Shaq -- Remember When?

Remember when Shaq was the Man of Steel?
Remember when his size created a presence in the paint so dominating his lack of mobility was no detriment?
Remember when he commanded a double team...and even an occasional triple team?
Remember when he seemed more than human?
Remember when he was the diesel?
Remember when he was something the league had never imagined?

For those of us who remember...yesterday was a sad day.
Shaq returned to the court after months of sitting out injured.
His returned marked the return of hope for Boston fans.
But, then it happened.
The man once thought invincible injured his right calf after only 5 minutes of game time.

Shaq always wore the coolest pajamas

What's worse he hunched over and hardly made it off the court under his own power, then collapsed shortly before making it into the locker room.

Now he's out again.
And the NBA lost something big...literally and figuratively.

For those of us that grew up watching him play, the moment Shaq needed help off the court was as deflating as life's other realizations:

Remember when you learned there was no Santa?
Remember when you realized dad was mortal?
Remember when you knew your first love was over?

Yeah, it was that bad.

We may see Shaq on the court again.
Maybe this season. Maybe next season.
But, the player we will see will be Shaq the man.
Shaq the myth is dead...and Father Time is the killer.

R.I.P. - Thanks for the memories.



BC for life Foo!