Media

Shaquille O’Neal on LeBron-AD duo: ‘There will never be the next [Shaq and Kobe]’

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

LeBron James and Anthony Davis have already made major contributions to their respective legacies with the Los Angeles Lakers, but franchise legend Shaquille O’Neal believes the legacy of their duo will never compare to the legacy of O’Neal and Kobe Bryant’s duo.

“There will never be the next [Shaq and Kobe],” O’Neal said.

While the assertion may seem somewhat combative, O’Neal continued to make it clear that Lakers legacies are not meant to be chased or eclipsed. Instead, they are simply meant to be made and appreciated.

“We don’t need them to catch up to us,” O’Neal said. “Kobe and myself were not trying to catch Magic [Johnson] and Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]. … Kobe and I, [our] legacy will never be duplicated. Or imitated.

“We don’t want to get into the situation where they can be the next us because there will never be a next us. Magic and Kareem can never be us. We could never be Magic and Kareem. And we can never be LeBron and AD.”

It’s a powerful sentiment on its own. It’s even more powerful when considering the fact that Bryant, the player who helped O’Neal form his own legacy in L.A., has now passed.

During their time together in L.A., Bryant and O’Neal formed one of the most dominant duos in NBA history. They won three titles together and created an endless list of highlights and headlines.

As for Davis and James, their story has just begun. In one season together, the two already have one title under their belt. Only time will tell how many more they are able to achieve in the years ahead.

Jonathan Sherman

Jonathan is a freelance writer, filmmaker, and passionate fan of the NBA. In the past Jonathan has covered politics, entertainment, travel, and more. He is a proud contributor of Lakers Daily.

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

Recent Posts

Next season, the Lakers will have a Big 3 — Here’s how it will happen

What does it mean to have a Big 3 in the NBA? You might get…

March 19, 2025

Luka Doncic gushes about Jaxson Hayes’ impact for Lakers: ‘For me, it helps a lot’

Los Angeles Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes sat out four games earlier in the month…

March 18, 2025

Report: There was ‘initial fear’ that LeBron could ask out after he was not consulted about Luka trade

The Los Angeles Lakers' recent four-game losing streak notwithstanding, the team's decision to part ways…

March 18, 2025

Lakers insider reveals LeBron James and Rui Hachimura could return ‘by the end of the week’

The Los Angeles Lakers have lost three of their last five games played, and forwards…

March 18, 2025

Lakers insider says Jaxson Hayes will have suitors that will try to poach him in free agency

Los Angeles Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes hasn't suited up for the storied franchise since…

March 16, 2025

Antoine Walker says LeBron wasn’t actually ‘unguardable’ in pickup game with MJ: ‘That wasn’t the case’

Earlier this year, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James recounted a story about playing in…

March 15, 2025