Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant are arguably the Greatest duo in NBA history. They played together for eight seasons and led the Lakers to a three-peat from 2000 to 2002. However, it was not always smooth sailing between the two superstars. Despite their on-court success as a duo, Shaq and Kobe frequently butted heads and did not share a friendship off the court.

As it turns out, it was all a motivation tactic by Shaq. The 4-time Champion spilled the beans to Trae Young about getting under Kobe’s skin for mentoring purposes.

Shaq’s true motive behind agitating Kobe Bryant

Shaquille O’Neal was a guest on the From The Point Podcast hosted by Hawks superstar Trae Young. During the episode, Shaq revealed his true motive behind irritating Kobe Bryant during their Lakers era. “I egged him on to the point he was so pissed off at me. But it worked out in everybody’s favor.” The Hall of Famer said. According to Shaq, he tried to get under Kobe’s skin to keep him hungry and motivated to get better. He called Kobe a “Pitbull” and claimed that being nice would not have worked with him. Shaq knew it ate Kobe up when Diesel called the Lakers his team. Shaq’s trash-talk motivated Kobe to develop that killer mentality.

The Hall of Famer also reminded the world that Kobe was not what he became as soon as he entered the league. Kobe got drafted into the NBA when he was only 18 years old. And he had to be molded to become a superstar. So, Shaq gave Kobe the rookie treatment the first two years and asked him to carry his bags to drive him crazy.

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It all turned out well for Kobe and Shaq

Even though Shaq’s tactics were harsh, they produced results. Kobe became one of the Greatest players to ever suit up for the Lakers. Shaq and Kobe made the playoffs every year they played together and went to 4 NBA Finals. The duo won three Championships together and gave the NBA World their most recent three-peat. After losing in the 2004 NBA Finals, the Lakers decided to build around Kobe Bryant. They traded Shaq to Miami after the end of the season, putting an end to the Shaq-Kobe era.

Many still wonder how many Championships they would have won if they settled their dispute and played together for longer. Their dominance is something no duo has been able to replicate since. Shaq and Kobe settled their beef and buried the hatchet during a one-on-one interview in 2018. So, it all turned out well for the legendary Lakers duo.

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