Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant formed one of the deadliest duos that the NBA had ever seen. ‘The Big Diesel’ and ‘The Black Mamba’ paired up and dominated the league with their combined on-court prowess for years. They terrorized opposition defenses on a nightly basis, and several fell victim to their formidable on-court synergy.
Shaq’s brute strength and Kobe’s otherworldly skill set ushered in a triumphant era at a franchise that had mastered stacking championships well before their arrival. They won three straight NBA championships together and delighted spectators with their on-court wizardry.
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Their tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers was fraught with ups and downs. However, resilient relationships are formed through adversity, trials, and tribulations.
They were said to have established a rift, which was cited as the reason Shaq was traded from the Lakers to the Miami Heat. However, staying apart was essential for both of them. As the years passed, the two developed an unbreakable brotherly bond.
The two sat down several times and held public conversations with one another. However, the world went into shock on January 26, 2020, when Kobe and his daughter, Gianna, passed away in a helicopter crash.
Shaq reacts to the passing of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/0XQ7HXeM0O
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 26, 2020
Kobe’s tragic death left a massive void in the NBA as well as in Shaq’s heart. Having experienced a wide range of emotions alongside Kobe, the big man continues to honor his late brother in arms.
Shaquille O’Neal has portraits of Kobe Bryant in his house
Since Shaquille O’Neal called it a day from his decorated NBA career, he has tried his hands in a number of fields and found success in almost all of them.
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Shaq is a successful businessman with a number of profitable ventures. He lives a lavish lifestyle and owns a massive mansion with every amenity imaginable. A part of his house, though, is dedicated to his late friend, Kobe Bryant. Shaq has some beautiful posters of Kobe at his house, as shown in a viral video. This comes as another example of the bond the two legends shared.
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Miss my brother
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) August 21, 2022
Seeing the video, Shaq also decided to send a little message to his dear friend as he tweeted, “Miss my brother”.
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Kobe might not be between us anymore, but Shaq continues to keep the Black Mamba’s legacy alive. And so does the plethora of fellow athletes and fans on whose life Kobe Bryant made an eternal impact.