Shaquille O’Neal Hunts Down Real Culprit Behind Lakers’ Devastating Defeat vs Nuggets

Published 04/23/2024, 2:34 AM EDT

Shaquille O’Neal’s frustrations about the Lakers’ ongoing losing skid is spilling over. They had a shot at winning Game 2 with a 20-point lead but it ended 101-99 in Denver’s favor. While everyone says The Joker beat the Lakers twice in this series, Shaq is going against the grain. He’s taking a jab at the Lakers’ age-old problem with sustainability and letting LeBron James’ squad who is their own worst enemy.

“They beat themselves twice,” Shaq said regarding the Lakers. Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith didn’t agree. They want to give the Nuggets, especially Nikola Jokic due credit. But only minutes ago, the TNT analysts collectively pointed out the mistakes the Lakers made proving Shaq right.

“They didn’t sustain what they’re doing. They let it slip away.” Miming an imaginary switch in his head, Shaq told the Lakers to, “Turn that focus up,” for Game 3.

Article continues below this ad

Last year the Lakers were swept by the Nuggets. Despite those odds, the former pro who added three championships to Lakers history himself, put his money on his old team to win this series. Yet the Lakers’ 10-0 record presents a different story.

The Lakers prove Shaq right

Just not in the way Shaq wishes. He was hoping his series prediction would come true. But he, along with Kenny and Chuck, watched the Lakers blow a 20-point lead with unnecessary strategies. Kenny pointed out that the Lakers have exhausted all the strategies with Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Rui Hachimura guarding Jokic. Austin Rivers tried stopping Jokic and Darvin Ham keeps mentioning they have more strategies to slow down the MVP frontrunner. Yet the TNT analysts are complaining that the Lakers need to shift their focus off Jokic and focus on the lead they had.

Chuck even said the Lakers arent playing bad (he was referring to AD’s 32-point outing and strong first half) but the Joker is a tough mountain to climb. Shaq dismissed it that it’s not about the Nuggets at all. The Lakers, especially with Bron and AD, have a history of overcoming double-digit deficits. But when they have the lead, they have to keep extending it. Not waste time double-teaming Jokic who is a great passer by Shaq’s standards.

As Shaq said, Game 3 is a must-win. He’s got his fingers crossed that the Lakers take heed of the chatter coming from Studio J and recalibrate their focus. After all, the Lakers legend just loves being right. Do you think Shaq’s pinpointed the Lakers’ true enemy?

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Caroline John is a senior NBA writer at EssentiallySports. She holds a Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from a reputed university. With 8 years of experience in content writing and after judiciously covering the life of Shaquille O’Neal, she even earned an exclusive interview with the CEO of Shaq’s Big Chicken franchise, Josh Halpern.

Edited by:

Jayant Chhabra

Shaquille O’Neal Hunts Down Real Culprit Behind Lakers’ Devastating Defeat vs Nuggets

The Lakers prove Shaq right

Trending

Draymond Green Drops Harsh Criticism on Jalen Brunson, Suggests the Only Way Knicks Can Salvage Playoff Series vs 76ers

“It Will Ruin the Game”: Citing Caitlin Clark’s Example, Geno Auriemma Warns WNBA

WNBA’s Sad Policy Begins Haunting Rookie Caitlin Clark in Dallas: “Liberty Were Fined $500K…”

Bronny in Deep Waters as $800,000 Suffering Forces LeBron James’ Son to End College Career With Major Declining Numbers

Savannah James Will Not Let 9YO Zhuri Follow Women’s Fashion Liberation: “Only So Far I Would Go”