ORLANDO, Fla. — If he had it to do over again, Shaquille O'Neal says he wishes he would have been more patient before leaving the Orlando Magic.
O'Neal said Friday after an "unexpected" induction into the Magic's Hall of Fame, that being young and wanting to win right away prompted him to leave for the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency in 1996.
The perennial All-Star and four-time NBA champion said the choice was a "business decision," but believes the Magic team that reached the NBA Finals in 1995 could have won a title if it would have stayed together longer.
O'Neal became the third inductee into the Magic's Hall, joining co-founder Pat Williams and Nick Anderson, the Magic's first-ever draft pick.
Shaq acknowledges regret about decision to leave Magic
Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins, right, presents former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal an award during a ceremony inducting him in the Magic Hall of Fame Orlando, Fla.AP/John Raoux