Shaq soars again at Staples as statue unveiled (AFP)

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal was feted by an array of Los Angeles Lakers greats as a massive statue of him delivering a thundering dunk was unveiled at Staples Center. Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabaar and Jerry West -- who brought O'Neal to Los Angeles, former teammate Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson were among those paying tribute to O'Neal as the nine-foot (2.74m), 1,200 pound (544 kg) bronze likeness was revealed -- suspended 10 feet above the ground in the Star Plaza.