Deandre Ayton Blowing Easy Dunk on LeBron James’ Lob Leaves Shaquille O’Neal Furious

LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers have been playing well, but they still have to find the next gear if they are to compete for a title.

Deandre Ayton Blowing Easy Dunk on LeBron James’ Lob Leaves Shaquille O’Neal Furious

LeBron James, Deandre Ayton, and Shaquille O'Neal (Image via FirstSportz)

Shaquille O’Neal has been longing for the time when his Los Angeles Lakers, led by the oldest player in the league, LeBron James, will win another championship.

The Diesel may have played on quite a few teams, but his loyalty lies with three teams primarily. The Lakers, the Miami Heat, and the Orlando Magic.

That is why, whenever conversations center around these three organizations, he tends to have a biased opinion on how well or poorly they are doing.

At the same time, the four-time champion is also the first to bash them when they are not playing to their potential, like his reactions proved when he watched a certain Lakers’ center play.

The former league MVP shared a clip on his Instagram that shows LeBron James bringing the ball up the court and throwing a lob to Deandre Ayton, who was already well-positioned behind two Cleveland Cavaliers players.

The reason why this video frustrated Shaquille O’Neal is that Ayton mistimed his jump, and instead of throwing the ball down the rim with both his hands, he tried to lay the ball into the net.

O’Neal threw a fit and almost bit into a table towel after watching the Lakers’ center airball the layup. He then clutched his head with his hand, knowing his fellow former No. 1 overall pick just could not take advantage of an easy setup.

The Big Aristotle, like many other former big men, has in the past criticized Deandre Ayton for his lack of aggressiveness while playing the center position. Since it will be at least a week before O’Neal can get back in front of a TV camera, he preferred to express his frustrations on social media.

Rich Paul dismisses rumors of LeBron James’ impending Lakers exit

LeBron James, too, might have been frustrated with that play, as Deandre Ayton missed an easy layup or dunk. But there are inclinations that the 41-year-old has a bigger frustration to deal with in the offseason.

With reports of the Lakers not appreciating him enough, rumors are afloat that there are a couple of teams James could play with if he cannot stay in Los Angeles.

They are naming teams, you got all this speculation… There’s no truth to any of it. I don’t know what’s happening… He don’t know either! We don’t even talk about it… Just enjoy the moment.

Rich Paul said on Game Over Podcast

The super agent continuously denied that his close friend and No. 1 client was going to leave the Los Angeles Lakers. Rather, he wants basketball fans to enjoy LeBron James’ performances for the time being.

LeBron James listed as the 4th-highest-earning athlete of all-time

Wherever LeBron James decides to play next, he will look at the possibility of winning another NBA championship. After all, with almost every other statistic already to his name, the father of three only wants more rings to solidify his GOAT legacy.

LeBron James has earned over $2 billion in revenue
LeBron James has earned over $2 billion in revenue (Image via Hoops Rumors/X)

But even if he wanted to stay with the Lakers, he might have to forego the chance of earning another $50 million contract. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves ahead of him in the pecking order, James will have to settle for less.

However, many doubt a reduced salary would matter to the billionaire, as his investments and endorsements make him more than he has from salary checks.

Earlier, Sportico announced its list of the highest-paid athletes of all time. When fans find out that LeBron James is listed at fourth with an inflation-adjusted income of $2.03 billion to his name, they will not believe his demands for a higher salary.

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