“The Cracks Were Starting to Show”: While NBA Fans Celebrated Shaq and Kobe’s Three-Peat, Lakers Legend Admits He Had a Reason to Hold Back his Celebrations

The Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O’Neal feud was no secret. They knew it, the franchise knew it and the whole sports community knew about it. Regardless of their differences, the duo were able to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive championships from 2000-2002. While they had managed to put their differences aside on the court, the tension was still pretty much visible between the two NBA legends. And it did not go unnoticed by their head coach Phil Jackson.

Jackson tried working with both the players to help them work together on the court. While it worked for a little while, their relationship would again go back to being bitter. Their continuous scuffles eventually led to Lakers trading Shaq to the Miami Heat.

READ MORE -?Wife Vanessa Joyfully Unveils A Kobe Bryant-Themed Court With The Help Of Michael Jordan?s Former Teammate

Former Los Angeles Lakers legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar penned down his thoughts on the Lakers’ three-peat and the bitter relationship of the team’s star players, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Furthermore, he stated the reason why he was reluctant on celebrating his former team’s historic win.

Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar gives his thoughts on the Kobe-Shaq feud

In his online blog, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar reminded that in the history of the league, a three-peat has happened only five times. Therefore, winning three consecutive championships was of course worth celebrating. He applauded Kobe and Shaq’s on-court coordination during the three seasons which ultimately led the Lakers to the trophy.

Witnessing the back-to-back success of the team, it was probably obvious that fans would think the feud was finally over and that Lakers would yet again emerge victorious the next season as well. But apparently, Abdul-Jabbar knew that it was only a matter of time before the differences between Kobe and Shaq would be visible once again.

“For three seasons, Kobe and Shaq were in sync and able to propel the team to greatness. It must have felt to Lakers fans like this dynasty would last forever?or at least as long as the Celtics?,” wrote Abdul-Jabbar in his blog.

“But the cracks were starting to show,” he added.

Furthermore, he added that as much as he wanted to celebrate the Lakers’ success, he also sympathized with the Brooklyn Nets coach Byron Scott. Scott is the former Lakers teammate and close friend of Abdul-Jabbar. The duo had played together for seven seasons and had won three championships together. Abdul-Jabbar claimed that Scott wanted the Nets to win as their coach. However, he might have had to battle his mixed emotions for going against the team he once played for.

Watch This Story:?Shaquille O?Neal or Kareem Abdul Jabbar: Who Made More 3 Pointers Among the Lakers Legends?

Do you agree with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s reason regarding Shaq and Kobe’s beef? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!