Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant (Image source Getty Images)
During a recent episode of the podcast, ‘The Old Man and the Three’ hosted by JJ Redick, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was asked about his experience playing alongside Kobe Bryant during his time with the Lakers. In response, Shaq talks about how he navigated his disputes with Kobe Bryant when they were teammates at the Los Angeles Lakers.

JJ Reddick: It goes back to, I think, the realization that you weren’t him anymore, learning to seed control at times in that relationship. Did that make it easier when you got to Miami with D-Wade? 

Shaquille O’Neal: It was one word that kept us together; it’s respect. For example, you’ve been talking sh*t to me at my house the whole time… You’ve been talking crazy to me in my house all the time, but guess what? We respect each other, so it’ll never go overboard. I said some things, you cut me off, I said some things, I cut you off, but the respect is there, so it can never go overboard. We used to f*cking go at it, but the respect is there, and I tell people all the time.

Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Byrant had a great history of disputes

Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, two legendary basketball players, won three consecutive NBA championships in 2000-2002. Shaq was chosen as the NBA Finals MVP in each of their victories. However, in 2004, they faced disagreements over their respective roles with the Lakers and personal issues.

As a result, Shaq was dealt to the Miami Heat, while Bryant was re-signed by the Lakers as a free agent. Moreover, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson wrote a book in 2004 in which he detailed the problems that Mamba and the Big Diesel faced during their final season together.

Shaq and Byrant had a great history of disputes; however, Shaq still has feelings for his former teammate. Despite their long disagreements, they both respected each other, and that shows good sportsmanship.