Shaquille O'Neal Supports LeBron James Statue at Crypto.com Arena

As discussions about honoring LeBron James with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena intensify, former Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal has expressed his support for the idea. O'Neal highlighted James' status as the NBA's all-time leading scorer and his 2020 championship win with the Lakers as key factors justifying a statue. He stated that he wouldn't oppose the decision, acknowledging the high expectations of Lakers fans while defending the legitimacy of James' bubble championship by comparing it to Tim Duncan's title during a lockout season. O'Neal's comments come as fans and analysts debate the merits of James' contributions to the franchise over his seven seasons with the team. Several Lakers legends already have statues, including Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, further adding to the conversation about James' legacy. With James still performing at a high level, the Lakers face a significant decision regarding this honor in the near future.