Shaq is set to interview for the Orlando Magic's vacant general manager position, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard. The position opened up earlier this week, when both coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith were fired from their posts with the team.
O'Neal retired from the NBA last season, after 19 seasons in the league. And the talented big man does have ties to Orlando, as he spent the first four seasons of his career with the Magic.
Orlando fans may best remember Shaq for ditching the franchise for the bright lights and big money of Los Angeles during the offseason in 1996. The Magic had just made a run to the NBA Finals and were looking like consistent contenders for the Eastern Conference crown, especially with Michael Jordan's presence in Chicago dwindling to its final days. But O'Neal decided to bolt town and left the Magic in shambles.
After winning four NBA titles, three with the Lakers and one in Miami, as well as an MVP award (2000) and a number of other accolades, O'Neal may have earned back the trust and respect of the Orlando faithful.
Shaq also has a very strong relationship with Dwight Howard, who has been rumored to want out of Orlando for nearly two years now. The two joke back and forth about the ownership of the "Superman" nickname, but Howard has immense respect for O'Neal.
The combination of O'Neal's basketball IQ and his knowledge of what it takes to win could help the Magic finally get over the hump and win the franchises first ever championship. And maybe even more importantly Shaq's presence could persuade Howard to stay in Orlando for at least a few more years.
