Shaquille O’Neal Claims Kobe Bryant’s Lakers Were Dependent on Him: “Kobe Was the Man, We All Know That. But the Diesel Don’t Play Well, We Don’t Have a Shot”
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The Los Angeles Lakers’ woes are quite clear. Since the beginning of the season, many people questioned if the experienced setup could reinvent the franchise’s success from the years gone by, particularly when Kobe was still playing. However, they have had a totally baffling outing thus far, finding no rhythm whatsoever. Contrarily, Kobe’s team had the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, who could destroy you on any given day.
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LeBron James and co. are just about sitting within the Western Conference’s top-8. Unfortunately, their attack has been dominated solely by James, whereas the rest have been shooting at less than 50%. With Anthony Davis out injured and Russell Westbrook out of form, Frank Vogel is still searching for answers. Recently, 15-time All-star Shaq compared the current side to his generation. In the process, he boasted about his own abilities, claiming that the Lakers wouldn’t have been successful without him.
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Shaquille O’Neal makes brave statement: “Diesel don’t play well…”
From 2000 to 2002, Kobe and Shaq won three straight NBA titles. While the former was one of the most versatile guard-forwards, O’Neal flaunted his skill set as a center-forward. They were the perfect duo; Kobe brought the spark, agility, and determination, and Shaq induced the overpowering physicality and defensive capabilities. On his ‘Big Podcast With Shaq’, the 4-time NBA champion evaluated how his era of the Lakers would be incomplete without him.
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via Getty
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JUNE 12: Kobe Bryant, Lindsey Hunter and Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate following Game Four of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets on June 12, 2002 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Shaq averaged nearly 24 points in his career. Once he left LA, there was a sense of a missing piece in the puzzle. Speaking on his podcast last week, the powerhouse said, “They [the current Lakers squad] just haven’t had the ability to turn on. Then the key is Mr. AD.”
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“For example, when we were winning, I was the key. If I don’t play well, I don’t dominate, we don’t win. And I don’t want people to think I’m taking shots, I’m never taking shots. Kobe was the man, we all know that. But the diesel don’t play well, we don’t have a shot.”
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As he admitted himself, Shaquille O’Neal was to the Lakers what salt is to food. He added flavor to the brand of basketball that they played, and lifted them to the next level. So who’s going to become this current setup’s Shaq? It remains to be seen.
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