Lakers Legend Shaquille O’Neal Includes Kobe Bryant in His Mount Rushmore of Former Teammates

Throughout his illustrious career, Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal has played for six teams and won four rings. He had also teamed up with some of the best players to have ever played in the league.

During a recent podcast with Russell Wilson, Shaq was asked to name his “Mount Rushmore of Former Teammates.” Going by position, he chose Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and Robert Horry to complete the lineup with him.

Has the Lakers legend played alongside better players?

There were a few comments that pointed out that Shaq has played with better players. And they’re not wrong. He has played with one of the best players of all-time, four-time MVP, LeBron James. But when Shaq teamed up with Bron, he was clearly past his best. So that team-up was unsuccessful.

After he left the Heat, Shaq was traded to the Suns where he played with two-time MVP, Steve Nash. One of the best point guards of all-time, Nash was in his prime but couldn’t carry 36-year-old Shaq to a title.

Shaq has also teamed up with two of the best power forwards the league has ever seen. He played one season with Kevin Garnett at Boston and during his final season at the Lakers, he was joined by Karl Malone. Both pairings failed to win a title and thus could not create an impact.

The players Shaq chose are the ones he has had success with. While he has won at least one ring with Wade, Bryant, and Horry, Shaq could never get a ring with Hardaway during their Magic days. They were one of the most exciting duos to watch back in the 90s. Despite becoming teammates again in 2006 when Hardaway joined the Heat, they still weren’t able to win a ring together.  

Out of all these players he has played with, his partnership with Kobe is undoubtedly the best. They were extremely dominant and won a three-peat together in Los Angeles. The Lakers were the team to beat with these two have MVP caliber campaigns every season. They will be remembered as one of the best duos in NBA history.