Ever since LeBron James joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, it was expected of him to put the Lakers back on the map and win a title. And he did exactly that. In the 2019-20 NBA season, LeBron helped the Lakers win their 17th NBA title, and it was a moment that Lakers fans were waiting for since the 2010 finals with Kobe Bryant.

But like always, great players are expected to deliver on a regular basis. Hence, the pressure is now on LeBron to repeat the 2020 title success. However, they haven’t been able to reach that level since the title win. Moreover, they have gone into a nosedive, a complete 180 from what was expected, especially after the addition of Russell Westbrook.

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But the team still looks like they can make the playoffs via the play-in tournament. In light of this, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal stated that if the Lakers can somehow make it to the 8th seed and qualify for the playoffs via the play-in tournament, then they can eliminate the Phoenix Suns.

Shaquille O’Neal on LeBron James and the Lakers

During a recent episode of ‘The Big Podcast with Shaq’, O’Neal made a bold claim regarding the Lakers. He predicts that LA can eliminate the Phoenix Suns from the playoffs if they finish 8th in the West.

“I doubt they (Lakers) even make the playoffs, I mean the play-in game. But if they do, they definitely have to win and they will face Phoenix in the first round,” said Shaq.

“If they make it to the 8th spot, they will beat Phoenix,” he added.

“Yeah. You heard me because AD is going to be back. I said it, ‘cuz you know why? They’re at the bottom. There’s nowhere else for them to go,” he explained.

In Conclusion

Clearly, Shaq still believes in the Lakers. The return of Anthony Davis will definitely be a boost for the Lakers in terms of scoring and defense. If the Lakers do make it to the playoffs, it definitely looks like they will be out for redemption considering last season’s first-round exit to the Suns themselves.

However, playing against the Suns is not an easy task. For starters, the franchise has one of the best scorers and playmakers in Devin Booker and Chris Paul. Moreover, considering last season’s upset and the Lakers’ poor form this season, it already looks like LA is on the back foot.

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Regardless, one cannot underestimate LeBron James. He has come out victorious on many occasions when his team has their backs against the wall. This will be another such moment. And if LA does upset the Suns, it will leave the NBA in shock!