Shaquille O’Neal Jealous of LeBron James Who Was Bullied for Being No. 1 Player on ’09-’10 Cavaliers Team

We all know how incredibly good LeBron James is as a basketball player. It’s just unfortunate that we won’t be seeing him throw a tomahawk or go for a score in a few years. Needless to say, the 4x NBA champion will leave behind a beautiful legacy that will inspire generations to come.

The 39-year-old has been in the NBA for 21 seasons. Over the years, James has played with several all-timers. He competed with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving, Ray Allen, Kevin Love, Dwight Howard and other elite players. However, his tenure often goes head-to-head with other 4x NBA champions. James played with Shaquille O’Neal in the final season of his first stint in Cleveland.

Shaquille O’Neal believes LeBron James was an incredible leader

The Cleveland Cavaliers were the best team in the NBA during the 2009-10 season. They achieved a 61–21 record in the Eastern Conference, which was the best in the league. This was Shaq’s first and only season with LeBron James. He claims that LeBron was an incredible leader, who made him regret not being part of the all-time elite.

he said “He was actually really good at it. You can’t do that everywhere. He’s Bronn and I know I’m Shaq. I’m Shaq who has ruled many continents and on his way out. So I’m really coming to be his advisor. Never had to say anything, In fact the way he ruled.”

“He was a really great guy, a really great player. If you’re open, he’s going to get it to you. So, when they talk about LeBron being one of the greatest of all time, I agree. But the numbers will always be diagonal. This is a great conversation. I wish I was in that GOAT conversation,” he concluded The Big Podcast.

Shaq mentioned how he teamed up with LeBron James two years before they actually did. The Cavaliers went to the Eastern Conference Semifinals that season but lost to the Boston Celtics in six games. It was Shaq’s last full playoff run as he retired the following season.

LeBron James had privileges enjoyed by no one else in the NBA

Shaquille O’Neal briefly talked about being a leader on every team except when he signed with the Cavaliers. It was the only time he felt the need to step into the back seat of LeBron James. However, O’Neal claimed that James was so great that he received many advantages that no one else in the NBA or more specifically on his team could enjoy.

From today’s NBA playoffs in honor of the Cavaliers and Magic, throwback to LeBron James hitting this game-winning 3-pointer in the 2009 playoffs 🤯pic.twitter.com/Mp2MYvaZP8

— Fanfunded (@fanfundedclub) April 20, 2024

he said “I was kind of jealous of him because he was able to do things that I could never do. The coach would be like, ‘Hey man, we’re practicing at 10.’ LeBron would be like, ‘No, we’re practicing at 12.’ OK, practice at 12. And I was like, God damn it. He brought his family members on the plane. I was like, ‘I’ve been human for a really long time, I’ve never had this much energy.’

Unfortunately, James had everything but a championship during his first stint with the Cavaliers. He left the Cavaliers in 2010 to join the Miami Heat. James won his first two titles in Miami before returning to Cleveland for his third and then, his fourth in LA.