Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal believes LeBron James has earned a place among the Los Angeles Lakers' greats due to his championship and clutch performances. However, O'Neal stopped short of placing James in the franchise's highest tier.
"He definitely won a championship there and was a big game player, so he’s in the building," O'Neal told Fox News Digital. "Top floor belongs to Magic (Johnson), Kobe (Bryant), and Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar). I’m going to put Kareem."
O'Neal categorized himself and other players on the second floor, noting that Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson played longer for the Lakers. He suggested James will likely remain below those legends, but this does not diminish his overall impact on the game.
James joined the Philadelphia 76ers in the offseason, forming a new-look team with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and also adding Jaylen Brown. O'Neal expressed concern about how the ball-handling responsibilities will be managed with so many players accustomed to having the ball late in the shot clock.
"If you look at that roster, it could be a legendary or dangerous roster. The dangerous part is I’m worried about Maxey and Brown, because Embiid is going to want the ball, and LeBron loves having the ball," O'Neal stated. "Brown and Maxey are both used to having the ball deep into the shot clock to get into their shot. With LeBron holding the ball and Embiid wanting it in the post, them getting only two or three seconds with the shot clock is a different game. I don't know if they are going to be ready for that."
James helped the Lakers secure the 2020 NBA title in the league's bubble, earning Finals MVP honors. This marked his fourth championship, and he is one of four players in NBA history to win titles with three different teams, alongside John Salley, Robert Horry, and Danny Green. He now aims to win a title with a fourth team, a feat no player has achieved.
O'Neal also spoke about his personal connection with cereal, particularly Lucky Charms, as part of a partnership with General Mills. He described cereal as a childhood comfort that brings out his inner child, reminiscing about late-night snacks and the joy of enjoying a bowl of cereal.
James became the NBA's all-time leading scorer in February 2023, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record, which had stood for nearly four decades. O'Neal acknowledged this significant achievement.
