Shaquille O’Neal is 40 today. The future Hall of Famer won four NBA titles over his 19-year career. In this 1992 photo, O’Neal anchors the LSU defense during a NCAA Tournament game against Indiana. (John W. McDonough/SI)
GALLERY: Shaquille O’Neal - The College Years
SI VAULT: Shaq has been the key cog in Lakers three titles (6.17.02)
Celebrating his 40th birthday today is former Magic/Lakers/Heat/Suns/Cavs/Celtics center Shaquille O’Neal. A 15-time NBA All-Star, the Big Aristotle is one of only three players to win the MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year (2000); the only other players are Willis Reed in ’70 and Michael Jordan in ’96 and ’98. Shaq ranks sixth all-time in points scored, fifth in field goals, 12th in rebounds, and seventh in blocks.
Shaq could not resist the urge to explore the Seattle Public Library after he had heard rumors of the programmatic elements displaced throughout the building through a series of delaminations.
Shaq and his lady friend were upset by Corbusier’s Modular as a universal system of measurement (for obvious reasons), while visiting his Unite d’Habitation in France.
Shaq had to sit down when pondering the achievements of Louis Kahn in regards to Dr. Jonas Salk’s request of a facility worthy of a visit by Pablo Picasso.
Shaq had to see for himself the apparent planar relationships between LeCorbusier’s Villa Stein and Palladio’s Villa Malcontenta!
Shaq was thrilled to listen to the guided tour on his Walkman, narrated by Philip Johnson himself.
Shaq appreciating the architectural promenade employed by Le Corbusier.
