Shaquille O'Neal was recently inducted to the NBA Hall of Fame and talked about his memories when he was still playing on the court. However, what was more of a buzz was his statement before his acceptance speech about the Los Angeles Lakers possibly not being a top contender for a long time.
O'Neal was part of the Los Angeles Lakers before and he said that the team is going to be definitely exciting but he does not seem them being a contender for a time. He pointed out that the Los Angeles Lakers have to go up against the Golden State Warriors in the West as well as Oklahoma City Thunders, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Houston Rockets. This makes Los Angeles Lakers seemingly at the bottom since it has a long way to go to be a top contender, Sportsrageous reported.
The legendary NBA star added that Brandon Ingram has to "get a little bit stronger" in the upcoming NBA 2016-2017 season. Aside from that, O'Neal feels that not only the roster has to be better but Los Angeles Lakers newly appointed coach, Luke Walton, has to come up with a system where Ingram will be out on the perimeter.
More on Walton, O'Neal believes that he is a young buy but is not afraid to take risks so he may build Los Angeles to be a better team once again. Walton had a very successful coaching stint with the Golden State Warriors last 2015-2016 NBA season.
Sportsblog reported that O'Neal is best remembered not only for his great basketball skills but also his larger than life personality. At one point, he called the Sacramento Kings as the Sacramento Queens making him one of the most open and not afraid NBA players to speak against the other teams.
As for his basketball career, he brought three consecutive championships to the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant. From the 2000 Western Conference Finals against the Blazers to the 2001 NBA finals Game 2, O'Neal was known for giving his best in these specific games.
Los Angeles Lakers has not given a statement yet regarding O'Neals comments about the team not being a top contender anytime soon.
