Latest news with #O'Neal
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Shaquille O'Neal believes he could have dominated on the Golden State Warriors
During his playing days, Shaquille O'Neal was the most dominant player in the NBA, maybe in history. His presence on the hardwood ensured defenses would hone in on him, as they tried to take away easy buckets around the paint. Due to that level of gravity, his running mates would often find themselves free to get to their spots or attack out of isolations. That's why, during a recent episode of the "Off The Record Podcast," O'Neal made the bold declaration that he would have won six championships if he were partnered with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. His comments came as he was discussing his time with Kobe Bryant on the Los Angeles Lakers, and how he would have enjoyed playing next to Tracey McGrady. "Our guy (Kobe) had room to operate cuz I got 3 people on me…I agree with what T-Mac said. Probably get a lot of flak, but I always said myself, I think I could've got 3 in a row with T-Mac, I think I could've got 2 with Vince, Oh I know I get 6 with Steph" Curry has rarely had a reliable big man next to him. Part of the Warriors' success was their ability to play small, and how that provided them with the ability to play up-tempo, highly-skilled basketball. However, it's hard to dispute that an inside-out pairing of Curry and O'Neal would have been historically dominant. Still, there's no guarantee that the partnership would have ended in six championships, even if Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were also on the roster. Nevertheless, it's a fun alternative universe to consider, as O'Neal was doing in that podcast episode. This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Shaquille O'Neal expects Lakers to finish in top four in West
Right now, just about everyone agrees that the Los Angeles Lakers are a playoff team, but not a championship contender. Some more cynical pundits and observers have the Lakers falling into the play-in tournament. The team lost 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency, but it at least somewhat recovered by signing promising forward Jake LaRavia and center Deandre Ayton. In particular, Ayton has the ability to elevate the Lakers' ceiling, given how weak they were at the 5 spot this past season. Los Angeles lacks perimeter defenders, but legendary center Shaquille O'Neal said that he's more concerned about another thing the team needs more of. 'They have a legitimate big now, got two premier players,' O'Neal said. 'I'm still worried about the shooting. It's a three-point league now. Not guys that can shoot, (I'm talking about) bonafide shooters. Guys that are guaranteed, like JJ Redick. He was a bonafide shooter. They got the point guard, got the off-guard, got a legitimate center. Their chances are much better now.' However, O'Neal then added that he expects L.A. to get a top-four seed in the Western Conference this coming season. 'You got two premier players,' says O'Neal. 'You got a big guy that can do certain things. Those three players should be able to get you to one through four. If they don't have home court advantage, I'll be very disappointed.' In Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the Lakers have what many feel is a legitimate "big three." With Ayton and underrated forward Rui Hachimura rounding out their starting five, they could become an offensive juggernaut. Yes, the West has gotten a little better, mostly because Kevin Durant has moved to the Houston Rockets, who were the No. 2 seed this past season. But it's easy to forget that L.A. was the No. 3 seed, despite a very rough stretch early in the season and another rough stretch in March. It also had to develop chemistry on the fly once Doncic arrived in early February, something that is never easy to do late in the season.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Shaquille O'Neal Reveals Strong Concern About Lakers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Lakers have had a quiet NBA offseason thus far. Rob Pelinka has made a couple of outside moves, but the team has not had an aggressive approach thus far. Part of the reason for that is due to their financial situation. LeBron James opted in to the final year of his contract with the team that will pay him just over $52.6 million. They will also need to get a major long-term deal done with Luka Doncic in the near future. Pelinka and company are planning the future around Doncic. They do not want to make moves that will take them out of the running to bring in a future superstar to pair with Doncic. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Shaquille O'Neal attends a semifinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena between the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks on December 14, 2024 in Las... Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Shaquille O'Neal attends a semifinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena between the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks on December 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. More Photo byWhile all of that makes sense, the Lakers do need to make moves if they want to compete for a championship this season. It seems likely that they will have one more year with Doncic and James playing together barring a trade or buyout with the 40-year-old superstar. Read more: Report: Lakers May Face Luka Doncic Threat From Western Conference Rival Shaquille O'Neal recently spoke out about the team. He revealed one major concern that he has about Los Angeles and the way the roster currently stands. During an exclusive interview with D.J. Siddiqi of O'Neal opened up that he doesn't think the Lakers have enough perimeter shooting. "They have a legitimate big now, got two premier players," O'Neal said. "I'm still worried about the shooting. It's a three-point league now. Not guys that can shoot, (I'm talking about) bonafide shooters. Guys that are guaranteed, like JJ Reddick. He was a bonafide shooter. They got the point guard, got the off-guard, got a legitimate center. Their chances are much better now." He also opened up about his thoughts on what kind of season the team should be able to put together. O'Neal expects Los Angeles to have some kind of home-court advantage come playoff time, which would place them among the top four teams in the Western Conference. "The Thunder are coming off the championship. They're going to be high, they know what it takes to win the championship," O'Neal said. "Denver, they're going to be making some noise. It's about you get eight spots to make the playoffs, they're going to have to be between one through eight. I expect them to have some type of home court advantage." Read more: LeBron James' NBA Future Gets Major Update Amid Lakers Drama It will be very interesting to see what the upcoming season has in store for the Lakers. Being led by Doncic and James will give them a fighting chance. Making the additions of Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia are quality moves, but O'Neal would like to see more shooting. Perhaps Pelinka can make that happen before the season gets underway. For more on the Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
New York Post
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Shaq threatens Robert Griffin III over Angel Reese post: I'll ‘punch you in your f–king face'
Shaquille O'Neal is beyond furious with Robert Griffin III over his comments on Angel Reese. 'RG3? Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I'm going to punch you in your f—ing face,' O'Neal said Tuesday on Bailey Jackson's 'Off the Record' podcast. 'It's enough. I don't usually do stuff like this, but just stop it bro.' Griffin III, the sports media personality and former NFL quarterback, has been embroiled in controversy over his July 10 post on X, in which he strongly denounced a racist photo edit of Reese, but gave the racist image a greater platform by reposting it. In the post, Griffin also reiterated his previous statement that Reese 'hates' Caitlin Clark, and wrote that people in Reese's inner circle called him and 'told me I was right.' Reese responded in a post on X that was clearly pointed at Griffin III, writing, 'Lying on this app when everybody know the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work.' 3 Angel Reese with the Chicago Sky on June 12. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images O'Neal, who has had a close bond with Reese dating back to the Chicago Sky forward's days at LSU, made his feelings on the situation abundantly clear. 'You got your job, you got your podcast,' O'Neal, who also played at LSU, said in a message to Griffin III. 'Leave my Angel Reese alone. I'm the one calling her telling her not to respond. F–ing stop it. That's the last time. OK?' 3 Robert Griffin III on the broadcast of a game between the Patriots and Cardinals on Dec. 12, 2024. Getty Images O'Neal, the 7-foot-1, 325-pound Hall of Famer and four-time NBA champion, continued to lay into Griffin III, who played seven seasons in the NFL. 'It's a shame that all the stuff you did in your life, you're going to be remembered for your podcast,' O'Neal added. 'That should tell you you're not that f–ing great. I don't want to be remembered for Shaq's 'Big Podcast.' I do not. Leave those girls alone.' 3 Shaquille O'Neal said he would punch Robert Griffin III 'in your f–ing face' if he tweets about Angel Reese again. @baileyjsports/X O'Neal added that Griffin III has no 'G14 classification' to make comments about Reese. 'I would respect it more if Lisa Leslie said it, like that's [women's basketball players'] category,' O'Neal added. 'Stay out of them peoples' category.'
Los Angeles Times
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
The Sports Report: Is Kobe Bryant one of the 10 best players in NBA history?
Hey, I'm back from Covid! Did everyone miss me? I see no hands raised out there. No one? OK, well, on to the news! From Chuck Schilken: Shaquille O'Neal has an issue with a recent ranking of the all-time best NBA players. On Monday, Bleacher Report released its list of the 'top 100 NBA players ever,' based on a compilation of rankings from a 'legion of B/R NBA experts, writers and editors.' O'Neal finished just outside the top five. He didn't seem to have an issue with that. Shaq's beef was with the placement of his former Lakers teammate, the late Kobe Bryant, who landed outside of the top 10. 'Kobe at 11 is criminal,' O'Neal wrote on X in the comments of a Bleacher Report post that revealed the list's top 20. He left his comment a little more than an hour after the original Bleacher Report post went live. Here are the 10 players ranked ahead of Bryant, in order from the top: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain and Stephen Curry. Bryant is followed on the list by Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin Durant, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West. Do you think Bryant is one of the 10 best NBA players of all time? Click here to vote in our survey and let us know. Continue reading here ———— From Broderick Turner: Even with all the sports dignitaries in attendance and even though they were watching a rivalry game of sorts between the Lakers and Clippers, the fans inside the Thomas & Mack Center still were mostly enamored with Bronny James. That is the kind of drawing power James had even with his dad, LeBron James, watching again from his baseline seats. That's the kind of draw James had even with Steve Ballmer, Tyronn Lue, JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka in attendance. Even with Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Kawhi Leonard looking on, Bronny James was the center of attention yet again. James had one of his better NBA Summer League games, but it was the Clippers who came out on top in a 67-58 win Monday night at Nevada Las Vegas. James had 17 points, five rebounds and five assists in 24 minutes and 17 seconds. Continue reading here Lakers-Clippers box score From Broderick Turner: The Clippers team Brook Lopez grew up watching as a young kid in Southern California is not that same franchise anymore. These Clippers are about putting a winning product on the court and about putting together the right talent to win games — and that is what sold Lopez on signing with them. 'It's crazy to see, but it's very cool — seeing the climb, the ascent,' Lopez said Monday afternoon at a news conference hours before the Clippers and Lakers played each other in an NBA Summer League game at Nevada Las Vegas. 'I'm a Cali boy. I grew up in the Valley, in North Hollywood. Obviously things were very different back then and to see where the Clippers have come now, it's just astonishing, it's beautiful. I'm glad to be a part of it and hopefully I can help take them even further up.' Lopez decided not to return to the Bucks after seven seasons in Milwaukee and opted not to sign with the Lakers, joining the Clippers on a two-year, $18-million deal. Continue reading here From Bill Shaikin: The suspension of former Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías ends Wednesday. The next day, Major League Baseball will remove him from its restricted list, and any team that wishes to sign him can do so. Scott Boras, the agent for Urías, said the pitcher — the only player suspended twice for violating baseball's policy on domestic violence and sexual assault — hopes to resume playing. 'He still has every intention to continue his career,' Boras said here Monday. 'He's getting in shape. Obviously, he'll have options that are open to him.' Boras declined to discuss any of those potential options Monday, since the suspension has not yet expired. It is believed that multiple teams have checked in on Urías, but it is uncertain whether a deal would be struck and, if so, he might be able to help a major league team. 'It depends on how teams view the situation and view his skill,' Boras said. Continue reading here Jacob Misiorowski is the talk of the All-Star Game. Why Dodgers are partially to thank Seattle's Cal Raleigh becomes first catcher to win MLB All-Star Home Run Derby MLB draft: Landon Hodge of Crespi goes to the White Sox in the fourth round From Thuc Nhi Nguyen: LA28 released the first look at the 2028 Olympic competition schedule on Monday, exactly three years before the Games open on July 14, 2028. The slate is highlighted by a break in tradition to accommodate the organizing committee's unique, dual-venue opening ceremony plan. Instead of beginning the schedule with swimming, as has been customary in recent Games, track and field will instead take place during the first week of competition from July 15 to 24 at the Coliseum. Swimming will follow from July 22 to 30 at SoFi Stadium, where an indoor pool will be built after the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony, now officially scheduled for 5 p.m. PDT on July 14, 2028, will be shared between the Coliseum and SoFi Stadium. Swimming will deliver the final competition of the 2028 Olympics as the last medal events are set to begin at 3 p.m. on July 30, 2028. Three hours later, the Olympic Games will conclude with the closing ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Coliseum. Continue reading here 1912 — Jim Thorpe wins the decathlon at the Stockholm Olympics and, in the closing ceremony, Sweden's King Gustav proclaims Thorpe the world's greatest athlete. 1922 — Gene Sarazen shoots a final-round 68 to beat out Bobby Jones and John Black for the U.S. Open golf championship. 1923 — Amateur Bobby Jones beats Bobby Cruikshank by two strokes in a playoff to win the U.S. Open golf title. 1927 — Bobby Jones wins the British Open shooting a championship record 7-under 285 at the Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland. It's the second straight Open title for the amateur, who goes wire-to-wire for a six-stroke victory over Aubrey Boomer and Fred Dobson. 1945 — Byron Nelson defeats Sam Byrd in the final round of the PGA golf tournament. 1961 — Arnold Palmer shoots a 284 at Royal Birkdale to win his first British Open title. 1967 — Argentina's Roberto DeVicenzo wins the British Open by two strokes over defending champion Jack Nicklaus. 1972 — Lee Trevino wins his second consecutive British Open title by beating Jack Nicklaus by one stroke. 1978 — Jack Nicklaus shoots a 281 at St. Andrews to win his third and final British Open. 1984 — Hollis Stacy wins her third U.S. Women's Open golf title, beating Rosie Jones by one stroke. 1990 — Betsy King overcomes an 11-shot deficit over the final 33 holes to win her second consecutive U.S. Women's Open as Patty Sheehan blows an eight-shot lead over the final 23 holes. 1991 — Sandhi Ortiz-DelValle becomes the first woman to officiate a men's pro basketball game, working a United States Basketball League game between the New Haven Skyhawks and the Philadelphia Spirit. 2000 — Lennox Lewis stops Francois Botha at 2:39 of the second round to retain his WBC and IBF heavyweight titles in London. 2007 — BYU star Daniel Summerhays becomes the first amateur winner in Nationwide Tour history. Summerhays scores a two-stroke victory over Chad Collins and Chris Nallen in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational. 2007 — Copa América Final, Maracaibo, Venezuela: Defending champions Brazil win their 8th title with a 3-0 win over Argentina. 2010 — Rory McIlroy, a 21-year-old from Northern Ireland, ties the major championship record by shooting a 9-under 63 in the opening round of the British Open at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. 2010 — Caster Semenya wins her first race since being cleared to return to competition after undergoing gender tests, winning the 800 meters in a modest time against a weak field at a low-key meet in Finland. 2018 — Novak Djokovic wins his fourth Wimbledon title with a 6-2, 6-2 7-6 (3) victory over Kevin Anderson. It's Djokovic's 13th major trophy, the fourth-highest total in the history of men's tennis, trailing only Roger Federer's 20, Rafael Nadal's 17 and Pete Sampras' 14. At No. 21, Djokovic is the lowest-ranked Wimbledon titlist since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001. 2018 — France wins its second World Cup title with a 4-2 win over Croatia in a dramatic final in Moscow. 1901 — Christy Mathewson of the New York Giants pitched his first of two career no-hitters, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 5-0. 1921 — NY Yankees slugger Babe Ruth ties MLB record of 138 career home runs (held by Roger Connor since 1895). 1960 — Baltimore's Brooks Robinson goes 5-for-5, hitting for the cycle and driving in three runs to lead the Orioles past the Chicago White Sox 5-2. 1969 — Cincinnati's Lee May hit four home runs in a doubleheader split with the Atlanta Braves. May had two home runs and drove in five runs in both games. The Reds lost the opener 9-8 but won the second game 10-4. 1969 — Rod Carew stole home off Chicago's Gerry Nyman in the Minnesota Twins' 6-2 victory. It was Carew's seventh steal of home for the year and tied Pete Reiser's 1946 major league mark. 1973 — Nolan Ryan of the Angels struck out 17 batters and threw his second no-hitter of the year, beating Detroit 6-0. 1980 — Johnny Bench broke Yogi Berra's record for home runs by a catcher, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Montreal Expos 12-7. Bench hit his 314th homer as a catcher off David Palmer. Bench had 33 home runs while playing other positions. 1997 — The San Francisco Giants scored 13 runs to set a modern NL record for runs in a seventh inning en route to a 16-2 rout of the San Diego Padres. The Giants set the NL record for the most runs in a seventh inning since 1900. 1999 — After 22½ years in the dreary Kingdome, Seattle finally played a home game outdoors, moving into a $517.6-million ballpark with a retractable roof. Jose Mesa wasted a ninth-inning lead by walking four batters and the Mariners lost 3-2 to the San Diego Padres in Safeco Field's opener. 2003 — Garret Anderson of the Angels went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and a double, powering the American League past the National League 7-6 in the All-Star Game. 2005 — Baltimore's Rafael Palmeiro became the 26th player to reach 3,000 hits, curling an RBI double into the left-field corner off Joel Pineiro in the fifth inning of a 6-3 win over Seattle. Palmeiro joined Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players with 3,000 hits and 500 homers. 2007 — The Philadelphia Phillies lost their 10,000th game, 10-2 to St. Louis. The franchise, born in 1883 as the Philadelphia Quakers and later unofficially called the Blue Jays in the mid-1940s, fell to 8,810-10,000. 2008 — Justin Morneau slid home just in time on Michael Young's sacrifice fly in the 15th inning, giving the American League a 4-3 victory in the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. The AL extended its unbeaten streak to 12. 2014 — With Derek Jeter going out a winner in his last All-Star appearance, Mike Trout drove in two runs with a triple and a double to lead the American League past the National League 5-3. Jeter started his 14th and final midsummer classic and went 2 for 2 before being removed in the top of the fourth inning. 2017 — Cody Bellinger became the first Dodgers rookie to hit for the cycle and Alex Wood became the first Dodgers pitcher in more than a century to win his first 11 decisions in a season, helping Los Angeles beat the Miami Marlins 7-1. 2021 — Tampa Bay catcher Travis d'Arnaud becomes first player in MLB history to hit 3 homers while catching and batting leadoff in the Rays' 5-4 win over the NY Yankees. Compiled by the Associated Press That concludes today's newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you'd like to see, email me at To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.
