Shaquille O’Neal on the Lakers: “This Was One of the Hardest Franchises I Had to Play For”

Los Angeles Lakers have been struggling this season despite a busy off-season. However, they did try to make some moves during the last trade window to improve the roster. But the Lakers are ninth in the Western Conference and the fear of not making the playoffs is looming large. Former Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal recently expressed his thoughts on the Lakers’ current situation.

The Lakers signed many top talents during the off-season ahead of the 2021-22 season. However, their new signings, such as Russell Westbrook, have failed to make a mark this season. The Lakers are now on a three-game losing streak.

Lakers currently have a winning% of .456 and have barely made it above .500 this season. This shows how inconsistent the LA-based franchise has been this season so far. However, Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal is sure that the Lakers will make it to the playoffs.

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Shaquille O’Neal is sure that the Lakers will make the playoffs, admits Lakers was one of the hardest franchises he played for

Former Lakers star O’Neal recently gave his thoughts on the Lakers’ woeful season. He also added that they will make it to the playoffs.

“They definitely will make the playoffs and this was one of the hardest franchises I had to play for,” Shaq said when asked if the Lakers can make the playoffs this season.

“I remember when I came here, Jerry West said ‘look, I know you do movies, I know you do rap albums’. And all that and he made me look up, and I had to look up. And I seen Wilt and Kareem. He said at the end of this, ‘you could either be a bust or you could be a legend’. So those y’all guy’s just gotta decide how they want to be remembered. The problem is they’re older. The young guys are coming at the head. So they got to turn it up from the beginning.”

The Lakers sit just behind city rivals, Los Angeles Clippers, in the Western Conference table, who has a 28-30 record. If the Lakers want to qualify for the playoffs directly, they will need a massive resurgence due to the newly established play-in tournament.

However, the Lakers have a better chance of making it to the playoffs if they manage to finish in the top eight, as the 7th and 8th best teams get two opportunities to make it to the playoffs. However, the 9th and 10th placed teams in the conference will have to win two consecutive games to make it to the playoffs.

Can the Lakers make it to the playoffs and turn around their disappointing season? Let us know in the comment section below.

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