"After a 19-year career that will likely land him in the Hall of Fame, Shaquille O'Neal announced his retirement this afternoon via Twitter.

"We did it," he said. "Nineteen years, baby. I want to thank you very much, that's why I'm telling you first: I'm about to retire. Love you. Talk to you soon."

O'Neal, who signed a two-year contract with the Celtics last summer for the veteran's minimum played just one season in green. As one of the best scoring big-men in the league's history, he boosted the Celtics offense dramatically in the first half of the season. But as the oldest player in the league, the 39-year-old center was hobbled by an cocktail of leg injuries for much of the second half.

In 37 games, he averaged 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds, but after tweaking his right Achilles Feb. 1 against the Kings in Sacramento, he sat out almost all of the next two months. Initially, the team expected him to return by the start of April, but the inflamed Achilles never completely healed. He returned April 3 for a home game against the Pistons, but lasted just six minutes before limping off the floor. "