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 lengthen thus far.
“Individuals gave just a little grace as a result of it occurred so shortly, however this offseason they’re gonna be watching,” O’Neal mentioned, through Sports activities Illustrated.
The three-time Lakers champion is aware of that scrutiny will likely be excessive for Doncic and James come September.
He additionally thinks just a little extra grit and sense of goal from Luka and LeBron will go a good 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 concerning the Lakers and what they’re doing,” O’Neal mentioned. “So I search for them to be just a little bit extra decided.”
Each season LeBron performs he inches nearer to retirement, with many pegging 2026 will likely 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 changing into the NBA’s all-time main scorer. “Would I oppose him having a statue in Los Angeles? No, I wouldn’t… However he received a championship with the Lakers, and lots of people attempt to discredit it. If that one doesn’t rely, then you’ll be able to’t rely Mr. Duncan’s bubble championship both. That’s proper. I mentioned it! If we’re counting Tim Duncan’s lockout-year championship, then you must rely LeBron’s too.” (through 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 outdoors of Crypto.com enviornment.
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