Shaquille O'Neal backs LeBron James's move to the Philadelphia 76ers
On the July 27 episode of SiriusXM’s The Stephen A. Smith Show, former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal defended LeBron James after the latter announced his decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers, rejecting criticism that labels James a “ring chaser.”
Shaq likened James’s situation to his own late‑career stint with the Boston Celtics, noting that he signed a veteran‑minimum contract to play with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and that he still had “two, three more years left” and wanted another championship. He recalled winning three straight titles with Boston and one with Miami, and pointed out that his Celtics season was his 19th and final NBA year, in which he appeared in 37 regular‑season games and two playoff games.
Entities: Boston Celtics · LeBron James · Philadelphia 76ers · Shaquille O'Neal · Stephen A. Smith
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Shaquille O'Neal said LeBron James likely has two to three years left in his career. (all three articles)
- [DISPUTED] Shaquille O'Neal played one season with the Boston Celtics, his 19th and final NBA year, appearing in 37 regular‑season games and two playoff games. (all three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] LeBron James decided to join the Philadelphia 76ers. (all three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The interview took place on the July 27 episode of SiriusXM’s The Stephen A. Smith Show. (all three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Shaquille O'Neal compared LeBron's move to his own late‑career signing with the Boston Celtics. (all three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Shaquille O'Neal defended LeBron James against critics calling him a “ring chaser”. (all three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Critics called LeBron James a “ring chaser” after his move to the 76ers. (all three articles)
- [DISPUTED] Shaquille O'Neal won three consecutive NBA championships with the Boston Celtics and one with the Miami Heat. (all three articles)