Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal Is 'Professionally Jealous' Of LeBron James For This Reason!

Home / Sports / Shaquille O'Neal Is 'Professionally Jealous' Of LeBron James For This Reason!

By Melanie VanDerveer on October 19, 2024 at 4:15 PM EDT
Updated on October 19, 2024 at 4:18 PM EDT

While it appears that NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has everything he's ever wanted in life, he recently revealed this one thing that he's "professionally jealous" of LeBron James for having.

During his recent podcast episode, O'Neal revealed the one thing he wishes he could have done professionally that LeBron has achieved, but he also explained how happy he is for him.

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Shaquille O'Neal Opens Up About What He's 'Jealous' Of

Shaquille O'Neal
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During the most recent episode of "The Big Podcast with Shaquille O'Neal," the big guy was asked about his thoughts on LeBron playing in the league with his son, Bronny.

"I strive off professional jealousy. I'm jealous a little bit," he revealed. "My son was in that position. Life is all about titles. I would have loved to have that title first."

After explaining his "jealous" side, O'Neal then said he was happy for the father and son duo playing together on the LA Lakers.

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"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," he said. "I'm happy for him, but you know, on a professional jealousy side, I wish that was me and Shareef or me and Shaqir, but I'm happy for Bronny and I'm happy for LeBron and I wish them well."

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Shaquille O'Neal's Sons Play Basketball

Shaquille O'Neal
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O'Neal's sons, Shareef, 24, and Shaqir, 21, both play basketball like their famous pop.

Shareef played for NBA's G-League Ignite from 2022 to 2023, and before that, played for UCLA from 2018 to 2020 and LSU from 2020 to 2022. During his college basketball career, he struggled with multiple injuries and health issues, including needing open heart surgery to treat a congenital heart defect.

Shaqir currently plays for the Florida A&M Rattlers, and before that, played at Texas Southern.

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Advice For LeBron And Bronny James

Talking about LeBron and Bronny playing together, O'Neal said "it's gonna be about the antics afterwards," emphasizing the fact that the two need to have fun on the court together.

When asked if he would have come up with a special celebration for him and his son playing on the court together, O'Neal also said the "celebration afterwards is gonna have to be the key."

Many fans dropped into the comments of the podcast's Instagram post to share their thoughts on LeBron and Bronny playing together and the "jealousy" O'Neal is feeling. Some focused on the "celebration" on the court.

"Facts the celebration will be what history will remember," one person wrote in the comments. Another joked, "Catch lob then forehead kiss is iconic."

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LeBron And Bronny James Made NBA History

Bronny James
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In early October when the NBA preseason began, LeBron and Bronny made history as the first father-son duo to play in the league at the same time. For LeBron, 39, it was an emotional moment he's been waiting a long time to happen.

"For a father, it means everything," LeBron told ESPN after the first game the father and son played together. "For someone who didn't have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids and have influence on your son, be able to have moments with your son, and ultimately to be able to work with your son, I think that's one of the greatest things that a father can ever hope for or wish for."

LeBron revealed that he knew coach JJ Redick would put Bronny into the game at some point.

"The moment when we came out of the timeout and he was picking up full court and I went up - because my guy was taking the ball out. We stood next to each other and I kind of looked at him, and it was just like, 'Is this 'The Matrix' or something?'" the proud father said.

"It just didn't feel real."

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LeBron James Shared The Exciting Experience On Instagram

After the emotional and memorable experience of playing with his 20-year-old son Bronny, the proud father took to Instagram to commemorate the day. He shared a carousel of photos from the game, as well as one photo that many took special note of - a now and then courtside moment from Bronny's childhood.

"This is the biggest flex of all time!" one fan wrote in the comments. Another added, "That last picture. Whew! We thank God for the manifestation of dreams come true!"

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