Media

Shaquille O’Neal takes shot at Lakers, says he celebrates Stephen Curry instead: ‘I don’t celebrate 7th place at all’

Published by
Peter Dewey

Los Angeles Lakers legend and current NBA analyst Shaquille O’Neal revealed that he’s not going to root for LeBron James and the Lakers.

Instead, O’Neal prefers to support Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry this season.

“I’m not even going anymore,” O’Neal said on “The Big Podcast with Shaq” when asked about the Lakers removing Staples as their arena sponsor.

Nischelle Turner gave O’Neal some push back, saying that he would return, but the big man came back with a shot at the Lakers.

“No, I’m not,” O’Neal said. “Who want to watch them people play?”

The Lakers are off to a slow start in the 2021-22 season, as they are just 13-13 after Thursday night’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

While LeBron James has only played in 14 of the Lakers’ 26 games this season due to injuries and a one-game suspension, O’Neal explained why he’d rather support another team in California this season.

“I don’t celebrate seventh place at all,” O’Neal said. “I celebrate Steph Curry. That’s who I celebrate. I can go to Golden State and watch him play.”

Curry and the Warriors currently hold the NBA’s best record at 21-4 through their first 25 games.

The three-time NBA champion is having an MVP-caliber start to the season, as he is averaging 27.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from beyond the arc.

The Lakers still have plenty of time to turn this season around, but it appears that O’Neal thinks that is a long shot. Los Angeles lost its first matchup of the year against Golden State and will not play the Warriors again this season until Feb. 12 of next year.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.

Published by
Peter Dewey

Recent Posts

Report: NBA reopening investigation into Jaxson Hayes after disturbing footage surfaces

The NBA is reportedly reopening its investigation into a 2021 incident involving Los Angeles Lakers…

November 3, 2024

Report: Jalen Hood-Schifino has drawn interest from Utah Jazz

The Los Angeles Lakers used a first-round pick on Jalen Hood-Schifino back in the 2023…

November 2, 2024

Report: Lakers could run into trouble with pursuit of Walker Kessler

The Athletic's Jovan Buha became the latest person to connect the Los Angeles Lakers to…

November 1, 2024

Ex-NBA player ‘honored’ that LeBron James has him blocked on X

Former NBA player turned political candidate Royce White made a post on X on Thursday…

November 1, 2024

LeBron doesn’t rule out playing with his 2nd son Bryce in the NBA

Ahead of Wednesday night's bout between the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, a former…

October 31, 2024

Close family friend and ex-teammate declares LeBron, Bronny and Bryce will all play together

According to Cleveland Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will…

October 30, 2024