Shaq on LeBron's leadership: 'Was 1st time I didn't have to do anything'

[Lebron23]

Shaq on LeBron's leadership: 'Was 1st time I didn't have to do anything'

By Ananth Pandian | NBA writer

June 7, 2015 2:36 pm ET

Shaquille O'Neal was at the end of his storied NBA career when he joined LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2009-2010 NBA season. At the time, it seemed like a solid move by the Cavs as they were desperately trying to build a championship roster around James. O'Neal was expected to provide the Cavs with a low-post presence but injuries got the better of him, forcing Shaq to only suit up for 53 regular season games.

O'Neal was able to play in the playoffs and helped the Cavs get to the second round where they lost to the Boston Celtics. While the James/O'Neal pairing didn't live up to their championship expectations, Shaq was quite happy to play with LeBron. Mainly because James was a great leader and did the heavy lifting as he told Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick.

"It was the first time I didn't have to do anything."

In his prime, O'Neal was perhaps the most dominant player to ever play in the NBA, imposing his will on opponents with ease. Shouldering the burden with players like Anfernee Hardaway, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade, O'Neal was able to lead the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat to the NBA Finals. As a go-to player, Shaq was able to win three championships with the Lakers and one with Heat.

But by the time he got to Cleveland, he was on the tail end of his career and became more of a role player. Thanks to LeBron's leadership, it seems like this transition went smoothly. Shaq knew that the Cavs were LeBron's team so he could sit back and provide his veteran insight when needed.

Shaq's comments echo what Delonte West recently said about James. While James has many detractors, it seems like players genuinely enjoyed playing and being led by him.

UPDATE: An earlier version of this story was based on Skolnick's tweet that O'Neal had said "everything" instead of "anything."

Shaq is a funny man. Shaquille O'Neal appreciates LeBron James' leadership skills. (USATSI)

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-...-do-everything

It sucks that Shaq was past his best when he played for the Cavaliers.

[Prime_Shaq]

Well of course, despite his haters and what he has done and how much I dislike his playstyle, he is after all one of the best the game has seen.

[keep-itreal]

that's because Shaq was too old to do anything when he went to the Cavs

[NZStreetBaller]

You dont have to do much when the ball is in lebrons hand 90 percent of the time

[SexSymbol]

it was also the first time that he couldn't do anything on the court too.
If it was a 2000s shaq, it's Lebron who'd be giving these kinds of quotes.
Doesn't take a genius to understand this.

[sportjames23]

that's because Shaq was too old to do anything when he went to the Cavs

You dont have to do much when the ball is in lebrons hand 90 percent of the time

it was also the first time that he couldn't do anything on the court too.
If it was a 2000s shaq, it's Lebron who'd be giving these kinds of quotes.
Doesn't take a genius to understand this.

Hell, the GM and coach didn't have to do anything either and look at the results.

[Im Still Ballin]

It's crazy because now Lebron is above Shaq on the all time list

Man.. Imagine if they were on the same team in both their primes

B-R-U-H.

[ImKobe]

It's crazy because now Lebron is above Shaq on the all time list

Man.. Imagine if they were on the same team in both their primes

B-R-U-H.

Lebron has nothing but regular season MVPs on Shaq lol..

4/5 vs 2/6

peak Shaq never layed an egg in the Finals

have fun trying to make a case for Lebron over Shaq.

[Im Still Ballin]

Lebron has nothing but regular season MVPs on Shaq lol..

4/5 vs 2/6

peak Shaq never layed an egg in the Finals

have fun trying to make a case for Lebron over Shaq.

2006?

The consensus is already in kid

ESPN, Sports Illustrated agree

Lebron is already there

[aj1987]

2006?

The consensus is already in kid

ESPN, Sports Illustrated agree

Lebron is already there

'06 wasn't peak Shaq.

Shaq at worst is top 5 and LeBron at best is top 7. Shaq >> LeBron.

1. MJ
2. KAJ
3. Shaq
4.Magic
5. BR
6. Duncan
7. LeBron
8. Kobe
9. Bird
10. Hakeem

[Prime_Shaq]

It's crazy because now Lebron is above Shaq on the all time list

Man.. Imagine if they were on the same team in both their primes

B-R-U-H.

Not yet

[Disaprine]

is hard to do anything when your stuck in the 3 point line all game.

[riseagainst]

You dont have to do much when the ball is in lebrons hand 90 percent of the time

this. He can't do anything even if he wanted to or was capable of it, because Lebron had the ball all the time.

[Im Still Ballin]

'06 wasn't peak Shaq.

Shaq at worst is top 5 and LeBron at best is top 7. Shaq >> LeBron.

1. MJ
2. KAJ
3. Shaq
4.Magic
5. BR
6. Duncan
7. LeBron
8. Kobe
9. Bird
10. Hakeem

Shaq's too high here

Kobe's within his range of 8-12, but I wouldn't put him above a perennial champion like Bird

Also; this list lost all credibility when you didn't list Wilt in the top 10

Here's a good list

1. MJ
2. KAJ
3. Magic
4. Wilt
5. Russell
6. Duncan
7. Lebron
8. Bird
9. Shaq
10. Kobe

[aj1987]

Shaq's too high here

Kobe's within his range of 8-12, but I wouldn't put him above a perennial champion like Bird

Also; this list lost all credibility when you didn't list Wilt in the top 10

Here's a good list

1. MJ
2. KAJ
3. Magic
4. Wilt
5. Russell
6. Duncan
7. Lebron
8. Bird
9. Shaq
10. Kobe

Shaq at 9 below Wilt, Duncan, Bird and Lebron?