“We’re Not Gonna Cry About LeBron”: Admitting AD Proved Him and Charles Barkley Wrong, Shaquille O’Neal Paves the Path to Lakers Redemption

This season has not been easy for the Los Angeles Lakers. After their poor start to the season and constant injuries to the players, the Lakers have found themselves in a tough battle for the Playoffs spots in the West. With a hectic schedule for the second half of the season, LeBron James’ ankle injury has added to the woes. Former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal recently weighed in on the Lakers’ situation without their main star.

Paving the path for a possible redemption from the Lakers, the 4x NBA champion had some words for Anthony Davis. Shaq believes the Lakers still have a chance for the playoffs if the team decides to go his way.

Shaquille O’Neal had words of encouragement for Anthony Davis

LeBron James twisted his ankle during the impressive comeback win against the Dallas Mavericks. Though the forward came back to play the full game, the Lakers revealed yesterday that James will sit out for another 2-3 weeks due to the injury. A recent tweet from ‘Bleacher Report’ showed LeBron James with an ankle boot sitting courtside. 

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Before their game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Shaq shared a few words on the Lakers without the King. While discussing AD’s part in the Lakers’ redemption, Shaq stated, “He’s gonna have to take it to another level. I don’t want to tell this disrespectfully but he has fell off.” 

Shaq continued, “Not saying he is not a great player, but three years ago, we were heralding him as the next greatest player in the NBA. When you are a champion and you are a Laker, they expect you to play at a certain level.” O’Neal added, “Three years ago, Chuck and I said in two-three years he will be the best player of the game. He fell off. He is not that.”

Shaquille O’Neal’s way of redemption without the King

While O’Neal admitted that the new-look Lakers impressed him, they’d need to have a near-perfect end to the season to make the Playoffs. The 15x All-Star said, “The Lakers need to go 16-5 in the final 21. Tap into the playoff mode. You got a new team. They are playing with great energy. What they did the other day versus Dallas was very impressive. I like the new team… AD has to be the guy. LeBron is not there, we’re not gonna cry about LeBron not being there. We know he can do it”.

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However, the Lakers now might have to go 16-4 in their last 20 games, after their loss to the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. AD’s 28 points and 19 rebounds couldn’t stop Ja Morant’s Grizzlies. Time is ticking for the Lakers to salvage their season.