“I Was Surprised To Hear That Kobe and Shaq..”: NBA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Unearths Bizarre Pranks the Lakers Duo Used to Voice Their Protests

There was one person who got Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal to the Los Angeles Lakers. And it was none other than ‘The Logo’ Jerry West. But he left the team in 2000 for another challenge. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar addressed how Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal did not like that and they protested the decision with bizarre pranks.

West was a legendary player for the Lakers and he later became the general manager for the showtime era Lakers. They won five titles, and they were one of the greatest dynasties in the NBA. But then they went through a slump for a few years.

West then signed Shaq for a huge contract and at the same time he drafted Kobe in 1996 at the same time. And after a few years, the Lakers were back at the top by winning in 2000. But West left after that and Mitchell Kupchak, who was the assistant GM, was appointed as the full-time GM.

And the Lakers superstars, Kobe and Shaq, did not approve of this.

Kobe and Shaq used to throw basketballs at the Los Angeles Lakers GM’s office

The two stars did not like West leaving the franchise. And they did not like Kupchak replacing their beloved Jerry West as the GM. Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who followed the team was shocked to find out what those two stars were doing to protest the move.

READ MORE: ‘Frozen’ Shaquille O’Neal Reacts After Huge Revelation on Phil Jackson Once Telling Jerry West to “Get the F*ck Out”

Kareem reported,” I was surprised to hear that Kobe and Shaq used to hurl basketballs against the window of Mitch’s office as a prank. I certainly understand their motivation: they were Jerry West fans.”

“After all, Jerry had brought them to the Lakers. They needed to express that frustration. But it wasn’t Mitch’s fault. He was doing his job—and doing it very well,” he added.

But Mitch did a great job with the Lakers. He went on to guide the Lakers to two more titles in the next two years. He was with the Lakers for a really long time.

WATCH THIS STORY: Biggest and Mightiest houses owned by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal

Then he led the Lakers to win two more titles in 2009 and 2010. And finally, he was let go in 2017 after a long period of disappointment. But he was essential in building the Lakers dynasty in this century. Even though Kobe and Shaq did not approve of him in the beginning.