Shaq retires with simple tweet first then bittersweet conference later

Shaquille O'Neal ended his NBA career formally on Wednesday with a press conference held at his huge suburban Orlando home. Shaq had already made it known two days earlier via a tweet and video that he was retiring.

"Never thought this day would come," he said. "Father Time has finally caught up with Shaquille O'Neal."

Shaq retires with a career that rivaled those of the best basketball players of any era. During his storied NBA career, Shaq amassed 28,596 points, 13,099 rebounds, 15 All-Star NBA appearances and four NBA titles. He achieved his peak when he won a three-peat with the Los Angeles Lakers and earned a fourth title with the Miami Heat in 2006.

Known for his big physique as well as for being a jokester, Shaquille O'Neal was true to form on Wednesday, faking to receive a bogus call from New York Knicks owner James Dolan about the vacant general manager job and poking fun at Dwight Howard and at himself.

"Shaq Diesel", "The Big Aristotle" and "Superman" - all those funny nicknames he gave himself over the years will have to be retired as well, Shaq said.

"From now on, you can call me 'The Big AARP' - Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons," Shaq said.

Shaq retires believing that the next generation of NBA superstars, including Dwight Howard, will continue what he and many others before him has done for the NBA. He was in fast decline in recent years but his big persona ensured that he was never completely out of the limelight.

But as Shaq retires, the likes of Howard, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will have to do the entertaining on the court.

The press conference turned a bit serious at times, with Shaq thanking former coaches, teammates and his family.

Shaq retires after nearly two decades, leaving a unique void that may never be replaced. But Shaquille O'Neal intends to continue to entertain at the sidelines and from the broadcast booth.