Shaquille O’Neal takes SUBTLE SHOT at Anthony Davis after denying laughing at Lakers star’s head injury

Shaq defends himself from criticism, but also implies that Davis is too soft and injury-prone.

Shaquille O’Neal takes SUBTLE SHOT at Anthony Davis after denying laughing at Lakers star’s head injury

Shaquille O’Neal (L) and Anthony Davis (R)

Shaquille O’Neal has a history of being critical of Anthony Davis, and he did not hold back after the Lakers’ Game 5 loss to the Warriors. Shaq and his fellow TNT analyst Charles Barkley were seen laughing on air when Davis left the game with a head injury in the fourth quarter.

The two Hall of Famers were accused of being insensitive and disrespectful to Davis, who has been dealing with various injuries throughout the season. Shaq defended himself by saying that he and Barkley were not laughing at Davis, but at each other. He said that they were having a friendly banter and that it had nothing to do with Davis’ injury.

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However, he also took a swipe at Davis by suggesting that he was not tough enough to play through pain. Shaq said that he never missed games because of injury when he was a player, even though he suffered many physical problems that still bother him today. “You see why I walk funny?” Shaq said. “Because I sucked it up. You see why my toes don’t bend? Because I sucked it up.”

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This is not the first time that Shaq has questioned Davis’ toughness and durability. Two seasons back, he said that Davis should not be scared of his Achilles injury and that he should play through it. He also said that Davis should be more aggressive and dominant on the court. “He’s too great of a player to be so passive,” Shaq said. “He should be getting 40 every night.”

Also Read: Anthony Davis FIRES WARNING to Nikola Jokic and Nuggets after destroying Warriors

Anthony Davis shrugs off Shaq’s comments, dominates Game 6

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Anthony Davis attacking the rim against the Golden State Warriors (Via Getty Images)

Davis did not let Shaq’s comments get to him, as he bounced back from his head injury and had a huge game in Game 6 against the Warriors. He recorded 17 points, 20 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in 40 minutes of play. He helped the Lakers control the game from start to finish and advance to the Western Conference Finals.

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Davis said that he is focused on winning a championship with the Lakers and not on individual stats or comparisons. “I’m not here to be one of the best players in the league,” Davis said. “I’m here to win championships.”

The Lakers will now match up with the top-seeded Denver Nuggets in a series of seven for the Western Conference Finals. The series tips off in Denver on Tuesday, May 16, at 5:30 p.m.

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