Shaquille O’Neal has seen it all during his Hall of Fame career, but even he was left in awe when he saw just how much control LeBron James had in Cleveland. On the latest episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, where Dwight Howard joined as a guest, O’Neal shared a vivid memory from his brief time playing alongside LeBron during the 2009-10 season with the Cavaliers.
“I was super impressed with LeBron when I got to Cleveland. LeBron had that s**t under control. When I got there, as young as he is, this motherf***er was a true leader and he was such a leader he was doing s**t I never did. Like he got to bring his family on the plane. I was like, ‘Damn…”
Hearing this, Dwight Howard quickly chimed in, laughing, “Only Bron can do that though.”
Shaq, still chuckling but clearly amazed, responded, “I know but chill out like damn.”
O’Neal’s comments speak volumes about how unique LeBron’s leadership and influence were even at a young age. By the time Shaq arrived in Cleveland, LeBron was only 24 years old but already operated like a seasoned veteran with the full blessing of the organization to do things most players, even superstars, could never dream of.
Allowing family to regularly travel on team planes is extremely rare in the NBA, typically reserved for iconic players with unquestioned stature within a franchise. Even Shaq, who dominated the league for a decade, never received that level of privilege during his time with the Lakers, Heat, or Magic.
What makes this even more striking is Shaq’s own history as a locker room alpha and culture-setter.
For him to admit he was blown away by LeBron’s standing within the Cavaliers shows just how massive James’ impact already was behind the scenes. It was not just about putting up MVP numbers; it was about being the heartbeat of an entire organization at an age when most stars are still finding their footing.
The dynamic between Dwight Howard and LeBron adds another interesting wrinkle to the conversation. Howard himself has a complicated history with James, including the time he admitted he called LeBron a “b***h” during a defensive disagreement when they were teammates on the Lakers, a moment Dwight believes ultimately led to him being pushed out of Los Angeles.
Even while laughing about LeBron’s influence, Howard seemed to acknowledge that no player, no matter how big their resume, messes with the established gravitational pull LeBron commands.
Shaq’s anecdote also fits neatly with a larger theme that has followed LeBron throughout his career: the concept of “LeGM,” the idea that James not only leads on the court but often behind the scenes, shaping rosters, culture, and even travel protocols in ways most players cannot.
Ultimately, Shaq’s story is not just a funny memory. It’s a window into how LeBron James changed the template for NBA superstardom, blending youthful energy with mature leadership in a way few have ever managed.
If Shaquille O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion and larger-than-life figure himself, can be impressed, that says everything you need to know about the power LeBron has wielded for nearly two decades.
