‘That’s Why They Call It The One-Two Punch’: Shaquille O’Neal Blames Anthony Davis for the Lakers’ Woes

Los Angeles Lakers fans remember Shaquille O’Neal for his massive contribution to the franchise. O’Neal still maintains an interest in his former team and is critical of their games and players. This reinforces the fact that he speaks his mind out on all things basketball. He recently spoke about one of the Lakers’ star players.

Speaking on the ‘Inside the NBA’ show on TNT, O’Neal remained critical of Anthony Davis. He put the blame for the Lakers’ current woes and dismal form on the shoulders of Davis. The superstar advised Davis to improve his form for the Lakers and share some of the burdens that LeBron James and Russell Westbrook carried.

He further added, “When you say one-two punch, one-two punch has to be like right here. Not one here and two down there. You know if LeBron gets 29, 26, AD either got to be 34 or 28.9.”

Anthony Davis started his career in the NBA in 2012. He spent most of his career with the New Orleans Pelicans until 2019. Davis joined the Lakers in 2019. The move to the Lakers paid off for Davis and the franchise too as they won an NBA title in the same season.

O’Neal played in the NBA from 1992 until his retirement in 2011.

Shaquille O’Neal as the centerpiece of the Lakers

Shaquille O’Neal played for the Orlando Magic between 1992 to 1996. The Magic had selected him with the 1st overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. O’Neal joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 and signed a whopping $121 million deal with this new franchise.

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He linked up with Kobe Bryant at the Lakers.

O’Neal played as a big man or a center for the Lakers. Alongside Bryant, he led the Lakers to a three-peat from 2000 to 2002. O’Neal’s importance at the Lakers was acknowledged as he received three NBA Finals MVP awards.

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The NBA also named him the NBA MVP in 2000. His success at the Lakers might be a reason for O’Neal’s critical analysis of the franchise on every occasion.