The Los Angeles Lakers’ elimination in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs sparked strong reactions, with one of the most outspoken coming from basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal.
The former player did not hold back in criticizing the lack of results from a team led by LeBron James and Luka Doncic, despite the individual brilliance of both stars.
Shaquille O’Neal Doesn’t Hold Back on the Lakers
During a broadcast of NBA on TNT, the former Lakers star delivered a sharp critique of the team’s structure and its key figures—who form the core of a project aimed at winning multiple championships and replicating the dominance of past dynasties.
“They have two of the best lead players in the league, but let’s be real—they’re not good enough,” O’Neal said.
“It’s unfortunate, and it’s going to stay that way for a while. They won’t make any moves this summer. You’ve got to pay two guys $50 million or more, so get used to this. When you have players of that caliber, it’s championship or bust.”
Lakers Fans Left Disappointed
Heading into the postseason, fans and several analysts were confident: the Lakers were heavy favorites to advance comfortably past the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Finishing third in the Western Conference only strengthened that belief, especially with Los Angeles opening the series at home.
But reality quickly set in. The Timberwolves stole home-court advantage in Game 1 and immediately put the Lakers on their heels.
The series ended 4-1 in Minnesota’s favor, exposing structural flaws in the Los Angeles roster.
Limited Depth and Questionable Decisions
In the game that sealed their elimination, the Lakers found themselves relying on Maxi Kleber—a player who hadn’t seen action since January 25.
This highlighted the team’s lack of depth, which became more apparent as the rotation was stretched during critical moments.
Shaq’s remarks echoed concerns shared by many fans: the team’s future appears stagnant under a payroll that, while talented, has failed to solidify itself as a legitimate title contender.
As for individual accolades, both LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal boast four NBA championships.
James earned his titles with the Miami Heat (2), Cleveland Cavaliers (1), and the Lakers (1), while O’Neal won three with the Lakers and one with the Heat.
