Shaquille O’Neal voiced his support for the Lakers’ decision to hang the NBA In-Season Tournament (IST) banner, despite the controversy surrounding it. The Lakers, following their NBA Cup victory, chose to celebrate LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the addition of the IST banner, a move that stirred criticism from fans, NBA analysts, and former players.
In a recent episode of “The Big Podcast With Shaq,” the four-time NBA champion addressed the backlash, emphasizing that he saw no issue with the Lakers’ choice. O’Neal pointed out a notable distinction between the IST banners, which are black and gold, and the traditional championship banners, distinguished by their yellow and purple hues. He referred to the IST banner as an “accoladed flag,” highlighting a significant loophole in the comparison.
Shaq : The Colorful Loophole Explained
“There was a loophole there…What colors are the banners? It’s not really a banner, it’s just a flag, what I call an accoladed flag,” remarked Shaq during the podcast. He acknowledged the legitimacy of the IST championship but emphasized the visual distinction in colors. “It is a championship, but the loophole is, like I said, it’s an accoladed flag. If they would’ve had yellow, I would have been upset. It’s an accoladed flag, so I don’t mind,” he added.
Shaq explains why Lakers' IST banner is an 'accoladed flag' 👀 pic.twitter.com/pCle2tUmeJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 22, 2023
The Lakers faced considerable criticism for their decision to raise the IST championship banner, with rumors circulating that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver may have urged the team to take this action. The debate over the distinction between IST banners and traditional championship banners continues, fueled by Shaquille O’Neal’s perspective on the matter.
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In the ongoing discourse, the Lakers’ move to honor their IST triumph remains a point of contention, emphasizing the nuances between accolades and traditional championships in the world of professional basketball.