Inside Kobe and Shaq's relationship: One of the NBA's most iconic dynasties and fiercest rivalries

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Inside Kobe and Shaq's relationship: One of the NBA's most iconic dynasties and fiercest rivalries
shaquille o'neal kobe bryant

Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

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Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were teammates for eight years and developed an iconic partnership and a famous rivalry.

  • Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal played on the Lakers for eight years together and won three consecutive NBA championships between 2000 and 2003.
  • They had a complicated relationship and were known to be both one of the NBA's biggest partnerships and most vicious rivalries.
  • Over the years, the relationship between the two basketball greats had improved significantly.
  • Following the news of Bryant and his daughter Gianna's death, O'Neal said it was like losing a brother and that he hadn't "felt pain that sharp in a while.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
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Basketball legend Kobe Bryant, 41, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday.

Basketball legend Kobe Bryant, 41, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday.

His former Lakers teammate Shaquille O'Neal said he hadn't "felt pain that sharp in a while" and that he had initially been in disbelief when his nephew had told him about reports of Bryant's death.

His former Lakers teammate Shaquille O'Neal said he hadn't "felt pain that sharp in a while" and that he had initially been in disbelief when his nephew had told him about reports of Bryant's death.

Source: Business Insider, TNT

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Bryant was in a helicopter with his daughter, Gianna, 13, and seven other people when it crashed into a hillside killing everyone on board.

Bryant was in a helicopter with his daughter, Gianna, 13, and seven other people when it crashed into a hillside killing everyone on board.

Source: Business Insider

Bryant had an illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers spanning 20 years.

Bryant had an illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers spanning 20 years.

Source: Business Insider

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Reminiscing about his relationship with Bryant, an emotional O'Neal said, "All the stuff that was documented between us was never a dislike ... It's what brothers do ... I love Kobe Bryant."

Reminiscing about his relationship with Bryant, an emotional O'Neal said, "All the stuff that was documented between us was never a dislike ... It's what brothers do ... I love Kobe Bryant."

Source: The Big Podcast with Shaq

O'Neal and Bryant were Lakers teammates for eight years between 1996 and 2004, where they played center and shooting guard, respectively.

O'Neal and Bryant were Lakers teammates for eight years between 1996 and 2004, where they played center and shooting guard, respectively.

Source: Business Insider

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Bryant and O'Neal brought the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 through 2002.

Bryant and O'Neal brought the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 through 2002.

Source: Los Angeles Times

Bryant and O'Neal are considered to be one of the most iconic partnerships in NBA history. They worked together to combine physical dominance and skill to become a formidable force on the court.

Bryant and O'Neal are considered to be one of the most iconic partnerships in NBA history. They worked together to combine physical dominance and skill to become a formidable force on the court.

Source: Washington Post

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The duo won the Lakers their first NBA championship in twelve years in 2000.

The duo won the Lakers their first NBA championship in twelve years in 2000.

Source: LA Times

Talking about the final game of the 2000 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Times described O'Neal as the "biggest star" and Bryant as "the shiniest." In a game 6, 116-111 victory over the Indiana Pacers, Bryant and O'Neal scored a total of 67 points.

Talking about the final game of the 2000 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Times described O'Neal as the "biggest star" and Bryant as "the shiniest." In a game 6, 116-111 victory over the Indiana Pacers, Bryant and O'Neal scored a total of 67 points.

Source: Los Angeles Times

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Jerry Buss, the late owner of the Lakers, said at the time, "I've never seen anybody dominate like that, ever … [O'Neal] played probably the best basketball any player has ever played."

Jerry Buss, the late owner of the Lakers, said at the time, "I've never seen anybody dominate like that, ever … [O'Neal] played probably the best basketball any player has ever played."

Source: Los Angeles Times

They followed up that performance in the following year's final when Bryant and O'Neal were, once again, the top scorers against the Philadelphia 76ers, bringing home the championship trophy.

They followed up that performance in the following year's final when Bryant and O'Neal were, once again, the top scorers against the Philadelphia 76ers, bringing home the championship trophy.

Source: The News Journal

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The Lakers and coach Phil Jackson visited the White House in 2002 to meet then-president George W. Bush and celebrate their two championship victories.

The Lakers and coach Phil Jackson visited the White House in 2002 to meet then-president George W. Bush and celebrate their two championship victories.

Source: The Desert Sun

The Lakers clinched their third NBA title in 2002 against the New Jersey Nets with O'Neal, once again, taking home the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

The Lakers clinched their third NBA title in 2002 against the New Jersey Nets with O'Neal, once again, taking home the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Source: Star Tribune

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Bryant and O'Neal had a famously sour relationship when they were teammates, frequently taking shots at each other during interviews and, sometimes, through rap songs.

Bryant and O'Neal had a famously sour relationship when they were teammates, frequently taking shots at each other during interviews and, sometimes, through rap songs.

Source: Business Insider

Bryant was a fresh high school graduate when he joined the Lakers. O'Neal, who was six years older than Bryant, had played for the Orlando Magic for four years before joining the Lakers.

Bryant was a fresh high school graduate when he joined the Lakers. O'Neal, who was six years older than Bryant, had played for the Orlando Magic for four years before joining the Lakers.

Source: Star Tribune

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Coach Jackson said that when Bryant joined the Lakers, O'Neal was interested in adopting an older brother-type role with the younger player. But Bryant wasn't interested.

Coach Jackson said that when Bryant joined the Lakers, O'Neal was interested in adopting an older brother-type role with the younger player. But Bryant wasn't interested.

Source: Star Tribune

Bryant and O'Neal had their first fight during a pickup game at Southwest College during the lockout of the 1998-1999 season. After indulging in some trash talk, O'Neal, according to Bryant, said "take that little b----" several times.

Bryant and O'Neal had their first fight during a pickup game at Southwest College during the lockout of the 1998-1999 season. After indulging in some trash talk, O'Neal, according to Bryant, said "take that little b----" several times.

Source: TNT

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In 2001, after there was a change in the team's offensive focus that favored Bryant, O'Neal expressed his dismay, implying that Bryant had a hand in changing the strategy for "selfish reasons."

In 2001, after there was a change in the team's offensive focus that favored Bryant, O'Neal expressed his dismay, implying that Bryant had a hand in changing the strategy for "selfish reasons."

Source: SFGate

The teammates often spoke candidly about each other to the media. O'Neal is quoted in 2002 as having said, "Kobe's the best player in this league. The scary thing about that is, he doesn't think he's the best and wants to get better."

The teammates often spoke candidly about each other to the media. O'Neal is quoted in 2002 as having said, "Kobe's the best player in this league. The scary thing about that is, he doesn't think he's the best and wants to get better."

Source: Star Tribune

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In a 2003 ESPN interview, Bryant called O'Neal "fat and out of shape" and said he had "childlike selfishness and jealousy."

In a 2003 ESPN interview, Bryant called O'Neal "fat and out of shape" and said he had "childlike selfishness and jealousy."

Source: ESPN

The same year, Bryant was accused of sexual assault by a woman in Colorado. She accused Bryant of raping her at the spa where she worked. Bryant publicly apologized but maintained his innocence and said he had viewed the encounter as consensual but understood how it was different for the woman. The criminal charges against Bryant were dismissed and he later settled a civil suit.

The same year, Bryant was accused of sexual assault by a woman in Colorado. She accused Bryant of raping her at the spa where she worked. Bryant publicly apologized but maintained his innocence and said he had viewed the encounter as consensual but understood how it was different for the woman. The criminal charges against Bryant were dismissed and he later settled a civil suit.

Source: Daily Beast

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Bryant claimed that O'Neal had been less than supportive during his very public sexual assault scandal. He said that he "heard nothing" "from [his] so-called big brother."

Bryant claimed that O'Neal had been less than supportive during his very public sexual assault scandal. He said that he "heard nothing" "from [his] so-called big brother."

Source: ESPN

In a police report reviewed and reported on by the Los Angeles Times, Bryant accused O'Neal of paying women up to a million dollars to keep quiet about affairs. O'Neal's agent later disputed the claims and called it "undeserving of a response."

In a police report reviewed and reported on by the Los Angeles Times, Bryant accused O'Neal of paying women up to a million dollars to keep quiet about affairs. O'Neal's agent later disputed the claims and called it "undeserving of a response."

Source: Los Angeles Times , ESPN

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When Bryant missed training camp and O'Neal was asked about absent players, he said, "I can't answer that, the full team is here."

When Bryant missed training camp and O'Neal was asked about absent players, he said, "I can't answer that, the full team is here."

Source: Tripleot/ESPN

O'Neal was traded to Miami Heat in 2004 after he demanded a new contract, and he went on to win a championship with them while Bryant won two more with the Lakers.

O'Neal was traded to Miami Heat in 2004 after he demanded a new contract, and he went on to win a championship with them while Bryant won two more with the Lakers.

Source: Business Insider

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After the Lakers lost an NBA final to the Boston Celtics in 2008, O'Neal performed a freestyle rap in NYC with lyrics like "last week Kobe couldn't do it without me" and "Kobe, how my a-- taste?"

After the Lakers lost an NBA final to the Boston Celtics in 2008, O'Neal performed a freestyle rap in NYC with lyrics like "last week Kobe couldn't do it without me" and "Kobe, how my a-- taste?"

Source: TMZ

Bryant and O'Neal faced-off on court on opposing teams until O'Neal's retirement in 2016. At a Christmas day game between the Lakers and Heat, they refused to shake hands.

Bryant and O'Neal faced-off on court on opposing teams until O'Neal's retirement in 2016. At a Christmas day game between the Lakers and Heat, they refused to shake hands.

Source: Business Insider

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Coach Jackson published a memoir in 2013 titled "Eleven Rings: The Soul Of Success" where he called O'Neal more "gregarious and charismatic than Kobe."

Coach Jackson published a memoir in 2013 titled "Eleven Rings: The Soul Of Success" where he called O'Neal more "gregarious and charismatic than Kobe."

Source: Los Angeles Times

At the height of the feud, Jackson called the rivalry "juvenile stuff, really juvenile stuff."

At the height of the feud, Jackson called the rivalry "juvenile stuff, really juvenile stuff."
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In the years since, the relationship between O'Neal and Bryant cooled significantly.

In the years since, the relationship between O'Neal and Bryant cooled significantly.

Source: Business Insider

They shared an MVP honor at the NBA All-Star Game in 2009.

They shared an MVP honor at the NBA All-Star Game in 2009.

Source: iHeartRadio

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In a 2011 KTLA appearance to promote his book "Shaq Uncut," O'Neal said, "Based on what [Bryant's] done, he's probably the greatest Laker of all time."

In a 2011 KTLA appearance to promote his book "Shaq Uncut," O'Neal said, "Based on what [Bryant's] done, he's probably the greatest Laker of all time."

Source: Business Insider

They've had candid conversations with each other, with Bryant even making an appearance on O'Neal's podcast "The Big Podcast With Shaq."

They've had candid conversations with each other, with Bryant even making an appearance on O'Neal's podcast "The Big Podcast With Shaq."

Source: TIME

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In the 2015 conversation, O'Neal said, "A lot of stuff was said out of the heat of the moment ... I guarantee I don't remember a lot of stuff that they said because I changed my thought process." Bryant criticized the media "that just put so much pressure on [them] as an organization."

In the 2015 conversation, O'Neal said, "A lot of stuff was said out of the heat of the moment ... I guarantee I don't remember a lot of stuff that they said because I changed my thought process." Bryant criticized the media "that just put so much pressure on [them] as an organization."

Source: TIME

In a 2018 TNT special, Bryant discussed not wanting to go back to the No. 2 spot on the team after O'Neal got back into shape.

In a 2018 TNT special, Bryant discussed not wanting to go back to the No. 2 spot on the team after O'Neal got back into shape.
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They briefly made headlines late last year when Bryant said they would have won more championships had O'Neal been in better shape. O'Neal then fired back that Bryant should have passed the ball to him more often.

They briefly made headlines late last year when Bryant said they would have won more championships had O'Neal been in better shape. O'Neal then fired back that Bryant should have passed the ball to him more often.

Source: ABC News

Bryant shut down the buzz around the conversation saying it's "nothing new."

Bryant shut down the buzz around the conversation saying it's "nothing new."

Source: ABC News

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Bryant shared a friendly relationship with O'Neal's son Shareef O'Neal and is said to have checked in on him from time-to-time after he underwent surgery to correct a heart condition in 2018.

Bryant shared a friendly relationship with O'Neal's son Shareef O'Neal and is said to have checked in on him from time-to-time after he underwent surgery to correct a heart condition in 2018.

Source: Bleacher Report

Bryant had checked in on Shareef as recently as the morning of the helicopter crash. Shareef shared the screenshots on his social media in a post saying, "I wish I didn't sleep in so I could've talked to you."

Bryant had checked in on Shareef as recently as the morning of the helicopter crash. Shareef shared the screenshots on his social media in a post saying, "I wish I didn't sleep in so I could've talked to you."

Source: Instagram

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In an emotional tribute to Bryant on his podcast, O'Neal said, "We pushed each other ... that's what people who care about each other do."

In an emotional tribute to Bryant on his podcast, O'Neal said, "We pushed each other ... that's what people who care about each other do."

Source: The Big Podcast with Shaq

"We're still gonna have the best duo ever created, that's not gonna change. But I wish at 60 and 70, in the old folks' home or on a show, we could talk about it."

"We're still gonna have the best duo ever created, that's not gonna change. But I wish at 60 and 70, in the old folks' home or on a show, we could talk about it."

Source: The Big Podcast with Shaq

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