NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant are considered one of the best duos ever and it is not without reason. During their time together for the Los Angeles Lakers, Shaq and Kobe helped the team win three straight titles from 2000 to 02. A feat even one of the best dynasties like the Showtime Lakers was not able to achieve. However, the Lakers’ era of Shaq and Kobe came to an abrupt end amidst the beef between the duo and the contract situation of The Big Diesel. The 2000 NBA MVP recently admitted his regret about leaving the Lakers.

Shaq joined the Lakers after a contract dispute with his previous employers, the Orlando Magic. He then signed one of the biggest contracts at the time for Purple & Gold. Nevertheless, history repeated itself a few years later as O’Neal had issues with the Lakers’ management about his contract extension.

Shaquille O’Neal opens up about his regret

Shaquille O’Neal was the most dominant player in the league and was also a huge reason behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ three-peat. Kobe Bryant came close behind him. So, understandably, Shaq wanted the biggest contract on the team. He was very vocal about it too and called out the late owner Dr. Jerry Buss. Furthermore, the feud between O’Neal and Bryant was at its height at the time. Amidst this, the Lakers decided to stick with Kobe and traded Shaq to the Miami Heat.

The four-time NBA champion recently stated that leaving the Lakers was not because of his beef with the Black Mamba. But rather because he wanted a huge deal. He also shared his regret about leaving Bryant and the team. According to a report from Lakers Nation, Shaq said, “I just should’ve been like alright, I raised you enough it’s your team now. I know what I’ma do I’m still gonna do my 28 and 10, but I was like nah, I want $150 [million].”

READ MORE – “We Had a Lot of Disagreements”: Unearthing Rough Patch in Kobe Bryant Relationship, Shaquille O’Neal Confesses He Would Do It All Again

Even though O’Neal was not his MVP self in 2004, he was still very dominant. Also, he may have played a huge role for the Lakers had he stayed.

Fans react to O’Neal’s admission

As Shaquille O’Neal admitted his regret about leaving Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, fans wondered what the team could have achieved had he not left. Here are some reactions:

“If he’d stayed, Lakers would’ve got four more championships. But I was kinda disappointed that he didn’t come back before retiring instead of going to Boston. He still could’ve came back way later and won another one.”

“That probably would have given Kobe his sixth ring!”

“They might have had 7-8 rings. There wouldn’t have been a rebuild process then.”

“They definitely would have added another banner maybe 2. But why should he have had. His play wasn’t getting worse”

“the biggest what if’s of the NBA. We probably had 5 more banners than Boston if that happened.”

“Easy 7 rings if bud would of stayed”

WATCH THIS STORY – “When Kobe Bryant wore special shoes for Shaquille O’Neal and dropped 56 points”

What do you think about Shaquille O’Neal’s statement? Let us know in the comments.