Devean George discusses the challenges of playing alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant for the Lakers.
On the podcast ‘Forgotten Seasons,’ Devean George shared insights into the challenges of playing alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. George highlighted the difficulty of finding a rhythm and making the most of limited opportunities on a star-studded team.
“It’s hard because we may get four attempts. That’s hard, you gotta make two or three of them attempts. You’re not getting no rhythm.”
“I may get a shot first quarter, none second quarter. I may get two shots third quarter, and maybe another two, four. You gotta make them count. So it’s hard.”
It’s easy to say, okay, if I get 10, 12 shots to get my rhythm, if I’m going 2 for 12, then that’s something different. But we were going 1 for 4, 0 for 3. Like, that’s tough to get them when you get them to make them count. And people only see the box scores.”
George’s reflections offer a glimpse into the unique pressures faced by role players on teams dominated by superstars. With O’Neal and Bryant commanding much of the offensive load, other players had to make the most of limited scoring opportunities. This often meant facing long stretches without a shot attempt, making it challenging to find consistency and rhythm.
Despite these challenges, George made valuable contributions to the Lakers, averaging 6.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists over his seven seasons with the team. He played a crucial role in the Lakers’ three-peat, winning championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
Interestingly, in the past, Tyronn Lue, who was also part of the Lakers squad, narrated a shocking story about Shaquille O’Neal allegedly bullying Devean George, claiming that “he sh*ts in his shoe.” However, George has refuted these claims, asserting that Shaq never did anything of the sort.
His experiences underscore the demanding nature of playing alongside legends like Shaq and Kobe, where the spotlight and scoring chances are sparse, and every opportunity must be maximized. George’s insights shed light on the behind-the-scenes realities of maintaining performance and contributing to a championship-winning team, even when playing in the shadows of all-time greats.
