via Getty
Lakers Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant celebrate after defeating the 76ers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Philadelphia Wednesday June 13, 2001. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
via Getty
Lakers Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant celebrate after defeating the 76ers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Philadelphia Wednesday June 13, 2001. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Speaking of the most iconic duos in the history of the league, one cannot leave Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal off the list. The two superstars played together for eight seasons together for the LA Lakers.
During those eight years, they gave fans numerous highlights. Furthermore, their partnership resulted in NBA titles for the team as well. In the early 2000s, Shaq and Kobe won three consecutive NBA Championships together.
If it weren’t for their egos clashing, the dynamic duo had the potential to win a few more rings together. Fast forward to the 2020-21 NBA season, the era of fantastic duos is back. Among those talented duos, Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are making a name for themselves.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Although they are yet to win an NBA Championship together, the future is bright for them.
Charles Barkley compares Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal’s duo to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid
via Getty
Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O’Neal, left, shares a laugh with Kobe Bryant on the bench during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim Thursday, October 23, 2003. (Photo by Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Despite being a great duo, there is no way that one might compare Simmons and Embiid to the iconic Kobe-Shaq duo. However, according to NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, the duo are somewhat like Kobe and Shaq. Chuck said:
“They are not Shaq and Kobe but they are Shaq and Kobe-like. They are going to be a serious problem for anybody. … When I said Shaq and Kobe-like, I meant those guys are going to be a problem every single night.”
Shaq just sipping his drink when Barkley said Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are “Shaq and Kobe like.” 😂
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 26, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Following these bold comments by Chuck, Shaq just smiled and continued to his drink. While he didn’t say anything, but it was quite evident Shaq was amused by this idea. Honestly, the Diesel’s reaction to Chuck’s comments was completely justified.
Kobe Bryant and Shaq were on a different level during their primes. They locked down the league for multiple years and were the team to beat during that time span. On the other hand, Embiid and Simmons are good but not on the level of two Hall of Famers by any means.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ALSO READ | How Many Rings Did Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant Win in NBA?
What are your thoughts on these comments by Charles Barkley? Do you believe the Simmons-Embiid duo will reach the same height as Kobe and Shaq? Let us know your views in the comments section below.
