He Said It: Ten Memorable Shaquille O'Neal Quotes

With Shaq's announcement on Wednesday, June 1 via Twitter that he was retiring from the game of basketball, I think it is only poignant to spend some time remembering the man.

Sure, we can wax intellectual on what the man delivered to the game during his nineteen-year career, but every blogger on the planet will be doing that. Instead, I thought it more fitting to remember the man's career through the numerous sound bites he contributed both on and off the court.

Enjoy.

- "Everything happens for a reason. I'm used to it, I prepare for it. Like I say, at the end of the day, those in charge of their own destiny are going to do what's rights for them and their family."

- "I am the number one Ninja and I have killed all the Shoguns in front of me."

- "I knew I was dog meat. Luckily, I'm the high-priced dog meat that everybody wants. I'm the good-quality dog meat. I'm the Alpo of the NBA."

- "When you flop, that's just another message that you don't know how to play me. Stand up and take your medicine like a man."

- "I'm tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok."

- "The stats win nothing. I'm still sexy. I'm still great."

- "If you go 72-11 and don't win (the championship), it doesn't mean anything. Actually it does. It means you've cheated and played an extra regular-season game."

- "Look up the word role in the dictionary and you'll see it means playing a part. That's why I call myself a real model. The best quality about Kobe Bryant? You want me to be honest? I don't know. I'll tell you why. I open my arms to everybody. But he never stepped forward for the embrace. So I never really got to know him. I don't know anything about him, and it's kinda sad."

- "I'm going to be on a mission. I've handled my personal vendettas and handled them well. Every challenge you put in front of me, I've handled it, dismantled it '" ate them, dropped them off in the bathroom and flushed them away."

- "I am aware that most people only see me as Shaq -- the guy on the court. But there is another side to who I am, Shaquille O'Neal. And Shaquille O'Neal wants to explore every part of life. He wants the opportunity to pursue all of his desires."

Sources:
- NBA Center Shaquille O'Neal Announces Retirement, USAToday.com
- Shaquille O'Neal Quotes, Thinkexist.com - Shaquille O'Neal Quotes, brainyquote.com