‘James Harden, I am not a yes man’: Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal fires back at Nets star after he accuses Shaq of putting him down

The James Harden trade was met with mostly skeptical reactions from the Inside the NBA crew. Shaquille O’Neal doubled down on his criticism today.

The Nets Big 3 lost the first game that they took the floor together for. The young and upcoming Cleveland Cavaliers presented them with some stout resistance. 7 of the Cavs scored in double digits on the night, but the honors were taken by Collin Sexton.

The 22-year-old combo guard had a career night, scoring 42 points through 4 quarters and 2 overtime periods. He scored 20 straight points for Cleveland in the final periods, including the crucial game-tying points in OT1.

Also Read: ‘Like Michael Jordan, he can put pressure on the defense’: J B Bickerstaff lauded Collin Sexton after a majestic 42-point outing against Kevin Durant and the Nets

James Harden himself got his second triple-double for the Nets. It was a 21 point night on only 14 shots, as Harden deferred to Irving and KD.

Shaquille O’Neal continues to criticize James Harden

Appearing on First Take this morning, Shaquille O’Neal bared his mind on the Harden trade once again:

“KD knows what it takes to win a championship, so does Kyrie. James hasn’t been there yet, it’s time to win a championship. All the talk about going to the Finals, no no, he’s not a young player.”

“This isn’t his first or second year, championship or bust. I think James has a little problem with what I said. He hasn’t stepped up yet. All that talk about you know we should be uplifting brothers and all that, I uplift my brother but I am here with the truth. I am not a Yes Man.”

.@SHAQ insists it’s championship or bust for James Harden this season.

“I uplift my brothers by telling them the truth. I’m not a yes man, okay! You ain’t show up yet [in the playoffs]. You gotta win the championship. … If they don’t win a championship this year it’s a bust!” pic.twitter.com/kf8UPmLhRD

— First Take (@FirstTake) January 21, 2021

“You ain’t show up yet. You gotta win the championship. All that making it top the finals, you are supposed to make the finals, but you are also supposed to win. I want to see some people win. I wish them well, I hope they win, but if they don’t get a championship, it’s a bust.”

Also Read: “I’ll just shoot it myself”: When Allen Iverson hilariously put down rookie Kyle Korver for missing 3-pointers off his passes for Sixers