“On That Bron Bron”: Shaquille O’Neal Hints Toward LeBron James’ Alleged Steroid Use

You can’t be one of the GOAT candidates without enduring a fair share of criticism and questions. LeBron James, for instance, has spent the last decade battling whispers about possible use of performance-enhancing drugs.

At 40 years old, James continues to defy everything we thought we knew about athletic decline. He still plays at the highest level, logging heavy minutes, finishing at the rim, running the break, while avoiding major injuries. The question remains: Is he using substances to enhance his performance?

LeBron’s level of consistency and physical dominance feels almost unnatural at his age. And for many, that’s where the speculation begins. Now Shaquille O’Neal seems to have joined the chorus of those questioning whether LeBron might be doing something unethical to maintain performance.

During an appearance on The Dreamerspro Show, Shaq needed a hand getting up from his seat. When Fred Taylor reached out to help, O’Neal glanced at his arm and made a comment that raised more than a few eyebrows: “On that motherf***in Bron Bron, ain’t you?”

The room burst out laughing, but the weight of Shaq’s statement lingered. In context, it seemed like a compliment about Taylor’s physique, but tying it to LeBron’s name was bound to stir controversy.

It wasn’t a direct accusation — not even serious on the surface. But it fanned the flames of a conversation that always burns quietly in the background. Is it fair? Probably not.

While there’s never been a single failed test or any shred of proof against LeBron, allegations keep popping up every few months. On the quest to get more information out on this subject, people have tried different methods.

For instance, when DeMarcus Cousins was on Dwight Howard’s Above The Rim with DH12 podcast last year, he was asked the same question. While discussing the GOATs of the game, Cousins applauded LeBron for doing the unthinkable at his age.

But before he could finish his thoughts, Howard interrupted with a pointed question: “You think it’s steroids?” Cousins didn’t fall for the bait. He simply replied, “Ain’t gonna get into that.”

LeBron has famously invested millions into maintaining his body. His off-court regimen is the stuff of legend: hyperbaric chambers, cryotherapy, personal chefs, and year-round training. If there’s one athlete in the league who’s treated his body like a temple, it’s James.

Still, when you’re 40, jumping out of the gym and dominating elite athletes 15 years younger, questions are inevitable. And it’s not just coming from the basketball world.

Former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen — known for his hot takes — had been vocal on this topic as well. He’s gone beyond speculation, claiming once that he had evidence against LeBron.

“He [LeBron] and I have one thing in common: We use the same drug dealer to buy our EPO [Erythropoietin]. And I don’t see anything wrong with that… It was something called EPO,” Sonnen had said in 2023.

EPO is a hormone produced in the body that stimulates red blood cell production. Athletes consume it to raise their red blood cell counts, which increases the amount of oxygen that can be delivered to muscles. This is known to indirectly improve recovery and endurance.

Again, Sonnen’s claim was not proven. As things stand, LeBron’s career remains free of PED blemishes, rendering the rumors and allegations surfacing now and then as baseless speculation.