“If I was LeBron James, I’d Skyhook”: Shaquille O’Neal Wanted Lakers Legend to Take Over KAJ With His Trademark Shot But He Did it With a Fadeaway

Akash Murty | 08/02/2023
“If I was LeBron James, I'd Skyhook”: Shaquille O'Neal Wanted Lakers Legend to Take Over KAJ With His Trademark Shot Before He Did it With a Fadeaway

Both Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James have several records in their names, having had some of the longest and most successful careers in NBA history. So, they know how to break one in style. Still, the Diesel had a suggestion for The King as he was nearing the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar record.

Shaq, who is on the #8 spot in NBA’s all-time scoring list wanted James to do it with a specific move when he crosses KAJ with the Bucks and Lakers legend witnessing it happen from the sidelines.

Also read: “Michael Jordan for sure!”: LeBron James Credits Bulls Legend For His ‘Unguardable’ Fadeaway Shot

Shaquille O’Neal wanted LeBron James to Skyhook when he took over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as #1 scorer

In a recent segment of the pregame show on NBA on TNT, while watching James swishing some Skyhooks in practice, the host Adam Lefkoe asked “Mr. Master of Marketing” as he called Shaq, how he’d suggest James should do it.

O’Neal said if were LeBron James he’d do it with a Skyhook.

“If I was him, I’ll do that (skyhook),” said Shaq.

But James, whose sons Bronny and Bryce James both wore Air Jordans courtside, wrote the history against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday with the iconic fadeaway shot that he credits Michael Jordan for.

Also read: “LeBron James is the most ACCOMPLISHED player of all time”: Former Miami Heat Coach Declares Lakers’ 4x MVP His GOAT, Deletes the Tweet Later

James is now officially the NBA’s #1 scorer of all time

With his sons, wife, and mother in the stands, and several other big names along with Kareem witnessing him breaking his record on a historic night, James was quite proficient with his 38 points converting four out of his six shots from downtown and 65% of his field goal attempts.

However, with the whole Lakers team helping him get to the record, and OKC shooting over 50% from the 3-point line and 53% of their field goal attempts, the Thunder stole the game 133-130 right under the Lakers’ nose.

Not so sweet end to the big night as the Lakers are now 25-30, with a 1.5 game differential with the young Thunder team, who are not even trying to contend this season.

Also read: “That, Mr. LeBron James is Etched in Stone”: Bill Russell Once Brought Up His Resume as the 4x Champ Left Him Off his Mount Rushmore

 

 

Post Edited By: Akash Murty
Kareem Abdul Jabbar LA Lakers LeBron James Shaquille O'Neal

About the author

Akash Murty

An Electrical and Electronics Engineer by degree, Akash Murty is an NBA Editor at The SportsRush. Previously a Software Engineer, Murty couldn’t keep himself away from sports, and his knack for writing and putting his opinion forward brought him to the TSR. A big Soccer enthusiast, his interest in basketball developed late, as he got access to a hoop for the first time at 17. Following this, he started watching basketball at the 2012 Olympics, which transitioned to NBA, and he became a fan of the game as he watched LeBron James dominate the league. Him being an avid learner of the game and ritually following the league for around a decade, he now writes articles ranging from throwbacks, and live game reports, to gossip. LA Lakers are his favourite basketball team, while Chelsea has his heart in football. He also likes travelling, reading fiction, and sometimes cooking.

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