Kobe Bryant once SLAMMED Shaquille O’Neal for costing him titles by being overweight, 3-time Finals MVP responded with vicious ‘selfish’ jibe 

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal's Lakers era, marked by championship triumphs and turbulent tensions, eventually led to a parting of ways.

Kobe Bryant once SLAMMED Shaquille O’Neal for costing him titles by being overweight, 3-time Finals MVP responded with vicious ‘selfish’ jibe 

Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant (Credits: NBC News)

Over the course of their eight seasons alongside the Los Angeles Lakers, the dynamic between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal was a rollercoaster. They had outstanding achievements during this time, winning three straight NBA titles from 1999 to 2002. But eventually, things got so bad in their relationship that there was no turning back, and they had to split up.

They didn’t work together for very long, though, as O’Neal joined the Miami Heat and added another championship (2006) following the 2004 Finals defeat to the Detroit Pistons. Throughout their eight-year relationship (1996-2004), Bryant and O’Neal struggled with their differences. O’Neal wished Bryant would play more selfless basketball, but Bryant thought the big man ought to have improved his skills.

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Kobe Bryant was quick to emphasise that there was “there is no beef” between him and Shaquille O’Neal despite their on-court clashes and off-court disputes. Their complex relationship was characterised by fierce competition and opposing self-importance. Nevertheless, they appreciated one another’s skills on the basketball floor.

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During an interview with Valuetainment founder Patrick Bet-David in 2019, via New York Post, Bryant stated, “I wish he was in the gym. I would’ve had f***ing 12 rings,” Bryant said. “My God, yeah. Wouldn’t even be close, “He’d be the greatest of all time. He’d be the first to tell you that, for sure. This guy was a force like I had never seen. It was crazy. Generally, guys of that size are a little timid and they don’t want to be tall, they don’t want to be big. Man, this dude, he did not care. He was mean, he was nasty, he was competitive, he was vindictive.”

The partnership between Bryant and O’Neal was a story of two powerful forces working together to attain greatness. Together, they helped the Lakers build a championship dynasty, with both players making substantial contributions to the team’s triumph. Together with Shaq’s dominant presence in the paint, Kobe’s scoring skills and unwavering work ethic made them a deadly team.

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The growing divide: Tensions emerge Between Kobe and Shaq

But as time went on, tensions between the two stars started to show. Their relationship suffered harm because of their different game strategies and internal conflicts. The Lakers’ locker room dispute became the centre of increased media attention rather than their accomplishments on the court.

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Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal (ABC News)

Shaquille O’Neal ultimately parted ways with the Lakers management, who ultimately chose to centre the squad around Kobe Bryant. While this deal marked the end of an era, it also provided both players the opportunities to excel on their own. After joining the Miami Heat, Shaquille O’Neal’s career was rejuvenated and he showed that he was still capable of controlling the game and taking home championships. Kobe Bryant, on the other side, embraced the Lakers’ leadership position and led the group to greater success.

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