Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are one of the most celebrated duos in NBA history. The two won three championships together and were unstoppable on the court. However, while they could dial in on game day, things outside were very different. There was a lot of tension between the two. It even got to a point where Kobe and the Big Diesel nearly got into a fight.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
So, who was the bad one? Maybe a statement from a former laker would help you figure that out, as Gary Payton recently explained how Shaq would treat rookies on the team.
Shaq is arguably the most dominant force to enter the league. He was fast and athletic for his size and knew how to use it to dominate. While there is no doubt he is one of the greatest players, there have been some questionable remarks on him as a teammate. Especially when it comes to Kobe Bryant. And fans were left in absolute displeasure at hearing how O’Neal treated the rookies on the Lakers.
Was Shaquille O’Neal the bad guy?
The Lakers were on a roll since 2000. The purple and gold were coming fresh off a three-peat. However, as the Lakers kept winning, Shaq also kept growing, which did not sit well with Kobe Bryant.
After their surprise exit in the 2003 playoffs, the Lakers formed a super team for the 2003-04 season, with Payton and Karl Malone. However, they lost in the finals. It was during this time when Gary Payton saw how Shaq treated the rookies.
He said: “Shaq is a jokester. So when of the rookies was being installed, he would take a bucket and use the bathroom in it for about a week. And now all of a sudden he going to pour it on them.”
Yeah I understand why Kobe was fighting Shaq https://t.co/QaboFtDoyI
— Ricky’s Laker Propaganda Network (@MrRickySpanish) February 27, 2022
Goddamn Shaq. He gives sneakers to low income families, but at the same time, he does R. Kelly shit. 🙄😐😑 https://t.co/MNb76pAhjz
— ornatestreetwear (@ornateopulence) February 28, 2022
Hell nah, that’s too far https://t.co/Wimb2NAKEa
— JAY 🦍 (@jaysnsweats) February 27, 2022
Nah he deserved Kobe snitching on him. https://t.co/TS42QW0Lgr
— Juni (@JuJuLockhrt) February 27, 2022
That's not a joke that's a act of war 😐 https://t.co/3xhbl3Lwkn
— IAMDELROY (@GT_ICON) February 27, 2022
That shit not a prank bro 😭 https://t.co/0sFZX8rkLp
— darion (@dstrum21) February 27, 2022
He would’ve never saw them rings with me, kneecaps gone. https://t.co/Bl1CSj31DJ
— AVirgosVision (@avirgosvision) February 28, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This comes off really bad for the Big Diesel. While it is not new to have some fun with the rookies, this may be taking it a bit too further. Unsurprisingly, fans were disgusted with the behavior Shaq showed towards the rookies. While most did blame this to be the reason Kobe didn’t like him, their story was far different. The two never saw eye to eye as one was a workaholic while the other turned to enjoy after getting success.
All this eventually led up to Shaq moving to Miami Heat in 2004. He was still dominant, but his decline was near. O’Neal got the upper hand on Kobe after he landed his fourth championship with Dwyane Wade. However, Kobe did take long to strike back. In 2009 and 2010, Bryant went on to make his championship tally five. In the process, he proved he could win without Shaq and also won in their personal beef.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What do you think about the Shaq story? Let us know in the comments below.
READ MORE: LeBron James Trashed “Selfish” Kobe Bryant During 2008 Olympics