During an episode of ‘The Big Podcast,’ four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal offered his candid opinion on LeBron James’ involvement in the Lakers’ search for a head coach. During the broadcast, O’Neal mocked the idea that LeBron was not engaged in JJ Redick’s employment and maintained that the King was involved in all significant decisions.
O’Neal said, “Yeah I’m starting a website called yeah right/bulls**t.com. Everything goes through LeBron. Everything goes through LeBron and I know that for a fact because when you’re in that position of leadership, you get to know everything. I was in that seat for a long time and nothing went without my permission.”
He added, “The only time something went down without my permission was when they cut my head and traded me. And then Kobe took over, and nothing went down without his permission. So I know that everything that goes on is definitely discussed with LeBron and Rich Paul. It’s professional of him to say ‘We didn’t talk about it’ but yeah, okay, nobody believes that.”
Shortly after their final playoff game against the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers dismissed Darvin Ham. Ultimately, an ambiguous and erratic coaching search became a JJ Redick campaign.
After retiring from the NBA three years ago, Redick, a fifteen-year veteran of the league, has become a famous voice in the media on ESPN and his podcast, “The Old Man & The Three.” He even started a program called “Mind the Game,” where he and four-time champion LeBron James discussed the subtleties and tactics of the game.
Shaquille O’Neal Made the Comments as He Knows the Working Dynamics of an NBA Team
Shaquille O’Neal is aware of this power dynamic since, in his prime, he went through a similar scenario with the Lakers. Every decision was discussed with him, and the Lakers tried to avoid any actions that O’Neal would not approve of. Not until he fell out with Kobe Bryant were his standing and authority questioned.
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Despite losing Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe, the Lakers still have LeBron James. We’ve seen how far his club will go to win over its marquee players. LeBron has complete control over the Lake Show, even at this point in his career. So, you can be confident that they would not have recruited JJ Redick without his express consent.
However, now that LeBron’s goal has come true, the onus is on him and JJ to pull everything together. There will be grave concerns regarding Redick’s hiring and whether the Lakers should follow LeBron’s lead if they cannot demonstrate their worth in the West the next season.
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