Lakers: Ridiculous New Statue of Shaq to be Hanging in Front of Staples Center

Shaquille O’Neal is arguably one of the best, most dominant big men to ever play the game of basketball. Now, the Lakers are rewarding his dominance.

Shaq is one of the most iconic players to ever lace it up not only for the Los Angeles Lakers but for the entirety of the NBA. Big Diesel was a dominant player in his time, showcased by his four championships, 15 all-star appearances, 1 MVP, and Hall of Fame induction. The list goes on and on for Shaq.

Shaq’s polarizing attitude it what makes him so great. Not only was he great on the court, he is a genuinely funny guy off the court. Sure, Shazam may have sucked, but we all have laughed during Shaqtin a Fool. Heck, this has caused Big Diesel himself to beef with Warriors center Javale McGee.

I am a huge Shaq fan, heck when he was on Running Wild with Bear Grylls I just about peed my pants of laughter.

Now, Shaq is being recognized perhaps in the most iconic way by the Los Angeles Lakers. Shaq joins coveted athletes such as Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky, and Oscar De La Hoya (to name a few) in an exclusive club of bronze statues in front of the Staples center.

The news of this new statue broke last December, but now, we are just a few days away from seeing the iconic hanging Shaq in front of Staples center. The finished project, of course, is Shaq himself dunking, not hanging like the time he tripped on the NBA on TNT set.

This statue has to be the most ridiculous, yet coolest statue the Lakers have unveiled. It shy’s away from the normal status quo of statue poses, yet showcases Shaq’s dominance. This ridiculously cool statue is a perfect representation of the ridiculously funny character that Shaq was.

The Statue of Big Diesel is set to be unveiled before the Lakers game on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. I’m sure Karl-Anthony Towns would like to take a page out of Shaq’s book and dominate the Lakers.

I am glad to see Shaq get his statue outside of the Staples Center. Although I was a very young boy when it happened, his three consecutive rings for the Lakers was truly historic. Looking back on it, it seems that most of the praise gets sent Kobe Bryant’s way, but we all know without Shaq it would not have been possible.

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What do you think of Shaq’s iconic, new, dunking statue? Do you think he deserves to be in the same boat as other all-time greats or was his tenure with the Lakers to short?