Basketball

“Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant Aren’t Going to be the Only Show”: Baron Davis Always Went All Out on the Challenge of Facing Lakers Duo

Nithin Joseph
|PublishedDec 20, 2022

“Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant Aren’t Going to be the Only Show”: Baron Davis Always Went All Out on the Challenge of Facing Lakers Duo

Credits: Twitter

The LA Lakers are perhaps the most recognizable franchise in NBA history. The team was home to many a legend, including the likes of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

Being the historic team that it is, anyone would have loved to play for the Lakers. However, there were those who enjoyed playing against them as well.

Take, for example, Baron Davis. The 6’3″ guard loved playing against the Lakers. Why? Because of all the media attention and because he got to face Shaq and Kobe.

Also Read: “I Learned Not to Mess With Shaquille O’Neal!”: When Former Lakers Rookie Was Taught a ‘Smelly’ Lesson by 7ft 1″ Diesel

Baron Davis enjoyed playing against Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant

The prospect of facing Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal would scare anyone. Especially considering just how dominant the Lakers of the 2000s were.

However, not everyone was afraid of the duo. In fact, Baron Davis always looked forward to facing Diesel, the Black Mamba, and the LA Lakers. Simply because he would get some publicity on TV and he wanted the world to know that Shaq and Kobe weren’t the only show.

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“One cause…alright the Lakers are coming to town that means it’s probably on Channel 9. That’s the one time everybody in LA get to see me go. So…Channel 9…okay we locked in. Then you got Kobe and Shaq. So it’s like Kobe and Shaq they are not gonna be the only show! I am going for broke! I’m trying to dunk on somebody! Coach already know…everybody on the team know! When we playing the Lakers imma get up about 17-20 shots. Other than that I’ll pass every other game. But, Lakers come, I’m getting my shots up!”

Davis’ reasons for facing the Lakers are somewhat bizarre, to say the least. Although, when facing the LA tandem bizarre might have been the best bet.

The Shaq and Kobe-led Lakers ruled over the NBA for quite a while

The Lakers of the 2000s were a force to be reckoned with. Not only were they tough opponents, but they also had one of the greatest duos in NBA history with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The duo spent eight seasons together, capturing three championships for the purple and gold in that time.

They brought the “showtime” back to the Lakers. Facing them was most likely a dream as well as a nightmare at the same time.

Also Read: “It Was Too Much Money After Kobe Bryant & You Got Together”: When Gilbert Arenas And Chris Paul Talked About Lakers’ Voided Trade in 2011

About the author

Nithin Joseph

Nithin is a content writer at The SportsRush. Like his favorite athlete Kobe Bryant, the company has helped Nithin elevate his writing skills to a whole new level, especially as an NBA content writer. With over 1500 articles to his name, Nithin's love for the sport knows no bounds. And, as he continues to watch the sport on a daily basis, he hopes his fascination with the NBA, especially the Miami Heat will inspire more and more readers to give the sport a chance. Perhaps, one day making basketball in India as big as it is in the United States.