In Game 5, Anthony Davis, while trying to grab an offensive rebound, took an elbow from Kevon Looney to the face. The 6ft 10″ clenched his face in pain and was rushed off the court for evaluation. Though ruled out for the game, Anthony Davis was eventually cleared from the concussion protocol. After the injury, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley faced severe criticism for laughing at AD’s injury. O’Neal later denied having made fun of Davis’ injury. The Lakers legend, however, did suggest 30-year-old needs to suck it up as reported by The Athletic.
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In the past, O’Neal had faced the kind of criticism he levied on Anthony Davis from his teammate Kobe Bryant. In 2003, Shaquille O’Neal missed 15 games over a toe injury which was questioned by his young teammate in the media. It’s surprising for him to throw similar shade at Davis.
Shaquille O’Neal suggests Anthony Davis should suck it up
Following the injury, Inside the NBA crew was discussing AD’s injury. When Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith were contemplating the injury, Shaq and Chuck began to giggle. Barkley claimed it all started after Shaq crumpled a paper.
The interview immediately drew the ire of fans. Lakers fans even questioned O’Neal’s status as a franchise legend. In all fairness, their laughter was slightly miss-timed and miscommunicated. The duo is known for this so the criticism seems harsher too.
Shaq and Charles Barkley can’t stop laughing at Anthony Davis for leaving game in a wheel chair with a head injury pic.twitter.com/yQhWmcbxCE
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) May 11, 2023
Shaq, in response, refuted the criticism. In an interview posted by The Athletic, O’Neal clarified that he wasn’t making fun of Anthony Davis. Instead, O’Neal stated, he did believe, however, that sometimes players need to play through injury. He justified his statement by giving his own example. Shaq also demanded that the Lakers’ current star should ‘suck it up.’
““I ain’t making fun of nobody, that’s not what I do. But I do know you’re not going to stop me from playing in that Game 6.” He continued, “You see why I walk funny?” O’Neal said. “Because I sucked it up. You see why my toes don’t bend? Because I sucked it up.”
Kobe Bryant once accused Shaq of exaggerating his injury
In 2003, O’Neal faced criticism from the media and Lakers coaching staff for missing delaying his toe surgery and missing 15 games. But none of them were as vocal as Kobe Bryant who went on to openly share his disdain with his 7ft 1″ teammate’s decision during an interview with ESPN’s Jim Gray.
2003 was the crescendo of the feud that had brewed in LA since 1998-99. Kobe and Shaq were at their worst behavior. And Brynat was furious at Shaq for questioning his availability.
Kobe: “I probably won’t play tomorrow night or until I’m ready. But I don’t need Shaq’s advice on how to play hurt. I’ve played with IVs before, during and after games. I’ve played with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a torn shoulder, a fractured tooth, a severed lip, and a knee the size of a softball. I don’t miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn’t that serious in the first place.”
It’s surprising for Shaq to put Anthony Davis under the same scanner he faced all those years ago. But then again, this is the fate of an athlete. You forget the intensity of your struggles and remember only the triumphs.
