Goodbye, Shaquille

Shaquille O'Neal's retirement has a special place in my heart.

He was more than just a center who won three championships with my favorite team. He was the person who helped me become interested in basketball. I was a seven-year-old kid who had just started getting into the NFL, and it was time to take my talents to the NBA.

The first time I saw Shaq on TV was the one of the coolest moments of my childhood. He immediately became my favorite basketball player. My first jersey I ever had was a Shaquille O'Neal Orlando Magic jersey during the '94-'95 NBA season. I even remember feeling sad when I watched SportsCenter one night, and the reporter on screen talked about the Chicago Bulls' game plan to doubleteam Shaq was the key to beating the Magic.

When Shaq moved to Los Angeles to join the Lakers I joined the Lakers with him. His fan-friendly personaliy and powerful dunks always made Shaq easy for me to love.

Even when he was traded to the Miami Heat and I was supposed to hate him, I couldn't do it. I kept my fandom for Shaq at bay until it was OK for Lakers fans to start loving him again. Even when Shaq went to play for the Boston Celtics this season I still had a soft spot for the big guy.

Shaq represents my entire childhood of being a basketball fan. With him gone I can honestly say it's the end of a huge era of my life. I have his basketball cards. I still have his Orlando Magic poster framed with the caption, "RIM SHAKER." Yes, I even liked "Kazaam."

I'll miss you, Shaquille O'Neal. The era had to end someday.

My Top 5 Shaq Moments:
5. 1997-Shaq returns from injury to hit a buzzer-beater fadeaway from about 10 feet to beat the No. 1 seed Utah Jazz.

4. 2009-Shaq wins co-MVP of the All-Star Game with Kobe Bryant. The under-Dwight-Howard's-legs pass to himself was amazing. Oh and don't forget his pre-game intro with the Jabbawockeez.

3. 2000-Shaq helps bring home the first title of a three-peat against the Indiana Pacers.

2. 1998-Shaq chooses not to shoot a 3-pointer in a blow-out win against the Milwaukee Bucks. They left you open, Shaq! Take the shot!

1. 1992-2011-Shaq's whole career is my top moment. Even during his twilight years as his skills and power deteriorated he still had the personality to make people happy.