“Just Know That I’m Sorry for All of That”: Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant Was Once Compelled to Publicly Apologize to Shaquille O’Neal for Suggesting He “Paid Off Women”

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were unstoppable forces during their time together. The formidable tandem tormented opposing defenses nightly and propelled the Los Angeles Lakers to unprecedented heights. A three-peat from 1999 to 2002 highlighted why the franchise’s acquisition of the two titans in 1996 was worthwhile.

Their on-court relationship was synergistic, with one constantly opening the game up for the other. Their off-court relationship during those days, though, is widely documented. The reported feud between the two, which eventually led to Shaq’s departure from the Lakers in 2004, is quite infamous.

Even after Shaq departed LA, the rift between the two was thought to be growing. Bryant encountered legal troubles during the 2003-04 season. It was reported at the time that he made a comment about Shaq paying off multiple women to remain silent. Naturally, the big man did not take Kobe’s comments too well, escalating their feud.

However, shortly after, Kobe Bryant issued a public apology to Shaquille O’Neal for the incident.

?I can only do what I feel is right. I feel it is right to go up and apologize to the man for bringing him into my situation. I never intended that to happen. Things were way overblown and misstated,” Bryant said.

“I will pick up the phone and call him. If he takes the call, great, if he doesn’t, just know that I’m sorry for all of that,” Kobe concluded.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal soon put their feud behind them

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal didn’t get along for quite some time. The tandem, however, eventually formed an amicable friendship.

READ MORE: ?They Look Like Kobes?: NBA Twitter Erupts in Hype as LeBron James Drops a Sneak Peek at His Latest Nike Shoes

Shaq departed the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. After a few years, the two found success without one another. Shaq won an NBA title with the Miami Heat in 2006. While Kobe captured back-to-back NBA titles with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010. Fair to say that some time apart from one another aided them to establish a stronger connection.

The two became teammates once again during the 2008-09 NBA All-Star game. Both put on a show and were eventually named co-MVPs. Kobe even handed his MVP trophy to Shaq so that he could give it to his son, Shareef.

Shaq claimed in 2009 that he has always loved Kobe and that the media was responsible for escalating their feud. Bryant and O’Neal buried the hatchet wholeheartedly and apologized to one another in TNT’s Player’s Only chat in 2019.

Shaq was devastated when Bryant tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2020. He expressed his grief as he said that he lost a “little brother”. Shaq even spoke at Kobe’s memorial service, saying “Mamba, you were taken away from us way too soon. Your next chapter of life is just beginning. It?s time for us to continue your legacy.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Shaquille ONeal Won 3 Finals MVPs in His NBA Career: Top 5 Players With most NBA Finals MVPs

The pair was able to build an unshakable relationship despite their differences in the past. While Kobe is no longer with us, his legacy and relationship with O’Neal live on.