Shaquille O’Neal Rips Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook as LeBron James Carries Lakers: “I Would Not Have 4 Championships if Kobe Bryant Didn’t Give Me 28”

Published 12/23/2021, 1:30 PM EST

NBA fans and the media generally laud LeBron James for carrying the burden of his respective franchises. Over the years, LeBron has played for various teams and been the main star in most of them. However, he can’t be expected to do everything himself and obviously needs his teammates to step up if his teams want success over the course of a season.

Recently, former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal commented on LeBron James and his teammates on ‘The Big Podcast with Shaq’. O’Neal also alluded to his former teammate and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant as a reason for his success. He blamed Lakers stars like Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook for the franchise’s woes.

O’Neal said, “Because, remember, he needs help. And the help that everyone hyped so much. Ooh AD is coming back. Oooh oh my god we got Russell Westbrook, oooh oh my god we just got Carmelo, oooh oh my god we got this shooter. Ooooh, those guys ain’t stepping up. Listen, I’m telling you now, I would not have four championships if Kobe (Bryant) didn’t give me 28… Everybody got to step up.”

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O’Neal played for the Lakers from 1996 to 2004. He played alongside Kobe on a talented Lakers roster. The duo of O’Neal and Kobe guided the Lakers to three NBA titles in a humongous three-peat effort between 2000 and 2002. He clearly emphasized that nobody, not even LeBron, can be expected to do everything alone.

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LeBron James shines in Lakers defeat to Phoenix Suns as his teammates fail to step up

LeBron James once again attempted to bail out the Los Angeles Lakers, but failed. The Lakers faced the Phoenix Suns in a home game at the Staples Center. The 108-90 defeat against the Suns marks the third straight defeat for the Lakers as their record for the season slips to 16-16.

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LeBron scored 34 points and recorded seven rebounds. Russell Westbrook scored 22 points while Anthony Davis missed out with a knee injury. Devin Booker scored 24 points for the Suns in their away win, which takes the high-flying Suns to 25-5 for the season. LeBron will lead the Lakers against the San Antonio Spurs next as they look to return to winning ways.

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Shalom Saldanha is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Currently pursuing his journalism degree, he has previously worked as a sports corresspondent for India Shorts/Business Upturn. A Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks fan, Shalom primarily got into the sport after discovering that he shared a mutual love for Arsenal with the 'Greek Freak'.

Shaquille O’Neal Rips Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook as LeBron James Carries Lakers: “I Would Not Have 4 Championships if Kobe Bryant Didn’t Give Me 28”

LeBron James shines in Lakers defeat to Phoenix Suns as his teammates fail to step up

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