Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant — the last duo to achieve a 3-peat in the NBA. And it seems there’s something about the combination of these two names that still guarantees success. Yes, Shaq still has the name of his former teammate associated with himself, but in a different field altogether. The revelation came during Big Diesel’s recent 1-on-1 interview with KCBD.

Following his DJing stint at Raider Alley in Lubbock, Shaq spoke in a 1-on-1 interview with the network. The 4x NBA champ seemed extraordinarily happy as not only did he do what he loves the most after basketball — DJing — but also because of the success of his Big Chicken store in Lubbock. Shaq also introduced the man behind the success of this store, coincidentally named Kobe.

“This is the Shaq and Kobe takeover Big Chicken…. I’m Shaq, and this is Kobe. And we dominate Lubbock, number one restaurant here,” the 4x NBA champ said, introducing his main man for his Chicken Store. “You talk about Big Chicken. This guy (Kobe) right here is doing most of the work,” he added. Notably, Shaq launched the Big Chicken franchise back in 2018. However, there are other names as well backing it up.

This includes Las Vegas-based ownership group JRS Hospitality and the brand development, marketing and entertainment company Authentic Brands Group. The speciality of the store, you ask? The official website claims that the chicken used for the store is humanly raised without any added hormones, artificial preservatives, or cages, for that matter.

During the same KCBD interview, the 15x All-Star stated he came up with the idea for the star along with his brothers and mother. However, he credited people like Kobe for making the concept and dream come true to its best.

“I think we’re at 70 going on 250. He (Kobe) has the number one store here in Lubbock… if you’re in Lubbock, do check out my main man, Kobe… You know, Shaq and Kobe, all we do is win championships…” he said, referencing his on-court success with the Black Mamba.

When you think of iconic duos in NBA history, Shaq and Kobe stand tall. They weren’t just two star players thrown together, but a force of nature. Together, they turned the Lakers into the defining team of the early 2000s, winning three consecutive championships and leaving a lasting mark on the league. But the question is, just how good were they as a duo?

How good were Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant together — the best season that the duo had?

The 2000-01 season was the peak of Shaq and Kobe’s partnership. Just look at their regular-season numbers — Kobe averaged 28.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Meanwhile, Big Diesel posted 28.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. These aren’t just impressive stats—they represent dominance. Not only both players earned All-Star selections but made it to the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams (with Shaq taking the first-team honors).

That season, the Lakers finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference. But what followed in the playoffs was legendary. Lakers tore through the competition with a nearly flawless 15-1 record, registering one of the greatest playoff runs in NBA history. The only team that stands better in this statistic is 2016-17 Golden State Warriors (16-1).

It’s important to highlight that the teams Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe faced weren’t pushovers. All the opponents they swept aside were top 10 in net rating. During the playoffs, Kobe averaged 29.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, while Shaq remained a beast, averaging 30.4 points and a staggering 15.4 rebounds. The fact the duo stands as the last one to register a 3-peat in the league speaks volumes about their legacy.

Stay tuned for more updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.