A person who is aware of all too properly the pressures of profitable a champion with the Lakers is the one and solely Shaq, aka, Shaquille O’Neal.
After Luka Doncic was traded to LA in February, he felt all of the love of Los Angeles behind him, however Shaq warns that love will solely prolong up to now.
“Individuals gave somewhat grace as a result of it occurred so rapidly, however this offseason they’re gonna be watching,” O’Neal mentioned, by way of Sports activities Illustrated.
The three-time Lakers champion is aware of that scrutiny can be excessive for Doncic and James come September.
He additionally thinks somewhat extra grit and sense of objective from Luka and LeBron will go a great distance in 2026.
“They’re gonna say, ‘Hey, Luka, how are you coaching? LeBron, what are you doing?’ After which subsequent yr, whoever wins this yr, subsequent yr we’re nonetheless gonna be speaking in regards to the Lakers and what they’re doing,” O’Neal mentioned. “So I search for them to be somewhat bit extra decided.”
Each season LeBron performs he inches nearer to retirement, with many pegging 2026 can be his final within the league.
Just lately, O’Neal was requested whether or not the Lakers ought to construct a statue in honor of James.
“LeBron broke the file, and he did it as a Laker,” O’Neal mentioned of James turning into the NBA’s all-time main scorer. “Would I oppose him having a statue in Los Angeles? No, I wouldn’t… However he gained a championship with the Lakers, and lots of people attempt to discredit it. If that one doesn’t depend, then you’ll be able to’t depend Mr. Duncan’s bubble championship both. That’s proper. I mentioned it! If we’re counting Tim Duncan’s lockout-year championship, then you need to depend LeBron’s too.” (by way of Scoop B Robinson)
Because it stands, LAL have statues of Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jerry West exterior of Crypto.com enviornment.
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