Shaq has had a number of first for the Orlando Magic. He was the first player to be taken as the number one overall pick by the Magic. He was the first Magic player to play in an All Star Game. He was the first player to win Rookie Of The Year in Orlando. He was also the first big time superstar to leave Orlando. Shaq joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Clyde Drexler, Julius Erving, Elvin Hayes, Bob Lanier, Moses Malone, Earl Monroe, Dikembe Mutombo, Oscar Robertson, Nate Thurmond and Charles Barkley as the only players to have their number retired by multiple franchises.
Given some of the guys that Shaq played with in Orlando, guys like Nick Andersen and Penny Hardaway, it was a bit of a surprise that Shaq was the first one to get his jersey retired. It also took a long time to finally get it done. It was in the 35th season of Magic basketball that it finally happened. Shaq had a brief career in Orlando, playing his first four years in the league in Orlando. He really took off when he went to Los Angeles, but that doesn't diminish what he did here for Orlando. He was the first big superstar that the team had.
Shaq not only made a name for himself in Orlando, he help make the Magic a name brand as well. Him and Penny Hardaway really helped establish the Magic as a major brand in not only the NBA but in sports in general. Here's a perfect example of the kind of impact a guy like Shaq had on this Magic team. Orlando had only won 70 games over its first three seasons before Shaq arrived. His rookie year, the Magic made the playoffs and finished the year with a 41-41 record. They won 50 games and another playoff trip in year two. Year three was 57 wins and a trip to the NBA finals. His last year was a 60 win season, which is still the franchise record. That's the kind of impact Shaq had.
Congratulations to Shaq on having his number retired in Orlando.
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