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Lakers Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal sit on the bench with foul trouble against the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center Monday. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal sit on the bench with foul trouble against the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center Monday. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers team of the 2000s was more than legendary. Players like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal made them unplayable at times and their trophy cabinet reflects just that.
Led by Bryant and Shaq, the Lakers won a three-peat. However, the relationship between two of their biggest stars was very problematic.
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Kobe and Shaq’s beef was getting more than evident with each passing day and it finally ended when O’Neal left LA for the Miami Heat. Talking about how their relationship affected the entire team, Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar divulged details about the two.
Kareem said, “Shaq wanted Kobe to pass more and Kobe didn’t care what Shaq thought. When your two most dominant players don’t get along, the team becomes dysfunctional. No one is happy, there’s no team stability, every game feels like a separate battleground rather than part of a flowing season.“
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Kareem Abdul Jabbar (L) and Kobe Bryant (R)
Despite all their differences, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are still regarded as one of the greatest duos ever. Shaq and Kobe’s brilliant time in the Los Angeles Lakers ended when the team traded Shaq to the Miami Heat.
How good were Shaq and Kobe for the Los Angeles Lakers?
Troubled relationships did not hold back Shaq and Kobe. The two were still the best duo in the league and the numbers speak for themselves.
Playing with Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal averaged 26.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 461 games. On the other hand, Kobe Bryant averaged 21.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in the same number of games.
Thanks to their phenomenal play on the court, they led the Lakers to three NBA titles. O’Neal won the Finals MVP award in all of the Finals. After getting traded to the Miami Heat, O’Neal won his fourth and final NBA title playing alongside a young Dwyane Wade.
Kobe, on the other hand, faced a difficult time in his career after the departure of Shaq. However, Pau Gasol’s arrival worked wonders as the Spaniard helped the NBA legend win his fourth and fifth NBA titles.
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What is your favorite memory of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal? Let us know in the comments down below.
