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Shaquille O’Neal Threatens to Tear Down Los Angeles Lakers’ 2023 Pride After LeBron and Co Crumble vs Suns

Published 01/12/2024, 12:58 AM EST

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Well, that was all she wrote. On a day that might be full of some of the most lopsided scores in NBA history, another one came to the party. This time, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered courtesy of the Phoenix Suns. The entire game was disappointing for fans in La La Land, with the final score of 127-109 somehow making it seem closer than it was. With the team not finding any semblance of continuity since the In-Season Tournament,  Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal has a request for the team’s GM Rob Pelinka.

Rather than tell him directly, O’Neal went the old-school route. “You know what I would do if I was Rob, Rob Pelinka? I’m saying, ‘If you guys don’t make the playoffs, I’m taking that damn In-Season Tournament Championship banner down.” 

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That’ll show ’em. If you guys don’t make the play-in or the playoffs, I’m taking that damn banner down.” The situation seems bleak for the Lakers. Previously, LeBron James was explosive in his dissection of the team, straight up claiming, “We s**k.” 

However, with calls for a firing of Head Coach Darvin Ham, the team was able to respond with back-to-back wins. As a result, even The King had to concede that it was a step in the right direction. But, with their embarrassment at the hands of Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant, the team might be back to square one.

USA Today via Reuters

Speaking of square one, a former Suns legend can only find embarrassment for himself. Despite Phoenix’s brilliance, his GUARANTEE continues to fall short.

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Charles Barkley makes a false prediction…again

Before the game began, the crew was locked in an intense discussion about the two teams. With Charles Barkley and Diesel’s connections to the franchise, their passion for these two teams in particular was evident. Barkley, however, was especially harsh in his commentary of the Suns.

Claiming that the team didn’t have an identity, and was “just playing basketball”, Chuck didn’t leave any stones unturned. Further, he would question whether the team has any leadership or toughness. Most notably, his biggest problem was the lack of a point guard for the team. According to the 1993 NBA MVP, the duo of Booker and Beal could not co-exist together.

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But, in an explosive outing, both found their flow and rhythm. With the Big 3 finally getting some continuity together, could this be a sign of things to come from The Valley? 

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Priyanshu

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