Shaquille O’Neal is one of the best players who has ever put on a Los Angeles Lakers uniform. He was one of the key forces during their 3-peat in the early 2000s and won the Finals MVP award during all three of those championship runs. Needless to say, Shaquille O’Neal is clearly one of the greatest Los Angeles Lakers of all time.
Lakers’ president Jeanie Buss has recently compiled a list that detailed her 5 most important Lakers of all time. The list wasn’t just limited to players, but it was still surprising to see Shaquille O’Neal left off the list. Shaquille O’Neal reacted to the list and said that he was good with her selections, but if he was 29, he may have asked how LeBron James was put before him. Jeanie Buss responded on Twitter and jokingly suggested that if O’Neal had hit more free throws he’d be on the list. She also added that O’Neal would be top 5 if the list was composed of only players.
Well maybe if you made more of your free throws….just kidding 😉Big Diesel @shaq if the list was only players, of course you’re top 5! You know I ❤️ you and your family!! Please don’t kick me off the board of The Shaquille O’Neal Foudation!!☹️ https://t.co/rKzYOji42G pic.twitter.com/CIOg3IKOAx
— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) May 5, 2021
Jeanie Buss and Shaquille O’Neal share a personal connection, and it is clear that she didn’t mean to disrespect anybody with her list. The Los Angeles Lakers are a storied franchise, and there are plenty of legends to pick from in terms of being important to the franchise. Jerry West and Elgin Baylor were both left off of Jeanie Buss’ list, and it’s not like they weren’t important to the Lakers. Everyone’s list of “important Lakers” will vary, but what cannot be denied is the fact that Shaquille O’Neal has a compelling case to be in that conversation.
