Should Shaq Retire?

In light of the recent speculation regarded by several NBA columnists, saying Shaq might or should retire, I had to put my two cents into this. The argument that Shaq should retire is understandable, especially considering O'Neal is gobbling up $20 million of the salary cap. O'Neal has publicly stated he will honor the final two years of his contract.

Do I think Shaq should retire? Hell no. If you want the Heat to clear up cap space, then look at the players getting DNPs. Pat Riley is paying players who get zeros across the board on their stat sheet. And he's paying these players thousands or millions of dollars. Look at Smush Parker. Look at Earl Barron. Look at Ricky Davis, who had six points in 30 minutes last night. Look at Luke Jackson. Look at Joel Anthony. Quite frankly, Pat Riley is paying players who can't play.

Is Shaq part of the problem? Of course he is. All 15 of them need to step up their game. Dwyane Wade is not playing at the level he used to be; it's not just Shaq. Same thing with Ricky Davis, Jason Williams, Dorell Wright, Mark Blount, the list goes on. However, if you put better players around O'Neal, I wouldn't have an article titled this. At this stage of his career, you shouldn't expect the Diesel to carry a team. You need better players around him.

I can hear the cries already. "But how can you sign better players if O'Neal is taking up $20 million?" Well then, how are the Spurs paying Tim Duncan $19 million and still below the luxury tax? How are the Celtics paying Kevin Garnett $23 million, Paul Pierce $16.3 million, and Ray Allen $16 million and still have the pieces around those guys? Players will take pay-cuts if it means getting a shot at a ring. Staying in the realm of the Heat, just look at James Posey and Eddie Jones.

If anyone should retire, it is Pat Riley. Riley refused to surround O'Neal with quality veterans and gave him players who might not even be able to play on a college team. If Riles knew there would be financial repercussions on O'Neal's five-year, $100 million contract, he could have passed on the deal.

The bottom line is that Pat Riley can surround Wade and Shaq with quality players even when O'Neal is making $20 million. Riles needs to be smarter and thriftier when signing players. Sign a Raja Bell-caliber player for $4.5 million. Sign a Brian Skinner-caliber player for $1.1 million. Sign an Eddie House-caliber player for $1.5 million.

These teams know how to spend their money and the Heat don't. Quality players for cheap is not out of reach. For those of you saying, "Yeah, but won't Shaq's retirement make things easier? After all, he is only averaging 14 points and eight rebounds a night." realize that Shaq still commands double-teams. He still shoots over 50% from the field. As long as he gives his teammates open looks and delivers when his number is called, he is doing fine by me.