Shaquille O’Neal says Anthony Davis ‘fell off’, needs to find ‘another level’ for Lakers to make playoffs

The pressure is on Anthony Davis to leave LeBron James indefinitely, and Shaquille O’Neal is outspoken when it comes to the Lakers’ big man.

O’Neal broke the light-hearted mood of “Inside the NBA” to deliver an impassioned plea to Davis on Tuesday night, imploring the eight-time All-Star to play like he did during the Lakers’ 2020 championship run.

“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but it fell off,” O’Neal said.

O’Neal said the media “heralded him as the next big player in the NBA” three years ago. “He fell down. He’s not. He can come back to it,” the Hall of Famer added.

MORE: LeBron James out indefinitely with foot injury gives Anthony Davis chance to salvage Lakers playoff hopes

“When you’re a champion and a Laker, they expect you to play at a certain level,” O’Neal said before covering Los Angeles’ game against the Grizzlies.

O’Neal expressed confidence that Davis can get back in shape.

“AD must be the guy. We know he can do it,” he said, adding that the Lakers need to let Davis touch the ball every time they walk down the court.

Although it’s been a difficult year all round for the Lakers, one could argue that Davis has made a step forward after two uncharacteristic seasons. He’s averaged 25.7 points and 12.4 rebounds per game and two blocks per game this season.

MORE: The impact of LeBron James’ injury: How it’s affecting Lakers, Western Conference standings and the play-in picture

That said, the Lakers’ record with him (18-20) isn’t much better than their record without him (11-13), which O’Neal may be leaning on.

The Lakers started 12th in the Western Conference but just three games behind the five-seeded Clippers in a crowded playoff race.

Every remaining game is vital for the Lakers and Davis is the heart of the team until James returns from a foot injury that reportedly kept him out for several weeks. The Lakers got off to a rough start Tuesday night, losing 121-109 in Memphis. However, Davis recorded 28 points and 19 rebounds in the loss.

O’Neal briefly left serious mode to say he would wear Dillon Brooks’ open vest on their final TNT broadcast of the season should the Lakers miss the playoffs.

It’s no wonder why he wants Davis to step down the track. For everyone else’s sake, O’Neal might want to size up the vest a few sizes.