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NBA veteran–Shaquille O’Neal, today announced via Twitter that he has decided to retire from Basketball after 4 rings. 28,596 points. One of the dominant and most recognizable players in the game, throws in the towel after 19 years.
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Speaking to Jackie MacMullan of ESPN.com about his decision:

“I really, really thought about coming back,” he said, “but this Achilles is very damaged and if I had it done the recovery would be so long we’d have same outcome as this last year — everyone sitting around and waiting for me.

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“I didn’t want to let people down two years in a row. I didn’t want to hold Boston hostage again.
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“I’m letting everybody know now so Danny (Ainge) and the organization can try to get younger talent. I would love to come back, but they say once the Achilles is damaged it’s never the same. I don’t want to take that chance.”

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Honestly, this comes as no shocker being that for the past few seasons, Shaquille O’Neal admitted to being a shadow of his former dominant self, putting in some excellent games but generally struggling with injuries.
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Well, there is always ESPN!!!