“Kobe RATTED me out, that’s why I’m gettin’ divorced” – Shaquille O’Neal once blamed Kobe Bryant for ending his marriage to ex Shaunie

Shaq once dissed Kobe in a rap and said Kobe was a reason for his divorce.

“Kobe RATTED me out, that’s why I’m gettin’ divorced” – Shaquille O’Neal once blamed Kobe Bryant for ending his marriage to ex Shaunie

(L) Kobe Bryant and (R) Shaquille O'Neal (Via Lakers/X)

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal have had quite a historic beef with public disputes throughout. Shaq had infamously feuded with Bryant over who was the “alpha” of the team, along with Bryant’s constant distaste for Shaq’s disregard towards fitness and commitment to the game. Shaq famously loved to party and spend his off-seasons focusing on other hobbies besides basketball. The duo was undeniably great winning three championships back to back a feat only accomplished by the Chicago Bulls before them, and a feat that hasn’t been replicated since.

An iconic part of their beef was when Shaq spit a few bars in a freestyle rap in 2008, taking direct shots at Bryant. He alleged that Bryant was the reason behind his divorce from his ex, Shaunie. While defending himself against a 2004 rape charge, Bryant alleged that Shaq had paid up to $1 million to various women in order to keep them quiet about his own affairs. “This whole situation is ridiculous,” Shaq told ESPN at the time.

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Shaq dissed Bryant in the rap for his loss to the Boston Celtics in the 2008 finals. “Last week Kobe, couldn’t do without me,”  After the rap the next day Shaq told ESPN “It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever. I’m totally cool with Kobe. No issue at all. Please tell everybody don’t make something out of nothing.”

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Shaq and Shaunie called it quits in November 2009. They had four kids together during their decade-long marriage. She commented on the reasons behind their divorce during an episode of “Basketball Wives” Our Blackberries got switched,” she said of a time she went to an event at their kids’ school, “and I was like, ‘Damn, my phone is going off a lot.’ Just girl, after girl, after girl—like, ‘Baby, last night what you did.'”

The duo’s feud reached a boiling point after their loss to an underdog Detroit Pistons squad. The franchise had to choose between the two superstars and decided to go with Bryant, sending Shaq to the Miami Heat. Shaq said it was due to the fact that the franchise prioritized keeping the younger Bryant and asking the big man to take a pay cut.

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What caused the feud between Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant?

Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant with their rings
Kobe and Shaq (Getty)

It is very well known that Shaq and Bryant did not get along during their stint together as a part of the Los Angeles Lakers, eventually leading to Shaq being traded away. This is despite the fact that the duo was proven to be highly effective together, winning three championships back to back. There are various factors behind this. It dates back to when the two initially joined the team, with Shaq coming in from Orlando and Bryant being drafted.

In 1998, Shaq was apparently jealous of Bryant’s jersey sales and accused him of being a ball-hog. Shaq mocked Kobe’s turnovers and blunders during the All-Star game introductions but claimed it was an inside joke between the two.

They managed to win the first of their three championships together in 2000. Their beef truly began during the 2000-2001 season when Bryant openly feuded with Shaq for coming into training camp completely out of shape. Bryant requested for the ball to be played more through his hands, and Shaq fought with management over this matter. Head coach Phil Jackson brushed it aside.

The two still managed to win the next two rings together, and Bryant faced rape accusations heading into the 2004 season. Bryant was upset at O’Neal for not attempting to reach out during his legal troubles, stating that Shaq was “supposed to be my friend.” The team ultimately lost the 2004 finals, resulting in their feud reaching a boiling point. Phil Jackson was removed from his position, and new management said they would consider trading Shaq immediately, resulting in Shaq wanting out of the squad. He was traded to the Miami Heat and Bryant signed a long-term contract with the Lakers.

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