Shaq puts pressure on LeBron James, Sixers: ‘Championship or bust’

Not everyone around the NBA is convinced that LeBron James will turn the Sixers into champions.

But Shaquille O’Neal apparently has considerably higher expectations.

Speaking on ESPN’s SportsCenter, O’Neal said Philadelphia’s new-look roster should be judged by one standard after adding James to a group that already includes Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey.

“Championship or bust,” O’Neal said. “You got the great LeBron. You got great Embiid.”

O’Neal focused much of his attention on Embiid, who not long ago was widely considered one of the NBA’s premier big men.

“It was like three, four years ago Charles (Barkley) and I would always say how he’s the best big man,” O’Neal said. “Joker has surpassed him, will be honest, making a name for himself. My question to Joel: Does he want it back? And if he does, please show me.”

As for James, O’Neal believes the motivation should be fairly obvious.

“I know LeBron wants to get one last one,” he said, adding that Brown is “feeling slighted” and Maxey continues to establish himself.

“Definitely the team to watch,” O’Neal said. “I don’t wanna hear next year. … This team was put together to win a championship now. They have all the pieces they need.”

That’s considerably more optimistic than the assessment Hoops Wire received earlier this month from two rival NBA executives.

One general manager told Hoops Wire that James, who turns 42 during the season, “is not gonna move the needle much.” Another predicted this could be the season when people conclude James “stuck around too long.”

So there you have it. Some around the league are skeptical. Shaq sees no reason for excuses.

Either way, nobody will have to wait much longer to begin finding out.