So tonight’s ceremony to forever remove the number 34 from the greatest franchise in sports was surely an evening to remember.

Shaquille O’Neal is without question the most dominant player to enter the game since Wilt Chamberlain. His legacy forever cemented in the three consecutive titles he led the Lakers to during the most dominant era in modern hoops.

Shaq will forever be among the most beloved Lakers as he carried on the great tradition of Laker bigs. Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar already now have a new neighbor as the aforementioned men are now joined by Shaquille O’Neal in Laker immortality.

In a show of true class Shaq first thanked the late great Jerry Buss before asking the faithful Lakers fans (same fans who chanted “we want Phil” tonight) to give themselves a hand. A true giant among men and forever a Laker legend.

During halftime of the Lakers eventual victory over the Portland Trailblazers Wilkes was honored with the most prestigious honor in all of basketball. His jersey way unveiled alongside some of the greatest to ever play the game as no other Laker will ever sport the #52 again.

Wilkes is just the eighth Laker to have his number retired. Quite an honor for a franchise filled with hoops history.