Shaquille O'Neal reveals envy over not achieving LeBron James' father-son NBA feat with Bronny
LeBron James and Bronny James have made history as the first father-son duo to share an NBA court, which has left Shaquille O'Neal feeling a bit jealous. During this week's episode of The Big Podcast, O'Neal was asked what he thought of LeBron and Bronny being the first father-son duo in the league.
As Shaquille O'Neal explained, he's happy for Bronny, going so far as to call him a nephew. However, as a competitor, the four-time NBA champ wishes he and Shareef could have been the first father-son duo in the league.
Shareef O'Neal's NCAA career began in 2018 at USC, with the second-generation hooper then eventually going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft before signing with the G League Ignite.
"I strive off professional jealousy. I'm jealous a little bit. My son was in that position. Life is all about titles. I would have loved to have that title first. So now that we got that out of the way, I'm happy for Bron.
"He was always at the crib playing with my boys. He's like a nephew to me. I'm happy for him, but, you know, on a professional jealousy side I wish that was me and Shareef or, you know, me and Shaqir. But I'm happy for Bronny, and I'm happy for LeBron, and I wish him well."
Even if Shareef O'Neal had been a one-and-done player in the NCAA, Shaquille O'Neal would have needed to stick around for eight more years rather than retiring in 2011.
"Continue to have fun and play" - Shaquille O'Neal offers words of advice to Bronny James ahead of 2024-25 season
Since being drafted, Bronny James has been put under the spotlight. While the expectation is that he will develop behind the scenes before becoming a true rotational player, the minutes he's played in the Summer League and the preseason so far have been heavily scrutinized.
While Bronny's freshman year averages at USC didn't jump off the page, his athleticism and shooting impressed during the NBA Draft Combine. Given that, and the fact that he's LeBron James' son, Bronny has been one of the biggest stories around the league heading into this season.
As Shaquille O'Neal explained, if Bronny continues to work hard and have fun, things will work out. (Start at 23:33)
“He’s going through a lot, he just needs to continue to have fun and play, and things will work out.”
In Bronny's most recent preseason game, he began to find his rhythm, shooting 2-4 from the floor while hauling down two offensive rebounds and posting a +17 +/- on the night as Dalton Knecht led the team to a fourth-quarter comeback and overtime win.
As LA prepares for the second leg of a back-to-back tonight against the Golden State Warriors, expect Bronny and Knecht to both play some big minutes as coach JJ Redick rests the team's stars for the Lakers' regular season opener on Oct. 22.