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In honor of Shaq’s birthday, here’s his rookie year highlights (VIDEO)

Shaquille O'Neal

FILE - In this May 26, 2009, file photo, Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal points to members of the Cleveland Cavaliers before Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals between the Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic in Orlando, Fla. Even though he hasn’t played a game for any team in two months, the NBA Finals has been played in Shaq’s shadow, with the center’s enormous footprints all over it. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

AP

Happy birthday to Shaquille O’Neal. The Big Candle (at least for today).

For you youngsters out there who know Shaq as the guy who argues with Charles Barkley every Thursday, or know him from his stints in Cleveland and Boston at the end of his career, you should know he’s one of the best centers this game has ever seen. And young Shaq was an insanely good athlete for his size. For any size.

Here are some highlights of Shaq’s rookie year in Orlando, when he was still so quick and even then more powerful than an NBA backboard. Enjoy.