D’Angelo Russell quotes Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal after cruising past New Orlean Pelicans

D'Angelo Russell helped the Lakers to a win against the New Orleans Pelicans with another brilliant performance.

D’Angelo Russell quotes Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal after cruising past New Orlean Pelicans

D’Angelo Russell (via X/LA Lakers)

In a thrilling turnaround, D’Angelo Russell and the Los Angeles Lakers refused to let their previous defeat dampen their spirits. Despite not being favored to win, they stormed back with a vengeance. Their electrifying performance at the Crypto.com Arena saw them clinch a spectacular 139-122 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

After overcoming an ankle injury that kept him sidelined during the Nuggets game, Russell made a triumphant return to the court against the Pelicans, providing the Lakers with the much-needed scoring boost they were seeking. The 6’3” point guard once again displayed his brilliance by tallying an impressive 30 points, emerging as the top scorer for the Lakers in the game.

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In the post-game interview, he fielded a question about his thoughts when faced with the stifling defense of the Pelicans. In response, he cleverly echoed a famous Shaquille O’Neal quote.

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Shaq say, 'Barbecue chicken,' something like that. Easy for sure.

Shaq’s iconic catchphrase, “barbecue chicken alert,” is commonly linked to his commentary on centers asserting their dominance in the paint. Interestingly, during his time as a player, Shaq dropped a hint about the significance of “barbecue chicken.”

Following his remarkable performance in a 2009 game with the Suns against the Raptors, Shaquille O’Neal shed light on the meaning behind his iconic phrase. He said, 

I think I’m the only player who looks at each and every center in the league and says, ‘That’s barbecue chicken down there.'

From this statement and the consistent context in which Shaq has utilized the phrase, it’s evident that “barbecue chicken alert” symbolizes an effortless opportunity, comparing the opposing center to a meal ready to be cooked, roasted, and devoured throughout the game. It seems that D’Angelo Russell channeled his inner Shaq when facing the Pelicans’ defense, adopting a similar mindset to the legendary center.

D’Angelo Rusell shines as the Lakers recover to take down the New Orleans Pelicans

Following a challenging defeat to the Nuggets just the previous night, the Lakers made a remarkable comeback by securing a 139-122 triumph over the Pelicans on Friday evening. The Lakers showcased their dominance with an impressive 87-point performance in the first half, particularly notable with 51 points scored in the 2nd quarter alone. Additionally, all five starters contributed 20 points or more in a game that outshone the Pelicans, a team that had previously clinched four consecutive victories and displayed commendable performance on the court lately.

D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves
LA Lakers D’Angelo Russell (Left) and Austin Reaves (Right) (via NBA)

Russell, who was absent from Thursday’s matchup against Denver, asserted his presence in this game by netting a team-leading 30 points on nine of 19 field goals, with six of 13 coming from beyond the arc. During the explosive second quarter, Russell contributed 16 points, including 14 consecutive points for his team, by sinking four three-pointers, thus tilting the game’s momentum in favor of the Lakers. Adding to the scoring effort, Austin Reaves contributed 27 points on 10-15 shooting, including three for four from long range. LeBron James and Anthony Davis also made significant contributions with 21 and 20 points respectively.

Zion Williamson led the charge for the Pelicans with an impressive 30 points, yet all five of their starters managed to reach double figures, with Brandon Ingram contributing 22 points and CJ McCollum adding 19 to the scoreboard. Despite their collective effort, the Pelicans fell short in keeping pace with the Lakers during their explosive stretches, particularly as the Lakers found their rhythm from beyond the arc. The Lakers’ upcoming fixture sees them hosting the resurgent Detroit Pistons at home.

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