The duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal might have the most complicated relationship in league history. While on the court, they were unstoppable beasts too difficult for opponents to contain. Their combined abilities guided by Phil Jackson’s coaching led them to three consecutive championships.
Advertisement
But off the court, they were completely different. Not only they absolutely hated each other’s guts but the two also butted heads over Kobe’s style of play. For Shaq, Kobe Bryant was too selfish. For Bryant, Shaq was a lazy athlete hell-bent on wasting his talents.
In fact, both players had a lot to say to the media about each other. Bryant, especially, became increasingly hostile towards his teammate while in press conferences or interviews. He even lashed out at Shaquille O’Neal for missing games because of an injury.
Kobe Bryant attacked Shaquille O’Neal over his toe injury
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal’s feud became the major storyline of the early 2000s and dominated the NBA community. Eventually, it also led to the breakup of an exceptional dynasty. But before that, both players attacked each other often in the media.
In his book, Three-Ring Circus, Jeff Pearlman detailed one such instance where Kobe discussed Shaq’s toe injury. Kobe claimed that O’Neal’s injury wasn’t a big deal. He criticized the Lakers legend for missing 15 games due to it. Kobe Bryant also compared it to his own performance and how he played through pain and injuries.
Bryant: “I don’t need Shaq’s advice on how to play hurt. I’ve played with IVs before . . . with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a fractured tooth, a severed lip and a knee the size of a softball. I didn’t miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn’t that serious.”
Bryant blamed Shaq for his desire to leave the Lakers
In an interview with ESPN’s Jim Gray, Kobe went after Shaq mercilessly. He attacked Big Diesel for his selfishness and childlike possessiveness about the team.
Bryant alleged that his desire to leave the team was influenced by Shaq. He told Gray:
“I won’t make that decision until the end of the season. I told Shaq last year that I was planning on opting out. He knew before anyone. I told him out of respect for what we have been through together. I thought he should be the first to know. The fact that he acts like this is such a big shock is a mystery to me. If leaving the Lakers at the end of the season is what I decide, a major reason for that will be Shaq’s childlike selfishness and jealousy.”
Fortunately, Bryant decided to stay with the Hollywood team. Unfortunately, Shaq and Phil Jackson were both kicked out. Maybe if the two had been more mature in their dealings, they could have won a lot more championships together.
