Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal retired as one of the most dominant players in NBA history.

Let’s take a look back at when it began. In 1992, he scored his first basket in the preseason against the Miami Heat. A few days later, he scored his first official points on a dunk against the same Heat. The bucket came after he rebounded a Donald Royal missed layup.

Years later, O’Neal joined the Heat to help lead them to the first title in franchise history in 2006.

JORDAN WASN’T READY FOR FRESH START

By 1998, Michael Jordan was already in for the long haul.

The Chicago Bulls had to accept Jordan and coach Phil Jackson as a package deal. So when rumblings began of the Bulls parting ways with Jackson at season’s end, Jordan spoke up.

He made his feeling clear an interview at the NBA All-Star game that season. Jordan said he would rather retire than play in Chicago without Jackson.

“It very well can be,” Jordan said of it possibly being his last All-Star game as a member of the Bulls. “I think right now in Chicago, they’re looking to make a change to go a different direction with the coach staff, which I think affects me a lot. They really don’t leave me with many choices. So right now, in my mind, I’m thinking that’s it.”

Jordan made good on his threat. The Bulls won a sixth title with Jordan, but hired Tim Floyd as coach in the offseason. It led to Jordan’s second retirement because he was unwilling to have a fresh start.

STOUDAMIRE HAS REGRETS ABOUT LEAVING TORONTO

Years later, Damon Stoudamire can admit he got a little ahead of himself.

He was the Rookie of the Year in 1996 after being drafted by the Toronto Raptors but grew impatient playing for a losing expansion team. It eventually led to Stoudamire wanting a trade.

He landed with a stacked Portland Trail Blazers team that made the 1999 Western Conference finals, but nowadays Stoudamire thinks back to what could have been with the Raptors.

“Big picture again, I should’ve stayed,” Stoudamire said on the Ballislife podcast. “You know, T-Mac [Tracy McGrady] was a rookie. He was gonna hit his stride. And you still had Marcus Camby.”

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Associated Press

New Orleans Pelicans (5-28, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. Miami Heat (16-14, seventh in the Eastern Conference)

Miami; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans looks to stop its 10-game losing streak with a victory over Miami.

The Heat have gone 9-5 at home. Miami is 8-4 in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Pelicans are 1-14 on the road. New Orleans has a 3-17 record against opponents above .500.

The Heat score 111.0 points per game, 6.9 fewer points than the 117.9 the Pelicans give up. The Pelicans average 11.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.1 fewer made shots on average than the 13.4 per game the Heat give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Tyler Herro is averaging 24 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Heat.

Yves Missi is averaging 9.4 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Pelicans.

LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 6-4, averaging 110.5 points, 43.6 rebounds, 23.6 assists, 8.4 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.1 points per game.

Pelicans: 0-10, averaging 112.1 points, 41.9 rebounds, 26.5 assists, 10.9 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.5 points.

INJURIES: Heat: Dru Smith: out for season (achilles), Duncan Robinson: day to day (foot), Josh Richardson: day to day (heel), Jimmy Butler: day to day (illness).

Pelicans: Brandon Ingram: out (ankle), Zion Williamson: out (hamstring), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl: day to day (ankle), Karlo Matkovic: out (back), Jose Alvarado: out (hamstring).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

MIAMI – As the world gears up to bid farewell to 2024 and welcome 2025, final preparations are underway to bring in the new year Miami-style.

Monty Trainer, the chairman of the Greater Miami Host Committee, expressed excitement.

“Bringing Miami this kind of entertainment is absolutely fantastic,” he said.

Organizers promise the biggest party ever held at Bayfront Park, featuring 28 musical acts including Willy Chirino, Arturo Sandoval, Chyno y Nacho, Gente de Zona, and others.

The night will also feature double the fireworks, which will be launched from two barges in Biscayne Bay. Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo has announced a “special treat” for attendees: the unveiling of the newly restored fountain at Bayfront Park at 12:15 a.m.

Officials from both Miami’s police and fire departments said they’re committed to ensuring the event’s safety but urge attendees to cooperate.

“We have all the bases covered for a very large event,” Miami Fire Rescue Chief Robert Hevia said.

They recommend using public transportation and remind attendees that coolers, weapons, and personal fireworks are prohibited.

“If you have a drone, leave it at home. This is not the time. We just want to make sure everyone’s having a safe time,” Miami Police Department Chief Manny Morales said.

And what is New Year’s Eve in downtown Miami without the iconic Big Orange? His warm smile and even warmer glow will rise up the side of the InterContinental Hotel to ring in the new year.

Steve Carpenter, known as Mr. Neon, and his team conducted a test run on Monday to ensure the Big Orange is ready for its moment.

“We get like 100,000 plus people. It’s amazing,” Carpenter noted.