Shaq Diesel Blows A Tire?

Shaq believes he'll play in 2010-11
AP

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Big Fella will have no Big Exodus.

Shaquille O'Neal believes he will be back.

The four-time NBA champion said Tuesday he will be in the league next season and would rather retire than play internationally. Although if the time has come to hang up those size 23 shoes for good, O'Neal said he will do so "very graciously" and "have a big party."

"For every athlete or every great person, there's a time when it has to end. When and if it ever ends it will be very graciously," O'Neal said. "We're going to have a big party. We're going to have a ceremony and the next thing I'll be waiting for is the entrance into the place where your name will never be forgotten."

The 38-year-old O'Neal spent last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He won three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and another with the Miami Heat.

But he has struggled to find a contract from a team that can guarantee him playing time, enough money and a chance for one more championship to add to his legacy.

He all but ruled out joining LeBron James in Miami or a return to Orlando, where he began his career in 1992, with both teams not showing much interest. He also admitted this offseason has been particularly difficult floating around in free agency.

O'Neal won't be bored whenever he retires.

He was in Orlando with teen pop star Justin Bieber to promote the basketball giant's television show, "Shaq Vs." The second season of the reality competition was set to begin airing Tuesday night on ABC.

"Worst comes to worst, I'll be a doctor and do speaking engagements and talk to children and run for sheriff in this town or the next town over," O'Neal added. "I have many, many options."

The most surprising thing to me about the free agent thunderstorm that was three weeks ago was that no team went after Shaq. Sure, he's not an elite player anymore. He may not even be a starter but he's still a name. You don't think the ass ramming New Jersey took in free agency could have been softened by signing a big, teddy bear to squeeze and laugh at? And you would think Miami would like more help down low. if Chris Bosh is supposed to be their low court presence in the playoffs against Dwight Howard and the moster Kendrick Perkins then I'm not sure I like the Heat's chances. Of course, I'm still selfishly holding out hope for a Kobe/Shaq reunion but with Theo Ratliff now in the fold that looks less and less likely.

UPDATE: SHAQ JOINS THE CELTICS



This has to be one of the biggest low blows in my life. Shaq a Celtic? Its almost like trying to imagine Ndamukong Suh lining up for the Longhorns. I thought Shaq was finally over his "making L.A. pay" stage. Obviously not if he wants to crawl in bed with the Lakers' biggest rival. I'm seriously considering writing this guy off forever like I did with Horry when he hip checked poor little Steve Nash into that scorer's table.