Written by: Matthew Blunk

One more Laker legend will be immortalized in the rafters of the Staples Center.

Per Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register, the Los Angeles Lakers will retire Shaquille O'Neal's jersey no. 34 on April 2. 2012-13 will be something of a ceremonious season for the Lakers (and not just because they acquired Steve Nash and Dwight Howard this summer), as the team will unveil a statue of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at Star Plaza on Nov. 16, and retire Jamaal Wilkes' jersey no. 52 on Dec. 28 as well.

Despite all the bad blood that ensued after O'Neal's trade from Los Angeles to the Miami Heat, Lakers owner Jerry Buss will make good on his promise to retire no. 34. There may have been a feud between Shaq and Kobe Bryant, but the fact is that they were one of the most unique and lethal duos in NBA history, and were together responsible for a "three-peat" Laker dynasty.

O'Neal and Wilkes will join the likes of Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Gail Goodrich, James Worthy, and Chick Hearn with banners of their own in the Staples Center. Abdul-Jabbar's statue will accompany those of Johnson, West, Hearn, NHL legend and former Los Angeles King Wayne Gretzky, and famous boxer and Los Angeles native Oscar De La Hoya, outside the arena.

O'Neal's jersey will be retired during halftime of the April 2 game against the Dallas Mavericks. It will be a night long remembered for the Laker faithful. Let's hope Howard is ready to suit up by then.

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