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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Shaquille O’Neal attends the WBC heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder at T-Mobile Arena on October 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Shaquille O’Neal attends the WBC heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder at T-Mobile Arena on October 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The NBA playoffs are on and major names are missing. One of them is the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James. For the uninitiated, the Lakers failed to qualify for the playoffs. Talking about this issue, Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal had an interesting take.
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According to him, the team is too old, and they bank on LeBron too often. Moreover, James is growing old and the young guys don’t fear him anymore.
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Shaquille O’Neal reflects upon the Lakers’ disappointing season
Safe to say, the Los Angeles Lakers had a season to forget. After acquiring the services of Russell Westbrook during the off-season, the team was called a title contender. However, they failed to qualify for the playoffs, let alone a championship. While the Lakers failed to perform on the court, they faced the wrath of the media and the fans.
NBA legend Charles Barkley had talked about the team and their aging lineup. However, Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal refused to agree with Barkley. Interestingly enough, Shaq’s stance has changed.
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Mar 19, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) celebrates with guard Malik Monk (11) and guard Austin Reaves (15) drug the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Talking in an interview, the host asked Shaq regarding his opinions on the Lakers. And Shaq had a lot to say about his former team.
Shaq said, “Charles said it and I didn’t believe it but I’m starting to think about it, they may be a little too old. When you put those names together like this summer I was like ooh, Westbrook, ooh, Melo.”
He added, “I thought they were gonna do something. They only knock on LeBron, they don’t fear him anymore. He’s older and they know he’s getting older.“
Considering his history with the franchise, it is natural for Shaq to be concerned about his former team. The point put forward by him is not wrong.
The team relied on a 37-year-old LeBron James for too long. In spite of him putting up great numbers, it was not enough. James averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists.
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The Lakers lineup consists of Russell Westbrook who is 33 years old, Dwight Howard, 36, and Carmelo Anthony, 37, to name a few.
Safe to say, the Lakers will require a major rebuild in the coming seasons in order to restore their glory days and reclaim the NBA title.
Written by
Edited by
Arunaditya Aima