Shaquille O’Neal, the legendary NBA player, recently opened up about his time playing alongside LeBron James during the 2009-2010 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In a candid admission, Shaq revealed that he wishes he had met LeBron two years earlier. According to him, if they had teamed up sooner, they could have achieved even greater success.
A tweet by ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) captures the essence of Shaq’s statement: “”If I had met him two years earlier, we definitely could’ve won… Really great [guy and player]… So that’s why when they talk about him being one of the best ever. I do agree.” Shaq on his time with LeBron James and the Cavs ️” This statement highlights Shaq’s belief that a championship with LeBron could have been achieved under different circumstances.
“If I had met him two years earlier, we definitely could’ve won… Really great [guy and player]… So that's why when they talk about him being one of the best ever. I do agree.”
Shaq on his time with LeBron James and the Cavs 🗣️
(via @bigpodwithshaq)pic.twitter.com/5lJ3qxMhOY
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 24, 2024
Shaquille and LeBron shared the court during a pivotal period in both of their careers. LeBron was already establishing himself as one of the best players in the league, while Shaq was a seasoned veteran with an impressive track record. Together, they formed a formidable duo, but Shaq believes that their partnership could have been even more impactful.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Jealousy
In a recent episode of “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” O’Neal confessed that he admired LeBron’s leadership abilities and talent. However, he also experienced some envy. Shaq said, “LeBron was actually the best leader, the best young leader I’d seen. And I was kinda jealous of him because he got to do stuff I could never do.”
LeBron’s Influence
LeBron’s impact extended beyond the basketball court. He had the power to influence team decisions, including practice schedules. Shaquille recalled, “Like, coach would be like, ‘Hey man, we practicing at 10.’ LeBron would be like, ‘No, we practicing at 12,’ ‘All right, practice at 12.’ And I was like, God damn.”
LeBron’s privileges weren’t limited to the team either. He could bring family members on team flights, a level of influence that Shaq had never experienced. While Shaq’s envy is understandable, it’s essential to recognize that LeBron’s privileges were hard-earned. The Cavs had struggled before LeBron’s arrival, but he quickly turned them into contenders.
Shaquille’s regret centers around the timing of their partnership. If he had joined forces with LeBron earlier, they might have achieved even greater success. The combination of Shaq’s dominant presence in the paint and LeBron’s versatility on the perimeter could have been unstoppable.
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