Shaquille O’Neal in Tears at NBA All-Star Game: “My Main Man Kobe Bryant Couldn’t Be There. A Lot of People Pushed Me, but Those Three..”

Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant weren’t the best of friends during their stint as teammates at the Lakers. However, they were incredible together on the court and helped the Lakers win a historic three-peat during the early 2000s. However, their relationship deteriorated, and the two were engaged in a feud.

Although, since Shaq’s retirement from the game in 2011, the two have reconciled and became close friends. Both O’Neal and Kobe made it to the NBA’s list of 75 greatest players on the 75th anniversary of the league. However, we lost Kobe two years ago in a tragic accident and Shaq missed his presence during the 75-anniversary tribute.

Shaq joined a host of former and current NBA greats such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, LeBron James, among others on Sunday’s All-Star game. However, Shaq got emotional on TNT during the All-Star game and said that his father, his sister, and Kobe’s absence in the ceremony saddened him.

Shaq saddened by the absence of his father, his sister, and Kobe Bryant on Sunday’s All-Star

Former NBA star O’Neal gave an emotional four-minute speech during the All-Star on TNT. He talked about the hardships he faced and the people who helped him in his basketball career.

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“What really saddened me about today is that my father couldn’t be there, my sister couldn’t be there, and my main man, Kobe Bryant, couldn’t be there,” Shaq said.

“A lot of people helped me get here. But those three. Dad pushing me, my little sister covering for me and Kobe going back and forth. It’s a great moment for me. It’s a great honor.”

We lost Kobe two years ago but NBA honored him by renaming the All-Star MVP to the All-Star game Kobe Bryant MVP award. Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry won the Kobe Bryant MVP award on Sunday after scoring 50 points for Team LeBron in a 163-160 win at the All-star game.

Shaq’s emotional tribute quickly went viral on social media, where he thanked everyone for supporting him. He was drafted 1st overall during the 1992 draft and went on to win four NBA championships. Apart from that, he played alongside some of the best players in the NBA history and retired as an NBA legend.

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