Gutted Over Cleveland’s Heartbreak, 46YO Legend Pushes Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal To Explain Deep Regrets

There are two breakups in history that we will never get over. No, we’re not talking Brangelina. The recent one is the LeBron James-Kyrie Irving split and the old one is Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant’s infamous breakup. One of Shaq and Kobe’s old teammates is still feeling the prick from the end of these championship-winning partnerships. And he took the opportunity to express his regret over it on a public platform.

Someone who donned the iconic purple and gold uniform with Big Diesel and Black Mamba at the same time has been raving about that partnership. And he understands how fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers felt when LeBron and Kyrie parted ways.

Tyronn Lue Misses the Shaq-Kobe Combination

Before he became a coach for the Los Angeles Clippers, Tyronn Lue was a Los Angeles Lakers player. At that time, he shared the stage with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. Lue knows firsthand about everything that went down between the duo during the Lakers dynasty’s prime.

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Lue recently appeared on Showtime Basketball’s All The Smoke to dish on everything from his playing career to active players. In the same show, he named O’Neal and Bryant as the greatest duo of all time in his books.

While Shaq and Kobe were a formidable force on the same team, there was also some bad blood between them. Their highly publicized clashes were the subject of media attention at that time. After winning three consecutive titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002, the feud was at its peak.

O’Neal demanded a trade and signed with the Miami Heat. Bryant stayed with the Lakers. Thus this partnership ended and the Lakers struggled to fill the void left by Big Diesel.

This wound would reopen when LeBron James and Kyrie Irving parted ways. The duo led the Cavaliers to four straight NBA finals and won the franchise’s first title in history. And then Irving requested a trade in 2017. Kyrie would later express his regret and said he and James would have won more titles together.

Touching upon that sore subject for the Cavaliers, Lue expressed his desire for closure on Shaq and Kobe’s feud. “Those are two things I wish would have never happened,” he said about the split of these duos. “There was a lot more juice to squeeze.”

Bryant passed away in a helicopter crash with his daughter, Gianna, in 2020. Following that tragedy, O’Neal expressed his regret for not making amends before his former teammate’s passing.

Tyronn Lue Recalls Shaq’s Generosity

Lue’s respect for his former teammates knew no bounds. He especially held Shaquille O’Neal in high regard for his invaluable help.

When Lue started out in the NBA, success wasn’t immediate. He was struggling through financial difficulties off the court and grinding on the court. During that time, O’Neal supported and guided him.

He credited Shaq for keeping him from going astray in the glamor of Los Angeles. In his most vulnerable days, the senior player provided that mentorship. Given his strong feelings for his former teammates, it’s no wonder Lue is not over Shaq and Kobe’s breakup.

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With Kyrie resigning for the Dallas Mavericks in the off-season, do you think we’ll ever get to see the iconic James-Irving duo back on the court together?