Shaq, Dwyane Wade criticize Lakers' effort: 'It looks like they’re quitting'

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Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade took issue with the Los Angeles Lakers’ play as of late ahead of the team’s latest loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

O’Neal and his former Miami Heat teammate questioned the Lakers’ lack of effort at halftime of Los Angeles’ game against the Mavericks on "Inside the NBA."

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Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green, left, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves grapple for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

"You gotta at least put more effort into it. I don’t mind losing, but when you don’t have a lot of effort, it shows that – and I hate to use this word – it looks like they’re quitting," O’Neal said. "I hate to use the word. 

"… I don’t see a lot of effort out of this team. They still can do something. I’m not talking about winning a championship, but if I was them, the first goal would be, ‘Let’s get out of this (9th) spot.’ And let’s just start coming together, let’s start playing together. We know if we play together, we show effort, and play hard, we can compete with whoever No. 1 or whoever No. 2 is."

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James wipes his face with his jersey during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Wade, a former teammate of James and close friend of the NBA superstar, said he hated when coaches used the word "front-runners," which to him meant when things are good everyone on the team is all in, but when