The Los Angeles Lakers have had a long line of superstars suit up for them, but Shaquille O’Neal was one of a handful who shone the brightest. With a personality just as big as his 7’1″ frame, O’Neal was tailor-made for the glitz and glamor of Hollywood.
Now, O’Neal is speaking up in an effort to see the Lakers, who have fallen on hard times recently, return to their rightful place atop the NBA. With beaming legendary point guard Magic Johnson now at the helm of the franchises’ basketball operations department, O’Neal told Chris McGee of Spectrum Sports Net that he hopes that a superstar teammate of his will become an advisor:
“I would like to see Kobe in an advisory role, I really would. Magic is Magic. He’s a great guy, but it’s a different world we live in. I would like to see Kobe get some type of managerial position. I know he would do a good job, because he’s one of those guys that focuses a lot. Too much, sometimes. But I know he can help get it done, help bring the city closer, and talk to some guys to tell them how it’s going to be. Because we’ve always had one or two big-name players. We don’t have that right now.”
While O’Neal and Bryant had their differences during their playing days, he does have a point about Bryant’s laser-focused approach to life. Johnson brings the extroverted personality that the Lakers front office lacked under Mitch Kupchak, but Bryant’s more introverted, calculating mindset could be an asset as well.
For his part, Bryant has stated that he is “always just a phone call away” for the Lakers if they need his help, but that he isn’t interested in getting involved in the day-to-day running of the club.