Shaquille O’Neal has played with many superstars during his time in the NBA – from Penny Hardaway to LeBron James, he’s covered them all. Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson are some of the biggest names he came against, but the best name he ever played with was Kobe Bryant.
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Kobe joined the team after Shaq did, as a young rookie from Philly. It was an immediate impact he made, not just on the team, but on the fans too. Kobe and Shaq formed a formidable duo, and they were the most successful duo for a good 6-7 seasons. It was an eternal rivalry that pushed them to be the best versions of themselves.
While they stayed at loggerheads with each other, they played off each other quite well on the floor. 3 championships, and 4 finals appearances later, a move away changed the dynamic forever. Like the quintessential anime where best friends separate only to face off at a later time, Kobe and Shaq became rivals in different jerseys.
But it all changed when they retired because tempers died down as they got older. The hot-headedness died down, and they became friends. Not the “friends” they once were, Kobe was the cool uncle to Big Diesel’s kids.
Shaquille O’Neal was asked who he would play his last ever game with – he did not even hesitate to choose a name
After playing all those years together, there was no other option Shaq would want to have behind him for his hypothetical “last game ever”. Even though KB24 is no more, he’d pick him in a heartbeat. Shaq and Kobe, the dynamic duo struck fear into many people’s hearts, mainly because of their visceral chemistry.
Even asking him that question seems asinine – everyone knows the Shaq Attack would pick the Mamba. There is no one else who would even lace up next to him, mainly because he didn’t spend enough time with them. Plus, the regret of not being nice to his teammate could potentially change.
Kobe Bryant left a lasting impact on the Most Dominant center of all time
If Kobe went on to play for the Charlotte Hornets as his draft day cap suggested, we may not have seen Shaq at his marauding best. Sure he was good in Orlando, but the LA lights were starting to make his head look big. And it was since he was reveling in his glory as being a strong center who could not be moved.
But there was complacency that crept in on the daily. Even though he did not work out as much as Kobe did, he still put in some semblance of an effort to make sure he stayed in Basketball shape. All through his time in LA, he gained weight every year, but it was almost purely muscle. He still could gallop like a gazelle down the stretch.
If Kobe Bryant did not join LA, we could have very well seen Shaq turn into A Charles Barkley who loved to eat even more. He would have let go much sooner, and we’d have not seen the best of him. The last game of Kobe and Shaq playing together would be oh-so great, but it is only a dream.
