NBA: Lakers Icon Confident About Reason Why Kawhi Leonard Chose Clippers Over Lakers

One of the most legendary players the Los Angeles Lakers ever had is confident about his thoughts regarding the reason why NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard chose the Clippers over the Lakers.

During a guest appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," NBA Legend and Lakers icon Shaquille O'Neal discussed several things about the NBA, specifically the Lakers and the Clippers. O'Neal first revealed which of the two LA teams he prefers, and to no surprise, the three-time NBA Finals MVP said Lakers.

"I gotta go with the Lakers, I'm Lakers, Purple and Gold till I die," O'Neal said.

When host Jimmy Kimmel asked if O'Neal was just being biased since he was a former Laker, O'Neal responded right away and said that he's going with the Lakers no matter what. "Even when the Lakers have a bad team like it did last year, I'm still with the Lakers," O'Neal insisted.

Whenever the NBA topic is LA, it's hard not to mention Leonard's name. This is why Kimmel took the opportunity to ask the Lakers legend what could be the reason why Leonard chose the Clippers and not the Lakers.

"Because Jerry West is a master, Jerry West knows how to read people and he probably had a conversation with [Leonard]," O'Neal stated.

O'Neal's response was based on his own experience back in the day when the Lakers offered him a deal. West was the boss of the Lakers franchise during the time O'Neal was offered to play for the team. And according to him, West also talked him out of signing with the Lakers.

O'Neal was also asked a hypothetical question of which team he would opt for if he were still playing these days. Surprisingly, the dominant big man chose neither of the two LA teams.

"I would go on a team that needs a superstar and I'll teach them guys how to beat the superstars," O'Neal stated.

O'Neal has had the best seasons of his stellar career with the Lakers where he played side by side with another Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant for nine seasons. During his stint with the team, O'Neal earned three NBA titles to go along with three NBA Finals MVP honors.

He parted ways with the Lakers in 2005 after consistent misunderstandings plagued the team since their devastating loss to Detroit Pistons during the NBA Finals of 2004.

Even now that O'Neal is officially retired, he is still arguably the most dominant center in NBA history.