Shaquille O’Neal has kept a close watch on the Los Angeles Lakers. The franchise legend is keeping receipts on every player’s every move. However, the one under the microscope is Deandre Ayton. The 27-year-old’s first year with LA hasn’t been smooth. While conversations about his low efficiency spread through the league like wildfire, DA was slowly catching up. But after Tuesday’s mistake against the Cleveland Cavaliers, even Shaq couldn’t hide his true feelings.

In the Lakers’ 127–113 victory over the Cavs, Ayton completely missed a wide-open lob from LeBron James, airballing the attempt despite minimal defensive pressure. Watching the blunder, Shaq looked visibly fed up and didn’t hold back on his Instagram handle. Instead, he reacted to what quickly became a Shaqtin highlight. Known for joking about such mishaps, the Hall of Famer instead showed clear irritation.

He appeared more frustrated than amused as he shared his thoughts with fans across social media platforms in that moment of disbelief and annoyance. O’Neal’s caption read: “Huhhhhhhhhhh #shaqtinafool.”

Now, in this post, Shaq was silent; however, his facial expression narrated the whole story. And that was pure disbelief. It should’ve been a cakewalk for Deandre Ayton. But then, reality often doesn’t align with expectations. Moreover, given the Lakers’ legend’s long-standing jabs at DA for lacking true big-man dominance, the reaction hit harder.

Meanwhile, Ayton put up 18 points and nine rebounds on 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%). However, his season averages—12.4 points, 8.3 boards, and 67.5% shooting—still fall flat for a standard shaped by greatness, especially alongside LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Luka Doncic.

At the same time, the Los Angeles Lakers are on a tear, winning 16 of their last 18 regular-season games. As a result, urgency around Deandre Ayton has quietly faded. Instead, the offense flows smoothly through the Golden trio, dictating tempo and control.

Shaq’s advice to Deandre Ayton

Last month, DA expressed his frustration to the media. He disliked how the team abruptly threw him into the rotation. He said that he wasn’t Clint Capella. Now, after the controversial statement, Shaquille O’Neal came forward with a strong message for the LA Lakers’ big man. Well, Shaq spent eight seasons anchoring the paint for LA, so few understand the demands of that role better than he does.

“If you play hard, you can get things done,” he said on Inside the NBA. He added, “He’s not Clint Capella, because Clint Capella plays hard every game. Clint Capella is a role player. Deandre Ayton is a role player. If you just do your job, pick, and rebound and run the court, you can get easy buckets.”

Meanwhile, the Lakers have gone 11–1 in the 12 games where Deandre Ayton crosses the 20-point mark this season. That trend signals his potential impact. When he finds rhythm, he shifts the balance on both ends, offering scoring punch and interior presence. Depending on matchups, his performance could tilt outcomes and quietly decide how far this team goes. Moreover, the 27-year-old center has averaged 12.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 10 games in his last 10 games for the LA Lakers.

One reaction said everything, and Shaquille O’Neal made sure it echoed loudly. His silent frustration cut deeper than words, especially with Deandre Ayton already under scrutiny. Moreover, the miscue only fueled doubts about his role. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers keep rolling. Therefore, the message is clear. Step up, or risk being left behind in a system that keeps moving.