Shaquille O’Neal and Phil Jackson Once Pointed Fingers at Kobe Bryant’s “Machiavellian Dealings” in 2004: “You understand the game and understand the politics”

In 2004, the NBA lost what could have been one of the greatest dynasties of all time in the Los Angeles Lakers. The team that then featured Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal was facing some major issues. Issues so big, that even the cool and collected mind of the Zen Master, Phil Jackson couldn’t handle it. In fact, as revealed in a 2004 article by Sports Illustrated, it was the Black Mamba’s “Machiavellian Dealings” that led to the downfall of the potential dynasty. Something that both Shaq and Jackson strongly blamed Kobe for.

The condition in LA wasn’t exactly optimal. The clash of egos in the locker room between Kobe and Shaq was more than enough to spell the end. Both men were fighting to be the leader of the team. So, when the time finally came to make a decision, the franchise seemed to be more and more in favor of Bryant. And, this did not bode well for the other parties involved.

Kobe Bryant was accused as the cause of the downfall of the Lakers by both Phil Jackson and Shaquille O’Neal

It’s fairly common knowledge that the problems of the 2004 LA Lakers stemmed from two people. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal had irreconcilable differences that affected the chemistry of the team. And, once you add Phil Jackson into the mix, it did not make for a pretty sight.

Following their NBA Finals loss to the Detroit Pistons, things were up in the air for LA. Should they continue with who was an aging, yet still dominant force in Shaq? Or should they look to the future with Kobe? It was a head-scratcher for the organization. But, ultimately, Bryant held all the cards.

The Black Mamba wanted to lead the franchise, and in his vision, both O’Neal and head coach Phil Jackson was out of the picture. So, while he did deny it at first, Kobe went to work, with what can only be described as a devious plan. He used his close relationship with then-Lakers owner, the late Dr. Jerry Buss to further his own agenda. A tactic that has been described as “Machiavellian”, and one that both Shaq and Phil did not appreciate.

“Jackson had conceded, publicly at times and much more strongly in private, that his relationship with Bryant was troubled. ‘They wanted to make some moves to accommodate signing Kobe,’ he said last week. ‘We knew they probably wouldn’t work if I was coaching the team.’ Shaq, who has always slyly gotten his point across about Bryant without blasting him directly, said last week, ‘If you look at all the pieces of the puzzle that are thrown out there and you understand the game and understand the politics, you can put it all together and draw your own conclusions.'”

A few months later, the Lakers fired Jackson and traded O’Neal to Miami. Bryant’s plan had worked, albeit at the cost of what could have been a dynasty that could have rivaled the likes of the Celtics in the 60s and the Bulls in the 90s.

Kobe’s plans failed leading to the Lakers being stuck in mediocrity for years

Months after the end of the potential dynasty, Kobe began lying about the role he played in the downfall. When pressed about urging Buss to get rid of Shaq and Jackson, Bryant vehemently denied having any involvement. He even denied lobbying for the hiring of legendary college coach, Mike Krzyzewski. The accusations wounded him deeply, he claimed.

However, this all unraveled soon after, as Coach K rejected a five-year $40 million offer from the Lakers, and the Black Mamba finally admitted to his wrongdoings. What followed was years of mediocrity.

It would take six years for the Lakers to finally get back on track. And while the three men involved were able to patch things up later on in life, there can be no denying it was an ugly saga.