dennis Rodman]] of the [[Chicago Bulls]]; Rodman's teammates [[Scottie Pippen]] and [[Michael Jordan]] restrained Rodman and prevented further conflict.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dennis Rodman vs Shaq Fight |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjqL7bFTsIw |website=Youtube | date=September 19, 2014 |access-date=May 5, 2024}}</ref> The ''[[Los Angeles Daily News]]'' reported that O'Neal was willing to be suspended for fighting Rodman, and O'Neal said: "It's one thing to talk tough and one thing to be tough."<ref>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=O'Neal wanted to pack more offensive punch|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/O%27NEAL+WANTED+TO+PACK+MORE+OFFENSIVE+PUNCH.-a084036430|access-date=April 26, 2011|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Daily News]]|date=December 19, 1996|via=thefreelibrary.com|archive-date=December 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208184117/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/O%27NEAL+WANTED+TO+PACK+MORE+OFFENSIVE+PUNCH.-a084036430}}</ref>

The [[1997–98 NBA season|following season]], O'Neal averaged 28.3 points and 11.4 rebounds. He led the league with a 58.4 field goal percentage, the first of four consecutive seasons in which he did so.<ref name="br">{{cite web |title=Shaquille O'Neal Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft status, and more |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealsh01.html |website=Basketball Reference |access-date=May 5, 2024}}</ref> The Lakers finished the season 61–21, first in the [[Pacific Division (NBA)|Pacific Division]],<ref>{{cite web |title=1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1998.html |website=Basketball Reference |access-date=May 5, 2024}}</ref> and were the second seed in the western conference during the [[1998 NBA Playoffs]]. After defeating the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] and [[Seattle SuperSonics]] in the first two rounds, the Lakers again fell to the Jazz, this time in a 4–0 sweep.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19971998.html | title= 1998 Playoff Results | website= NBA.com | access-date= June 17, 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100523151701/http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19971998.html | archive-date= May 23, 2010 }}</ref>

With the tandem of O'Neal and teenage superstar [[Kobe Bryant]], expectations for the Lakers increased; however, personnel changes were a source of instability during the [[1998–99 NBA season|1998–99 season]]. Long-time Laker point guard [[Nick Van Exel]] was traded to the [[Denver Nuggets]];<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |first1=CBSNews.com |title=Lakers Trade Van Exel to Nuggets |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lakers-trade-van-exel-to-nuggets/ |access-date=May 5, 2024 |publisher=CBSNews.com |date=June 23, 1998}}</ref> his former backcourt partner [[Eddie Jones (basketball)|Eddie Jones]] was packaged with back-up center [[Elden Campbell]] for [[Glen Rice]] to satisfy a demand by O'Neal for a shooter.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |first1=CBSNews.com |title=Lakers Grab Rice in Big Trade |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lakers-grab-rice-in-big-trade/ |access-date=May 5, 2024 |publisher=CBS News |date=March 10, 1999}}</ref> Coach [[Del Harris]] was fired,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Heisler |first1=Mark |title=Lakers' Coach Fired as Team's Turmoil Continues |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-25-mn-11652-story.html |access-date=May 5, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 25, 1999}}</ref> and former Lakers forward [[Kurt Rambis]] finished the season as head coach.<ref>{{cite news |title=PRO BASKETBALL; Rambis Hired to Lead Lakers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/27/sports/pro-basketball-rambis-hired-to-lead-lakers.html |access-date=May 5, 2024 |work=New York Times |date=February 27, 1999}}</ref> The Lakers finished with a 31–19 record during the [[1998–99 NBA lockout|lockout-shortened season]]. Although they made [[1999 NBA Playoffs|the playoffs]], they were swept by the [[San Antonio Spurs]], led by [[Tim Duncan]] and [[David Robinson]] in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |title=1998-99 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1999.html |website=Basketball Reference |access-date=May 5, 2024}}</ref> The Spurs would go on to win their first NBA title in 1999.

====MVP and championship seasons (1999–2002)====
[[File:Shaq1 2000finals3.tif|thumb|O'Neal with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] during Game 5 of the [[2000 NBA Finals]]]]
In 1999, prior to the 1999–2000 season, the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] hired [[Phil Jackson]] as head coach, and the team's fortunes soon changed. Jackson immediately challenged O'Neal, telling him "the [NBA's] MVP trophy should be named after him when he retired."<ref>{{cite news |last=Kreigel |first=Mark |title=Jackson shares thoughts on final season |date=May 18, 2011 |work=FoxSports.com |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Phil-Jackson-shares-candid-thoughts-on-final-season-as-Los-Angeles-Lakers-coach-051811 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111012329/http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Phil-Jackson-shares-candid-thoughts-on-final-season-as-Los-Angeles-Lakers-coach-051811 |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In a November 10, 1999, game against the [[Houston Rockets]], O'Neal and [[Charles Barkley]] were ejected. After O'Neal blocked a layup by Barkley, O'Neal shoved Barkley, who then threw the ball at O'Neal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shaq, Barkley scuffle, are ejected|url=https://assets.espn.go.com/nba/news/1999/1110/163531.html|agency=Associated Press|access-date=January 8, 2012|date=November 11, 1999|archive-date=February 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202011853/http://assets.espn.go.com/nba/news/1999/1110/163531.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 6, 2000, O'Neal's 28th birthday, he scored a career-high 61 points to go along with 23 rebounds and 3 assists in a 123–103 win over the [[Los Angeles Clippers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200003060LAC.html|title=Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers Box Score, March 6, 2000|publisher=Basketball-Reference|access-date=January 27, 2020|archive-date=January 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127101444/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200003060LAC.html|url-status=live}}</ref> O'Neal's 61-point game was the last game in NBA history that a player [[List of NBA single-game scoring leaders|scored 60 or more points]] without hitting a 3-pointer until [[Giannis Antetokounmpo]] scored 64 points against the Indiana Pacers on December 13, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=nba+players+with+60%2B+points+in+a+game+with+%3D0+3pm|title=NBA Players with 60% 2b Points in a Game With%3d0 3pm|access-date=November 25, 2021|archive-date=November 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125031841/https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=nba+players+with+60%2B+points+in+a+game+with+%3D0+3pm|url-status=live}}</ref>

O'Neal was also voted the [[1999–2000 NBA season|1999–2000 regular season]] [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]], one vote short of becoming the first unanimous MVP in NBA history. [[Fred Hickman]], then of [[CNN]], instead chose [[Allen Iverson]], then of the [[Philadelphia 76ers]], who went on to win MVP the next season. O'Neal also won the scoring title while finishing second in rebounds and third in blocked shots. Jackson's influence resulted in a newfound commitment by O'Neal to defense, resulting in his first [[NBA All-Defensive Team|All-Defensive Team]] selection (second-team) in 2000.<ref>{{cite news| title= Phil Jackson's tenure produced the most success and fun we've ever seen| work= Los Angeles Times| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110517052801/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/11/sports/la-sp-heisler-lakers-20110512| first= Mark| last= Heisler| url= https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2011-may-11-la-sp-heisler-lakers-20110512-story.html| date= May 11, 2011| url-status=live| archive-date= May 17, 2011| access-date= June 17, 2015}}</ref>

In the [[2001 NBA Finals]] against the 76ers, O'Neal fouled out in Game 3 backing over [[Dikembe Mutombo]], the 2000–2001 [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|Defensive Player of the Year]]. "I didn't think the best defensive player in the game would be [[flop (basketball)|flopping]] like that. It's a shame that the referees buy into that", O'Neal said. "I wish he'd stand up and play me like a man instead of flopping and crying every time I back him down.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://amarillo.com/stories/2001/06/11/spo_nbafinals.shtml |title=Lakers hold off Sixers, 96–91 |quote=The 76ers trailed from the second quarter on and missed their one and only chance to tie the game when Allen Iverson could make only one of two free throws with 2:06 left – 15 seconds after O'Neal drew his sixth foul for backing over Dikembe Mutombo. |date=June 11, 2001 |newspaper= Amarillo Globe-News |agency= Associated Press |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110622024447/http://amarillo.com/stories/2001/06/11/spo_nbafinals.shtml |archive-date= June 22, 2011 |access-date=November 9, 2010 }}</ref>

A month before the {{NBA Year|2001|app=season's}} training camp, O'Neal had corrective surgery for a claw toe deformity in the smallest toe of his left foot.<ref name=brown/> He opted against a more involved surgery to return quicker.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p. 153.</ref> He was ready for the start of the 2001–02 regular season, but the toe frequently bothered him.<ref name=brown>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Tim |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-aug-14-sp-shaq14-story.html |title=O'Neal Surgery Is Likely |quote=A month before last training camp he had surgery to correct a claw toe deformity in the smallest toe of his left foot. |date=August 14, 2002 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209005657/http://articles.latimes.com/print/2002/aug/14/sports/sp-shaq14 |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |access-date=November 17, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2002, he was involved in a spectacular on-court brawl in a game against the Chicago Bulls. He punched center [[Brad Miller (basketball)|Brad Miller]] after an intentional foul to prevent a basket, resulting in a melee with Miller, forward [[Charles Oakley]], and several other players.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2002/01/13/shaq_punches_ap/ |title=Shaq to be sacked |date=January 13, 2002 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=October 11, 2008 |archive-date=March 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312224102/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2002/01/13/shaq_punches_ap/ }}</ref> O'Neal was suspended for three games without pay and fined $15,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E3D61238F935A25752C0A9649C8B63 |title=Sports of The Times; N.B.A. Needs To Hit Shaq Much Harder |first=Ira |last=Berkow |date=January 16, 2002 |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030232017/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/16/sports/sports-of-the-times-nba-needs-to-hit-shaq-much-harder.html |url-status=live }}</ref> For the season, O'Neal averaged 27.2 points and 10.7 rebounds, excellent statistics but below his career average; he was less of a defensive force during the season.<ref name = brown/>

Matched up against the [[Sacramento Kings]] in the [[2002 NBA Playoffs#Conference finals|2002 Western Conference finals]], O'Neal said, "There is only one way to beat us. It starts with c and ends with t." O'Neal meant "cheat" in reference to the alleged flopping of Kings' center [[Vlade Divac]]. O'Neal referred to Divac as "she", and said he would never exaggerate contact to draw a foul. "I'm a guy with no talent who has gotten this way with hard work."<ref>{{cite news 
 |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/06/03/center-stage-trading-blows-and-barbs-big-men-vlade-divac-and-shaquille-oneal-have-turned-the-western-finals-into-comic-opera
 |first=Jack 
 |last=McCallum 
 |author-link=Jack McCallum 
 |title=Trading blows and barbs, big men Vlade Divac and Shaquille O'Neal have turned the Western finals into comic opera 
 |quote=There was some head-scratching before it was divined that O'Neal meant "cheat" and not something either X-rated or far out, like "covenant" or "coronet". 
 |date=June 3, 2002 |magazine=Sports Illustrated 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020203051/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1025910/index.htm
 |archive-date=October 20, 2010 |access-date=November 9, 2010 |url-status=live
}}</ref> 
After the 2001–2002 season, O'Neal told friends that he did not want another season of limping and being in virtually constant pain from his big right toe.<ref>{{cite web |last=Plaschke |first=Bill |title=Shaq Becomes Center of Tension |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-aug-23-sp-plachke23-story.html |website= [[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=May 11, 2025}}</ref> His trademark mobility and explosion had been often absent. The corrective options ranged from [[reconstructive surgery]] on the toe to rehabilitation exercises with more shoe inserts and [[inflammation|anti-inflammation]] medication. O'Neal was already wary of the long-term damage his frequent consumption of these medications might have. He did not want to rush a decision with his career potentially at risk.<ref name=brown/>

Using Jackson's [[triangle offense]], O'Neal and Bryant enjoyed tremendous success, leading the Lakers to three consecutive titles (2000, 2001, and 2002).<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/nba-champions-by-year-complete-list-of-nba-finals-winners |website=FOX Sports |access-date=May 5, 2024}}</ref> O'Neal was named [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|MVP of the NBA Finals]] all three times<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Staff |first1=SI |title=NBA Finals MVPs: The Complete List of Winners |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2022/06/16/nba-finals-mvp-photos-michael-jordan-magic-johnson-lebron-james#:~:text=Shaquille%20O'Neal%20(2000%2C%202001%2C%202002)&text=He%20never%20averaged%20less%20than,his%20three%20Finals%20MVP%20runs. |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=June 17, 2022 |access-date=May 5, 2024}}</ref> and had the highest scoring average for a center in NBA Finals history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindthebench.org/oneals/ |title=消費者金融を低金利で利用するには |access-date=June 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904125915/http://www.behindthebench.org/oneals/ |archive-date=September 4, 2015}}. Retrieved June 17, 2015.</ref>

====Toe surgery to departure (2002–2004)====
O'Neal missed the first 12 games of the [[2002–03 NBA season|2002–03 season]] recovering from toe surgery.<ref name=nbabio>{{cite web | url = http://www.nba.com/playerfile/shaquille_oneal/bio.html | title = Shaquille O'Neal Bio Page | access-date = June 1, 2011 | website = NBA.com | quote = sat out the first 12 games of the season (Oct.&nbsp;29-Nov. 22) on the Injured List recovering from off-season foot surgery | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110226104304/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/shaquille_oneal/bio.html | archive-date = February 26, 2011 }}</ref> He was sidelined with [[hallux rigidus]], a degenerative arthritis in his toe.<ref name=oneal2011_p155>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p. 155.</ref> He waited the whole summer until just before training camp for the surgery and explained, "I got hurt on company time, so I'll heal on company time."<ref name=ventre>{{cite news | first = Mark | last = Ventre | title = It looks like Shaq's reshuffling Heat house | date = December 12, 2005 | url = http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/10439131/ | work = NBCSports.com | access-date = October 13, 2010 | quote = Remember, this is the same Shaquille O'Neal who, while with the Lakers, once waited all summer to have his injured toe operated on, then did so just before training camp and explained, "I got hurt on company time, so I'll heal on company time." | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121010021345/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/10439131/ | archive-date = October 10, 2012 }}</ref> O'Neal debated whether to have a more invasive surgery that would have kept him out an additional three months, but he opted against the more involved procedure.<ref name=oneal2011_p155/> The Lakers started the season with a record of 11–19.<ref name="BR2003">{{cite web | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/2003_games.html | title = 2002–03 Los Angeles Lakers Schedule and Results | access-date = October 13, 2010 | work = basketball-reference.com | archive-date = September 10, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100910070604/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/2003_games.html | url-status = live }}</ref> At the end of the season, the Lakers had fallen to the fifth seed and failed to reach the Finals in 2003.<ref name="BR2003" />

For the [[2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season|2003–04 season]], the team made a concerted off-season effort to improve its roster. They sought the free-agent services of two aging stars—forward [[Karl Malone]] and guard [[Gary Payton]]—but due to [[NBA Salary Cap|salary cap]] restrictions, could not offer either player nearly as much money as he could have made with some other teams. O'Neal assisted in the recruitment efforts and personally persuaded both men to join the squad, each forgoing larger salaries in favor of a chance to win an NBA championship.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bucher |first1=Ric |title=An Oral History of the 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers, the 1st Super Team |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2468658-an-oral-history-of-the-2003-2004-los-angeles-lakers-the-first-super-team |access-date=May 10, 2024 |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=May 26, 2015}}</ref> At the beginning of the [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04 season]], O'Neal wanted a contract extension with a pay raise on his remaining three years for $30&nbsp;million. The Lakers had hoped O'Neal would take less money due to his age, physical conditioning, and games missed due to injuries. During a preseason game, O'Neal had yelled at Lakers owner [[Jerry Buss]], "Pay me."<ref>{{cite book |last=Lazenby |first=Roland |author-link=Roland Lazenby |title=The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers in the Words of Those Who Lived It |page=[https://archive.org/details/showinsidestoryo00laze/page/421 421]|year=2006 |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill Professional]] |location=New York City |isbn=978-0-07-143034-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/showinsidestoryo00laze |url-access=registration |quote=the show roland lazenby. |ref=lazenby2006 |access-date=April 18, 2011}}</ref> There had been increasing [[Shaq–Kobe feud|tension between O'Neal and Bryant]]. The feud climaxed during training camp prior to the 2003–2004 season when Bryant, in an interview with ESPN journalist [[Jim Gray (sportscaster)|Jim Gray]], criticized O'Neal for being out of shape, a poor leader, and putting his salary demands over the best interest of the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1648431|title=Kobe critical of Shaq's leadership|work=ESPN|first=Kobe|last=Bryant|interviewer=Jim Gray|date=October 28, 2003|access-date=December 9, 2011|archive-date=November 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104005732/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1648431|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Lakers made the playoffs in 2004 and lost to the [[Detroit Pistons]] in the [[2004 NBA Finals]]. Lakers assistant coach [[Tex Winter]] said, "Shaq defeated himself against Detroit. He played way too passively. He had one big game ... He's always interested in being a scorer, but he hasn't had nearly enough concentration on defense and rebounding".<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p. 428.</ref> After the series, O'Neal was angered by comments made by Lakers general manager [[Mitch Kupchak]] regarding O'Neal's future with the club,<ref>{{cite news |title=Shaquille O'Neal: Mitch Kupchak to Blame for Trade from Lakers |url=https://www.slamonline.com/archives/shaquille-oneal-mitch-kupchak-to-blame-for-trade-from-lakers/ |access-date=May 10, 2024 |publisher=Slamonline |date=November 8, 2011}}</ref> as well as by the departure of Lakers coach [[Phil Jackson]] at the request of Buss.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]]</ref> O'Neal made comments indicating that he felt the team's decisions were centered on a desire to appease Bryant to the exclusion of all other concerns, and O'Neal promptly demanded a trade.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shaq demands trade |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/06/19/shaq-demands-trade/ |access-date=May 10, 2024 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=June 19, 2004}}</ref> Kupchak wanted the [[Dallas Mavericks]]' [[Dirk Nowitzki]] in return but Mavericks owner [[Mark Cuban]] refused to let his 7-footer go. However, Miami showed interest in O'Neal, and eventually the two clubs agreed on a trade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5397513/|website=MSNBC|publisher=NBC|title=Shaq happy, Lakers in shock after trade|date=July 15, 2004|access-date=December 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703101540/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5397513|archive-date=July 3, 2012}}</ref> Winter said, "[O'Neal] left because he couldn't get what he wanted—a huge pay raise. There was no way ownership could give him what he wanted. Shaq's demands held the franchise hostage, and the way he went about it didn't please the owner too much."<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p. 434.</ref>

===Miami Heat (2004–2008)===
====MVP runner-up (2004–2005)====
[[File:Shaquille O'Neal1.jpg|thumb|O'Neal with the [[Miami Heat]] in February 2007]]
On July 14, 2004, O'Neal was traded to the [[Miami Heat]] for [[Caron Butler]], [[Lamar Odom]], [[Brian Grant]], and a future first-round [[draft (sports)|draft]] choice (the Lakers used the draft choice to select [[Jordan Farmar]] in the [[2006 NBA draft|2006 draft]]). O'Neal reverted from (his Lakers jersey) number 34 to number 32, which he had worn while playing for the Magic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-02-09 |title=Heat to retire Shaq's No. 32 jersey next season |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/14747852/miami-heat-retiring-shaquille-oneal-no-32-jersey-next-season |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Upon signing with the Heat, O'Neal promised the fans that he would bring a championship to Miami. He claimed one of the main reasons for wanting to be traded to Miami was because of their up-and-coming star [[Dwyane Wade]], to whom he gave the nickname "Flash". With O'Neal on board, the new-look Heat surpassed expectations, claiming the best record in the Eastern Conference in 2004–05 with 59 wins. He played in 73 games, his most since 2001 season, averaged 22.9 points a game along with 10.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. O'Neal made his 12th consecutive All-Star Team, made the All-NBA 1st Team, and won the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for his performance in March. O'Neal also narrowly lost the [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05]] [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|MVP Award]] to [[Phoenix Suns]] guard [[Steve Nash]] in one of the closest votes in NBA history.<ref name="mvp_vote_2005">{{cite web | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2005.html | publisher = Basketball Reference | title = 2004–05 NBA Awards Voting | access-date = June 1, 2011 | archive-date = June 4, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604225723/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2005.html }}</ref>

Despite being hobbled by a deep thigh bruise, O'Neal led the Heat to the [[2005 NBA Playoffs#Conference finals|Eastern Conference finals]] and a game 7 against the defending champion [[Detroit Pistons]], losing by a narrow margin. Afterwards, O'Neal and others criticized Heat head coach [[Stan Van Gundy]] for not calling enough plays for O'Neal.<ref>{{cite news 
 |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE4DA1230F934A15751C1A9639C8B63 
 |first=Liz 
 |last=Robbins 
 |title=BASKETBALL; Riley, Advocating for O'Neal, Objects to the 'Sumo' Defense 
 |quote=The criticism O'Neal and others had for Van Gundy after the Heat's loss to Detroit in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals last season was that he did not call enough plays for O'Neal. 
 |date=December 27, 2005 |newspaper=The New York Times 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110210004/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE4DA1230F934A15751C1A9639C8B63
 |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |access-date=November 17, 2010 |url-status=live
 }}</ref> 
In August 2005, O'Neal signed a 5-year-extension with the Heat for $100&nbsp;million. Supporters applauded O'Neal's willingness to take what amounted to a pay cut and the Heat's decision to secure O'Neal's services for the long term. They contended that O'Neal was worth more than $20&nbsp;million per year, particularly given that lesser players earned almost the same amount.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-08-02 |title=Shaq, Heat agree to five-year, $100M contract |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2122716 |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228183153/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2122716 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Fourth championship (2005–2006)====
[[File:Heatwhitehouse.jpg|thumb|O'Neal holding the championship ball when the NBA champion [[Miami Heat]] team visited the [[White House]] in February 2007]]
In the second game of the [[2005–06 NBA season|2005–06 season]], O'Neal injured his right ankle and subsequently missed the following 18 games. Upon O'Neal's return, Van Gundy resigned, citing family reasons, and [[Pat Riley]] assumed head coach responsibilities.<ref name=ventre/> O'Neal later referred to Van Gundy as a "frontrunner" and a "master of panic".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-03-04 |title=Shaq: Magic's Van Gundy is 'a master of panic' |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3953133 |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228183315/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3953133 |url-status=live }}</ref> Many critics stated that Heat coach Riley correctly managed O'Neal during the rest of the season, limiting his minutes to a career low. Riley felt doing so would allow O'Neal to be healthier and fresher come playoff time. Although O'Neal averaged career lows (or near-lows) in points, rebounds, and blocks, he said in an interview "Stats don't matter. I care about winning, not stats. If I score 0 points and we win I'm happy. If I score 50, 60 points, break the records, and we lose, I'm pissed off. 'Cause I knew I did something wrong. I'll have a hell of a season if I win the championship and average 20 points a game."<ref>[http://www.shaqquotes.com Shaq Quotes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109171713/http://www.shaqquotes.com/ |date=January 9, 2016 }}. Retrieved June 17, 2015.</ref> During the 2005–06 season, the Heat recorded only a .500 record without O'Neal in the line-up.<ref>[http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/347830-kobe-or-shaq-who-has-been-more-important-to-their-teams-over-the-years "Kobe or Shaq: Who Has Been More Important To Their Teams Over the Years?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225142433/http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/347830-kobe-or-shaq-who-has-been-more-important-to-their-teams-over-the-years |date=February 25, 2021 }}. ''Bleacher Report''. Retrieved June 17, 2015.</ref>

On April 11, 2006, O'Neal recorded his second career [[triple-double]] against the [[Toronto Raptors]] with 15 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists.<ref name="HotHoops">Kraczkowski, Kevin. [http://www.hothothoops.com/2013/10/7/4814160/miami-heat-player-countdown-15-shaquille-oneal "Miami Heat Player Countdown: 15. Shaquille O'Neal"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908111909/http://www.hothothoops.com/2013/10/7/4814160/miami-heat-player-countdown-15-shaquille-oneal |date=September 8, 2017 }}. (October 7, 2013). Retrieved June 17, 2015.</ref> O'Neal finished the 2005–06 season as the league leader in field goal percentage.<ref name="HotHoops"/>
In the [[2006 NBA Playoffs]], the Heat first faced the younger [[Chicago Bulls]], and O'Neal delivered a dominating 27 point, 16 rebound and 5 blocks performance in game 1 followed by a 22-point effort in game 2 to help Miami take a 2–0 lead in the series. Chicago would respond with two dominating performances at home to tie the series, but Miami would respond right back with a victory at home in game 5. Miami returned to Chicago and closed out the series in the 6th game, highlighted by another dominating performance by O'Neal who finished with 30 points and 20 rebounds. Miami advanced to face New Jersey, who won a surprising game 1 victory before the Heat won four straight to assure a rematch with Detroit. The Pistons had no answer for Wade throughout the series, while O'Neal delivered 21 points and 12 rebounds in game 3 followed by 27 points and 12 boards in game 4 to help Miami take a 3–1 series lead. The Pistons would win game 5 in Detroit, and Wade would once again get injured, but the Heat 
held on to win game 6 with O'Neal scoring 28 points with 16 rebounds and 5 blocks to help Miami reach their first-ever NBA Finals.<ref name="Heat Playoffs Summary">[http://www.nba.com/heat/history/playoff_history_2006.html "Heat Playoff History 2006"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510081749/http://www.nba.com/heat/history/playoff_history_2006.html |date=May 10, 2015 }}. Retrieved June 17, 2015.</ref>

In the Finals, the Heat were underdogs against the [[Dallas Mavericks]] led by [[Dirk Nowitzki]], and the Mavericks won the first two games at home in dominating fashion. The Heat led by Wade and a balanced effort by O'Neal, [[Antoine Walker]] and [[Jason Williams (basketball, born 1975)|Jason Williams]] would go on to win all three of the next games at home, before closing out the series in Dallas to deliver the first NBA title for the franchise and O'Neal's fourth title. With Wade carrying the offensive load, O'Neal did not need to have a dominating series, and finished with an average of 13.7 points and 10.2 rebounds for the series.<ref name="Heat Playoffs Summary"/>

====Surgery and Wade's injury (2006–2007)====
In the {{NBA Year|2006|app=season}}, O'Neal missed 35 games after an injury to his left knee in November required surgery.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=261117014
| title = Knicks take advantage of Shaq-less heat with blowout
| quote = Starting with Shaquille O'Neal's left knee, the Miami Heat are hurting.
| date = November 17, 2006
| work = ESPN
| agency = Associated Press
| access-date = November 10, 2010
| archive-date = November 5, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121105213510/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=261117014
| url-status = dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url = http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270124011
| title = Shaq, Wade return in Heat's OT loss to Pacers
| quote = O'Neal, who came off the bench after missing 35 games while recovering from knee surgery, finished with five points and five rebounds in 14 minutes.
| date = January 24, 2007
| work = ESPN
| agency = Associated Press
| access-date = November 10, 2010
| archive-date = November 5, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121105213519/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270124011
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> After one of those missed games, a Christmas Day match-up against the Lakers, he ripped Jackson, who O'Neal had once called a second father, referring to his former coach as "[[Benedict Arnold]]". Jackson had previously said, "The only person I've ever [coached] that hasn't been a worker... is probably Shaq."<ref>{{cite news 
 |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/16357098/ 
 |title=Shaq rips Jackson as 'Benedict Arnold' 
 |quote="How can Benedict Arnold be reliable in what he says?" O'Neal said Monday after the Miami Heat's 101–85 victory over the Lakers, the ''Los Angeles Times'' reported. 
 |date=December 26, 2006 |publisher=NBC Sports 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315213209/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/16357098
 |archive-date=March 15, 2011 |access-date=November 12, 2010 
 }}</ref> The Heat struggled during O'Neal's absence,<ref name="HeatHistory">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/miami/heat.html |title=Miami Heat – Sports Ecyclopedia |website=www.sportsecyclopedia.com |access-date=June 17, 2015 |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509112905/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/miami/heat.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but with his return won seven of their next eight games. Bad luck still haunted the squad, however, as Wade dislocated his left shoulder, leaving O'Neal as the focus of the team.<ref name="HeatHistory"/> Critics doubted that O'Neal, now in his mid-30s, could carry the team into the playoffs.<ref>Thorpe, David. (March 3, 2007). [https://insider.espn.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=thorpe_david&page=ScoutingShaq "Scouting breakdown: Can Shaq carry the Heat?"] . Retrieved June 17, 2015.</ref> The Heat went on a winning streak that kept them in the race for a playoff spot, which they finally secured against the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] on April 5.<ref name="HeatHistory"/>

In a rematch of the previous year, the Heat faced the Bulls in the first round of the 2006–07 NBA playoffs. The Heat struggled against the Bulls and although O'Neal put up reasonable numbers, he was not able to dominate the series. The Bulls swept the Heat, the first time in 50&nbsp;years a defending NBA champion was swept in the opening round.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p. 206.</ref> It was the first time in 13 years that O'Neal did not advance into the second round. In the 2006–07 season O'Neal reached 25,000 career points, becoming the 14th player in NBA history to accomplish that milestone. However, it was the first season in O'Neal's career that his scoring average dropped below 20&nbsp;points per game.<ref name=brstats/>

====Career lows and disagreements (2007–2008)====
O'Neal experienced a rough start for the 2007–08 season, averaging career lows in points, rebounds, and blocks. His role in the offense diminished, as he attempted only 10 field goals per game, versus his career average of 17. In addition, O'Neal was plagued by fouls, and during one stretch fouled out of five consecutive games. O'Neal's streak of 14 straight [[NBA All-Star Game|All-Star]] appearances ended that season.<ref name=brstats/> O'Neal again missed games due to injuries, and the Heat had a 15–game losing streak.<ref>{{cite book |last1=O'Neal |first1=Shaquille |last2=MacMullan |first2=Jackie |title=Shaq Uncut: My Story |pages=[https://archive.org/details/shaquncutmystory00onea_0/page/210 210–11] |year=2011 |publisher=Grand Central Publishing |isbn=978-1-4555-0441-1 |ref=oneal2011 |url=https://archive.org/details/shaquncutmystory00onea_0/page/210|url-access=registration|via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> According to O'Neal, Riley thought he was faking the injury.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p. 212.</ref> During a practice in February 2008, O'Neal got into an altercation with Riley over the coach ordering a tardy [[Jason Williams (basketball, born 1975)|Jason Williams]] to leave practice. The two argued face-to-face, with O'Neal poking Riley in the chest and Riley slapping his finger away. Riley soon after decided to trade O'Neal.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], pp. 215–16.</ref> O'Neal said his relationship with Wade was not "all that good" by the time he left Miami, but he did not express disappointment at Wade for failing to stand up for him.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p. 216.</ref>

O'Neal played 33 games for the Miami Heat in the 2007–08 season prior to being traded to the Phoenix Suns. O'Neal started all 33 games and averaged 14.2 points per game. Following the trade to Phoenix, O'Neal averaged 12.9 points while starting all 28 games with the Suns.

===Phoenix Suns (2008–2009)===
[[File:Shaq and Nash.jpg|thumb|O'Neal with teammate [[Steve Nash]] of the [[Phoenix Suns]] in January 2009]]
The [[Phoenix Suns]] acquired O'Neal in February 2008 from the league-worst [[Miami Heat]], who had a record at the time of the trade of 9–37, in exchange for [[Shawn Marion]] and [[Marcus Banks]].<ref>{{cite news
| last = Ludden
| first = Johnny
| url = https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=jy-shaqdeal020508
| title = Suns, Heat agree to Shaq trade
| quote = In a move that could signify a dramatic change to their go-go-go, let-it-fly style of play, the Phoenix Suns acquired former All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal from the Miami Heat on Wednesday for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.
| date = February 6, 2008
| work = Yahoo! Sports
| access-date = November 13, 2010
| archive-date = October 25, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025044554/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=jy-shaqdeal020508
| url-status = live
}}</ref> O'Neal made his Suns debut on February 20, 2008, against his former Lakers team, scoring 15 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in the process. The Lakers won, 130–124. O'Neal was upbeat in a post-game press conference, stating: "I will take the blame for this loss because I wasn't in tune with the guys [...] But give me four or five days to really get in tune and I'll get it."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-080221 |title=Daily Dime: Shaq gets the spotlight, while Kobe gets the game |publisher=[[ESPN]] .com |date=February 21, 2008 |access-date=February 21, 2008 |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209032742/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-080221 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 28 regular season games, O'Neal averaged 12.9 points and 10.6 rebounds,<ref name="Shaquille O'Neal stats">[http://www.nba.com/playerfile/shaquille_oneal/index.html Shaquille O'Neal career stats and splits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813032532/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/shaquille_oneal/index.html |date=August 13, 2006 }} ''[[National Basketball Association|NBA.com]]''</ref> good enough to make the [[2008 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]]. One of the reasons for the trade was to limit [[Tim Duncan]] in the event of a postseason matchup between the Suns and the [[San Antonio Spurs]], especially after the Suns' six-game elimination by the Spurs in the [[2007 NBA Playoffs]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://dimemag.com/2008/02/06/why-shaq-heres-why/ | title=Why Shaq? Here's Why | author=Austin Burton | work=dimemag.com | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720160130/http://dimemag.com/2008/02/06/why-shaq-heres-why/ | archive-date=July 20, 2008 }}</ref> O'Neal and the Phoenix Suns did face the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, but they were once again eliminated, in five games. O'Neal averaged 15.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.<ref name="Shaquille O'Neal stats" />

O'Neal preferred his new situation with the Suns over the Heat. "I love playing for this coach and I love playing with these guys", O'Neal said. "We have professionals who know what to do. No one is asking me to play with [his former Heat teammates] [[Chris Quinn]] or [[Ricky Davis]]. I'm actually on a team again." Riley felt O'Neal was wrong for maligning his former teammates. O'Neal responded with an expletive toward Riley, whom he often referred to as the "great Pat Riley" while playing for the Heat.<ref>{{cite news 
 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3314347
 |title=Riley bothered by Shaq's criticism of Heat players, staff 
 |quote="We have professionals who know what to do. No one is asking me to play with Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis. I'm actually on a team again." 
 |date=March 27, 2008 |work=ESPN 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607010423/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3314347
 |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |access-date=November 13, 2010 |url-status=live
 }}</ref> O'Neal credited the Suns training staff with prolonging his career.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]] p. 221.</ref> They connected his arthritic toe, which would not bend, to the alteration of his jump that consequently was straining his leg. The trainers had him concentrate on building his [[core strength]], flexibility, and balance.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]] p. 213.</ref>

The 2008–09 season, improved for O'Neal, who averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks through the first half (41 games) of the season, leading the Suns to a 23–18 record and 2nd place in their division.<ref name=yahoo>{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/847 |title=Player profile – Shaquille O'Neal |work=yahoo.com |access-date=January 15, 2017 |archive-date=April 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408010052/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/847/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He returned to the All-Star Game in 2009 and emerged as co-MVP along with ex-teammate Kobe Bryant.

On February 27, 2009, O'Neal scored 45 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, his 49th career 40-point game, beating the [[Toronto Raptors]] 133–113.

In a matchup against Orlando on March 3, 2009, O'Neal was outscored by Magic center [[Dwight Howard]], 21–19. "I'm really too old to be trying to outscore 18-year-olds", O'Neal said, referring to the then 23-year-old Howard. "It's not really my role anymore." O'Neal was double-teamed most of the night. "I like to play people one-on-one. My whole career I had to play people one-on-one. Never once had to double or ask for a double. But it's cool", said O'Neal. During the game, O'Neal flopped against Howard. Magic coach [[Stan Van Gundy]], who had coached O'Neal with the Heat, was "very disappointed cause [O'Neal] knows what it's like. Let's stand up and play like men, and I think our guy did that tonight."<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://espn.go.com/nba/recap/_/id/290303019/phoenix-suns-vs-orlando-magic
| title = Magic's Van Gundy calls out Shaq for flopping
| quote = "I was shocked, seriously, shocked", Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said of O'Neal's flopping. "And very disappointed cause he knows what it's like. Let's stand up and play like men, and I think our guy did that tonight."
| date = March 3, 2009
| work = ESPN
| agency = Associated Press
| access-date = October 15, 2010
| archive-date = June 13, 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110613212020/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap/_/id/290303019/phoenix-suns-vs-orlando-magic
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> O'Neal responded, "Flopping is playing like that your whole career. I was trying to take the charge, trying to get a call. It probably was a flop, but flopping is the wrong use of words. Flopping would describe his coaching."<ref>{{cite news 
 |last=Sheridan 
 |first=Chris 
 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3953133
 |title=Shaq rips Van Gundy for flop comment 
 |quote="Flopping is playing like that your whole career. I was trying to take the charge, trying to get a call. It probably was a flop, but flopping is the wrong use of words. Flopping would describe his coaching", O'Neal said, steering the conversation back to Van Gundy. 
 |date=March 5, 2009 |work=ESPN 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111004110/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3953133
 |archive-date=November 11, 2011 |access-date=November 9, 2010 |url-status=live
 }}</ref> [[Mark Madsen (basketball)|Mark Madsen]], a Lakers teammate of O'Neal's for three years, found it amusing since "everyone in the league tries to flop on Shaq and Shaq never flops back."<ref>{{cite web
 |url = http://www.markmadsen.com/blog/what-is-a-flop.html
 |first = Mark
 |last = Madsen
 |author-link = Mark Madsen (basketball)
 |title = What is a flop?
 |quote = So, this whole commotion about whether or not Shaq's play against Dwight Howard was a flop is so funny because everyone in the league tries to flop on Shaq and Shaq never flops back.
 |date = March 7, 2009
|work = MarkMadsen.com
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714035737/http://www.markmadsen.com/blog/what-is-a-flop.html
 |archive-date = July 14, 2011
|access-date = November 9, 2010

 }}</ref> In a 2006 interview in ''TIME'', O'Neal said if he were NBA commissioner, he would "Make a guy have to beat a guy—not flop and get calls and be nice to the referees and kiss ass."<ref>{{cite news
 |url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1552051,00.html
 |last = Gregory
 |first = Sean
 |title = 10 Questions for Shaquille O'Neal
 |quote = Make a guy have to beat a guy—not flop and get calls and be nice to the referees and kiss ass.
 |date = October 30, 2006
|magazine = Time
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101130190946/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1552051,00.html
 |archive-date = November 30, 2010
|access-date = November 9, 2010

 }}</ref>

On March 6, O'Neal talked about the upcoming game against the Rockets and [[Yao Ming]]. "It's not going to be man-on-man, so don't even try that," says O'Neal with an incredulous laugh. "They're going to double and triple me like everybody else ... I rarely get to play [Yao] one-on-one ... But when I play him (on defense), it's just going to be me down there. So don't try to make it a Yao versus Shaq thing, when it's Shaq versus four other guys."<ref>{{cite web 
 |url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Shaq_and_Yao_Sound_Off_On_What-303812-34.html 
 |first=Jason 
 |last=Friedman 
 |title=Clash Of The Titans 
 |quote="It's not going to be man-on-man, so don't even try that," says O'Neal with an incredulous laugh. 
 |date=March 6, 2009 |work=Rockets.com 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117070617/http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Shaq_and_Yao_Sound_Off_On_What-303812-34.html
 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |access-date=November 9, 2010 |url-status=live
 }}</ref>

The [[2009 NBA Playoffs]] was also the first time since O'Neal's rookie season in [[1992–93 NBA season|1992–93]] that he did not participate in the playoffs. He was named as a member of the All-NBA Third Team. The Suns notified O'Neal he might be traded to cut costs.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p. 213.</ref>

===Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010)===
On June 25, 2009, O'Neal was traded to the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] for [[Ben Wallace (basketball)|Ben Wallace]], [[Aleksandar Pavlović (basketball)|Sasha Pavlovic]], $500,000, and a 2010 second-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/shaq_trade_090625.html |title=Cavaliers Acquire 15-Time NBA All-Star and Four-Time NBA Champion Shaquille ONeal |date=June 25, 2009 |work=[[National Basketball Association|NBA.com]] |access-date=June 25, 2009 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109141519/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/shaq_trade_090625.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Upon arriving in Cleveland, O'Neal said, "My motto is very simple: Win a Ring for the King", referring to [[LeBron James]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Finnan |first=Bob |date=2009-07-03 |title='WIN A RING FOR THE KING': Shaq makes his Cleveland debut |url=https://www.morningjournal.com/news/win-a-ring-for-the-king-shaq-makes-his-cleveland-debut/article_59005cdc-6230-55c3-8199-393459cea02d.html |access-date=2021-07-27 |website=Morning Journal |language=en-US |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030232017/https://www.morningjournal.com/2009/07/03/win-a-ring-for-the-king-shaq-makes-his-cleveland-debut/ |url-status=live }}</ref> James was the leader of the team, and O'Neal deferred to him.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], pp. 234–37.</ref> On February 25, 2010, O'Neal suffered a severe right thumb injury while attempting to go up for a shot against [[Glen Davis (basketball)|Glen Davis]] of the Boston Celtics.<ref>"[https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4947277 Cleveland Cavaliers' Shaquille O'Neal leaves game with 'significant thumb injury] ". Associated Press. February 25, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2010.</ref> He had surgery on the thumb on March 1 and returned to play in time for the [[2010 NBA Playoffs|first round of the playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20100417/CHICLE/gameinfo.html |title=The Game Happens Here |work=NBA.com |access-date=August 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203055758/http://www.nba.com/games/20100417/CHICLE/gameinfo.html |archive-date=December 3, 2010 }}</ref>

After defeating the [[Chicago Bulls]] in the first round, the Cavaliers went on to lose to the Boston Celtics in the second round. In September 2016, O'Neal said: "When I was in Cleveland, we were in first place. Big Baby [Glen Davis] breaks my hand and I had to sit out five weeks late in the year. I come back finally in the first round of the playoffs, and we lost to Boston in the second round. I was upset. I know for a fact if I was healthy, we would have gotten it done that year and won a ring."<ref>{{cite web|last=Siddiqi|first=DJ|url=https://247sports.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/article/shaquille-oneal-cavaliers-should-have-won-title-in-2010-47264296/|title=Shaquille O'Neal: Cavaliers should have won title in 2010|work=247sports.com|date=September 6, 2016|access-date=January 2, 2018|archive-date=October 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030232020/https://247sports.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/Article/shaquille-oneal-cavaliers-should-have-won-title-in-2010-47264296/|url-status=live}}</ref> O'Neal averaged career lows in almost every major statistical category during the 2009–10 season, largely due to splitting Center duties with [[Zydrunas Ilgauskas]].

===Boston Celtics (2010–2011)===
[[File:Shaquille O'Neal.JPG|thumb|O'Neal with the [[Boston Celtics]] in October 2010]]
Upon hearing Bryant comment that he had more rings than O'Neal, [[Wycliffe Grousbeck|Wyc Grousbeck]], principal owner of the [[Boston Celtics]], saw an opportunity to acquire O'Neal.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/09/19/grousbecks_faith_goes_right_down_to_the_core/?page=full
| title = Grousbeck's faith goes right down to the core
| first = Gary
| last = Washburn
| quote = "The minute I heard Kobe [Bryant] say he had one more ring than Shaq, I said to Danny, 'Let's go get Shaq,' and it happened", said Grousbeck.
| date = September 19, 2010
| newspaper = The Boston Globe
| access-date = October 14, 2010
| archive-date = September 22, 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100922195015/http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/09/19/grousbecks_faith_goes_right_down_to_the_core/?page=full
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Celtics coach [[Doc Rivers]] agreed to the signing on the condition that O'Neal would not receive preferential treatment, nor could he cause any locker room problems like in Los Angeles or Miami.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], pp. 243–44.</ref> On August 4, 2010, the Celtics announced that they had signed O'Neal.<ref>{{cite news|author=Boston Celtics|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/press080410-celtics-sign-shaq.html|title=Celtics Sign Shaquille O'Neal|publisher=NBA.com/Celtics|date=August 4, 2010|access-date=August 4, 2010|archive-date=August 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814092435/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/press080410-celtics-sign-shaq.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The contract was for two years at the veteran minimum salary for a total contract value of $2.8&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news 
 |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/08/05/shaq_aboard_for_two_years/ 
 |title=Shaq aboard for two years 
 |first=Gary 
 |last=Washburn 
 |quote=All Ainge had to offer was the veteran minimum of $1.35&nbsp;million, and O'Neal compromised by accepting that on a two-year deal. 
 |date=August 5, 2010 |newspaper=The Boston Globe 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006161809/http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/08/05/shaq_aboard_for_two_years/
 |archive-date=October 6, 2010 |access-date=November 9, 2010 |url-status=live
 }}</ref> O'Neal wanted the larger [[mid-level exception]] contract, but the Celtics chose instead to give it to [[Jermaine O'Neal]].<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p. 241.</ref> The [[Atlanta Hawks]] and the [[Dallas Mavericks]] also expressed interest but had stalled on O'Neal's salary demands.<ref>{{cite news 
 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/24/sports/basketball/24shaq.html?_r=1 
 |title=Multiple Nicknames; Dwindling Openings 
 |first=Howard 
 |last=Beck 
 |quote=The Dallas Mavericks had interest, but balked at O'Neal's salary demands. 
 |date=July 23, 2010 |newspaper=The New York Times 
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525022959/https://www.webcitation.org/5uIrmSv92?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/24/sports/basketball/24shaq.html%3F_r=2
 |archive-date=May 25, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2010 |url-status=live
 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news 
 |url=http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2010/08/05/atlanta-hawks-no-shaq-now-what/?cxntfid=blogs_hawks 
 |title=Atlanta Hawks: No Shaq . . . now what? 
 |first=Michael 
 |last=Cunningham 
 |quote=Atlanta also wasn't willing to pay Shaq more than the minimum and that was a sticking point for him. 
 |date=August 5, 2010 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209171203/http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2010/08/05/atlanta-hawks-no-shaq-now-what/?cxntfid=blogs_hawks
 |archive-date=December 9, 2010 |access-date=November 17, 2010 
 }}</ref> He was introduced by the Celtics on August 10, 2010, and chose the number 36.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/08/11/a_large_addition_to_celtics_sizeable_history/ |title=A large addition to Celtics' sizeable history |publisher=www.boston.com |access-date=August 10, 2010 |first=Dan |last=Shaughnessy |date=August 11, 2010 |archive-date=August 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814140823/http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/08/11/a_large_addition_to_celtics_sizeable_history/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

O'Neal said he did not "compete with little guys who run around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a night—like D–Wade, Kobe." O'Neal added that he was only competing against Duncan: "If [[Tim Duncan]] gets five rings, then that gives some writer the chance to say 'Duncan is the best,' and I can't have that."<ref name=macmullan_20100927>{{cite web
| url = https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/columns/story?columnist=macmullan_jackie&id=5620537
| title = Shaq ready to leave mark in Boston
| first = Jackie
| last = MacMullan
| author-link = Jackie MacMullan
| quote = But I don't compete with little guards. I don't compete with little guys who run around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a night – like D-Wade, Kobe.
| date = September 27, 2010
| work = ESPN
| access-date = October 14, 2010
| archive-date = October 1, 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101001003218/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/columns/story?columnist=macmullan_jackie&id=5620537
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Publicly, he insisted he did not care whether he started or substituted for the Celtics, but expected to be part of the second unit.<ref name=macmullan_20100927/> Privately, he wanted to start, but kept it to himself.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p. 244.</ref> O'Neal missed games throughout the season due to an assortment of ailments to his right leg<ref name=may>{{cite news |last=May |first=Peter |title=Celtics Creak Toward Postseason, Hoping They Have Legs for a Run |date=April 11, 2011 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=D7 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/11/sports/basketball/11celtics.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606094416/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/11/sports/basketball/11celtics.html?_r=1 |archive-date=June 6, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> including knee,<ref>{{cite news |last=Forsberg |first=Chris |title=Shaquille O'Neal starts vs. Heat |date=November 11, 2010 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5792098 |access-date=March 22, 2011 |archive-date=November 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114154533/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5792098 |url-status=live }}</ref> calf,<ref>{{cite news |last=Forsberg |first=Chris |title=Celtics get Shaquille O'Neal back |date=December 19, 2010 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5936008 |access-date=March 22, 2011 |archive-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222031626/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5936008 |url-status=live }}</ref> hip,<ref>{{cite news |last=Forsberg |first=Chris |title=Shaquille O'Neal injures hip |date=January 22, 2011 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6046855 |access-date=March 22, 2011 |archive-date=January 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125100641/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6046855 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Achilles injuries.<ref>{{cite news |last=Payne |first=Greg |title=Shaq says he's 85 percent; out another week |date=March 7, 2011 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4681422/shaq-says-hes-85-percent-out-another-week |access-date=March 22, 2011 |archive-date=March 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311112704/http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4681422/shaq-says-hes-85-percent-out-another-week |url-status=live }}</ref> The Celtics traded away center [[Kendrick Perkins]] in February partially due to the expectation that O'Neal would return to fill Perkins' role. The Celtics were 33–10 in games Perkins had missed during the year due to injury,<ref name=may/> and they were 19–3 in games that O'Neal played over 20&nbsp;minutes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Payne |first=Greg |title=Doc Rivers: Timing of trade was off |date=May 16, 2011 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6555870 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519092858/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6555870 |archive-date=May 19, 2011 }}</ref> After requesting a [[cortisone]] shot, O'Neal returned April 3 after missing 27&nbsp;games due to his Achilles; he played only five minutes due to a strained right calf.<ref name=may/><ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]] p. 256.</ref> It was the last regular season game he would play that year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amare Stoudemire back as Celts' reserves top Knicks' second string |date=April 13, 2011 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |work=ESPN |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=310413002 |access-date=April 14, 2011 |quote=Shaquille O'Neal, who has played 5 minutes, 29 seconds since Feb. 1, also sat out. |archive-date=April 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417152245/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=310413002 |url-status=dead }}</ref> O'Neal missed the first round of the [[2011 NBA Playoffs|2011 playoffs]]. He insisted on more cortisone shots and returned in the second round, but he was limited to 12&nbsp;minutes in two games as the Heat eliminated the Celtics from the playoffs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Forsberg |first=Chris |title=Report card: Shaquille O'Neal |date=May 18, 2011 |work=ESPNBoston.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4684171/report-card-shaquille-oneal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521043123/http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4684171/report-card-shaquille-oneal |archive-date=May 21, 2011 }}</ref><ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan]] p. 257.</ref>

On June 1, 2011, O'Neal announced his retirement via social media.<ref>{{cite web |last=MacMullen |first=Jackie |date=June 1, 2011 |title=Shaquille O'Neal announces retirement |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6615886 |access-date=June 1, 2011 |website=ESPN |archive-date=June 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602162755/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6615886 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=giles>{{cite news |last=Olivarez-Giles |first=Nathan |title=Shaq announces NBA retirement on Twitter, using Tout iPhone app [Updated]|date=June 1, 2011 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/06/shaq-announces-nba-retirement-on-twitter-using-tout-iphone-app.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603214631/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/06/shaq-announces-nba-retirement-on-twitter-using-tout-iphone-app.html |archive-date=June 3, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> On a short video on [[Twitter]], O'Neal tweeted, "We did it. Nineteen years, baby. I want to thank you very much. That's why I'm telling you first. I'm about to retire. Love you. Talk to you soon." On June 3, 2011, O'Neal held a press conference at his home in Orlando to officially announce his retirement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 3, 2011 |title=Shaq: 'It is time for me to begin my new life' |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/06/03/shaq.retires/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610042955/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/06/03/shaq.retires/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 10, 2011 |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>