With 1 win in the last 4 and 4 wins in the last 13 games, the Bucks seem to be losing confidence as playoff time looms. With Damian Lillard out indefinitely and rumors of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade, the Milwaukee franchise’s end-of-season run seems uncertain. But Shaquille O’Neal challenges another star in the team who has been a former champion with the Lakers to step up. The star in question is none other than Kyle Kuzma.

“If I’m Kuzma right now, I’m taking this challenge personally, you know. Kuzma came in celebrated with the Lakers, got traded to Washington; everybody thought he was a joke.” Shaq’s blunt assessment during the recent NBA on TNT show is wrong. The Michigan-born player during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kuzma earned high praise for his ability to be a productive scorer next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, since his move to the Wizards, his stock has dropped tremendously.

That’s why Shaquille O’Neal wants the former Lakers star to turn it around. “Now that you’re with a contender when Dame is there and Dame is gone. If I’m him, I’m really really focused, and then 14.9 he’s averaging, I’m trying to bring it up.” A blood clot in his right calf has currently ruled Damian Lillard out indefinitely. Even though Giannis continues to produce his number, at some point, he will need somebody to support. That’s where Kuzma comes in, as per Shaq.

“If he can average 20 and play serious, like he takes a lot of ill-advised silly shots for me. I need him to be focused; every shot needs to be concentrated. I want him to take high percentage shots, the three when it’s open get to the hole, get to the foul line.” O’Neal then predicted a bright future if Kuzma starts drilling those shots. “He needs to really step his game up and again, if they maintain the spot they’re in now, I think they can beat the Knicks in the first round.”

The 29-year-old has only breached the 20 points per game mark just 5 times during his time with the Bucks. That’s why the Big Aristotle stated, “However, I need this guy, Kyle Kuzma, to really step this game up.”

When Shaquille O’Neal wanted the Lakers to stick with Kuzma

Right off the bat, the Utes alum scored his first double-double in his first start for the Purple and Gold franchise. At the time, the Lakers had LeBron James but also a young core of Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart, among others. So, when they were looking to add Anthony Davis from the Pelicans, many suggested trading away as many young players as possible. But Shaq wanted his former team to ride with Kuzma.

“I don’t think Kyle Kuzma should ever be on the trading block.” Shaquille O’Neal said via NBA on TNT in 2019. “I like that kid. I like the way he plays… I’m never trading Kyle Kuzma.” And the franchise apparently heard the 4x NBA champion and other young stars, along with draft picks, were part of the trade to bring in AD.

So, it seems O’Neal is still a fan of the 29-year-old, and that’s why he issued a challenge to him. Previously, Shaq had done the same to Jamal Murray to help the Nuggets’ chances of winning. Currently, Kuzma is the third-highest scoring option for the Bucks with 14.6 points. With Lillard out indefinitely, Giannis surely would need another partner to power through the playoffs. Only time will tell if Kuzma can really step up and become that option.