Lakers Season Countdown: 34 days, Shaquille O'Neal

We're getting ready for a brand new season of Los Angeles Lakers basketball, so to count down the days we'll be looking at the best Lakers to wear the number. We'll continue at 34 days until the regular season begins, with one of the most dominant big men to ever play the game.

Who wore it the best: Shaquille O'Neal

(Credit: Lisa Blumenfeld, Getty Images)

Shaquille O'Neal, also known as Shaq, The Diesel, The Big Aristotle, Shaq Daddy, Superman, Wilt Chamberneezy, The Big Sidekick, etc. etc., played in the NBA for 19 years, 8 with the Lakers. He also played for the Magic, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers & Celtics. He helped lead the Lakers to back-to-back-to-back titles in 2000-2002. Shaq has been described as the most dominant big man to ever play in the NBA, and standing at 7'1" & 325 lbs, it's hard to argue against that, especially with how athletic and nimble he could beat times.

Over the course of his career, Shaq earned the 1992-93 Rookie of the Year award, the 1999-2000 NBA MVP award, 3 Finals MVP awards, 2 scoring titles, 3 All-Star game MVP awards, 15 All-Star game selections, 14 All-NBA Team selections & 3 NBA All-Defensive Team selections. He is a 4-time NBA Champion, earning 3 with the Lakers and 1 with the Heat. O'Neal announced his retirement in 2011 and the Lakers retired his jersey in 2013.

Who wore it last: Shaquille O'Neal

Nobody will ever wear this number again, as the Lakers have retired it. It will forever sit in the rafters at Staples Center.

#34 - Who has worn it:

Clyde Lovellette (1954-1957)

John Block (1967)

Erwin Mueller (1968)

Stan Love (1974-1975)

Myles Patrick (1981)

Clay Johnson (1982-1983)

Petur Gudmundsson (1986)

Ray Tolbert (1988)

Tony Smith (1991-1995)

George Lynch (1996)

Shaquille O'Neal (1997-2004)