Even though, their time together didn’t end on a good note, Shaquille O’Neal managed to patch up his beef with the late Kobe Bryant before he passed away in 2020. Just recently, though, the Los Angeles Lakers legend opened up on the feud that existed between them before.
Before the won their first three-peat together, Bryant and O’Neal spent three years playing together, mostly under Del Harris. During that stretch, the furthest the duo went was the Western Conference Finals against a Utah Jazz team led by All-Star Karl Malone and John Stockton.
![Los Angeles Lakers: Shaquille O'Neal Opens Up About Kobe Bryant Feud 1 Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_9093419.jpg)
Once Del Harris was let go, O’Neal and Bryant were helmed by former Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson. Before he did, the legendary coach led the Michael Jordan-led team to six championships in the 90s. With him leading the charge, the Lakers were optimized using the Triangle system, allowing them to win three consecutive rings from 2000 to 2003.
Unfortunately, their partnership ended bitterly as Los Angeles’ front office decided to trade O’Neal to the Miami Heat instead of giving him a new contract. As a result, the Lakers became Bryant’s team while the current NBA analyst won a ring with his new team. The late Lakers legend also won two more rings while wearing the Purple and Gold.
Los Angeles Lakers Icon Shaquille O’Neal Shares About Feud With the Late Kobe Bryant
![Los Angeles Lakers: Shaquille O'Neal Opens Up About Kobe Bryant Feud 2 Los Angeles Lakers, Shaquille O'Neal](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_14377891-scaled.jpg)
After O’Neal left the Lakers, a back-and-forth spat between him and Bryant went on in public. From there, the media publicized the feud between the two stars until they patched things up in a Players Only special in 2018. Just recently, though, O’Neal appeared on The Big Podcast and shared his thoughts about Bryant.
Shaq on his relationship with Kobe Bryant 🗣️
Watch all of the best moments from The Big Podcast in this week’s “Best Of” episode.
Live now 🚨: https://t.co/klKZKaQQvI pic.twitter.com/p35BvUhYGe
— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) May 29, 2024
In the video shared on X, the Lakers icon revealed that there was never a feud between him and the Black Mamba. He added that he always respected him and the late champion did so to him.
![Los Angeles Lakers: Shaquille O'Neal Opens Up About Kobe Bryant Feud 3 Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_9093430.jpg)
O’Neal’s revelation sheds a new light about his relationship with Bryant. Without a doubt, theirs is the stuff that makes legendary duos work in the NBA. Even with Bryant gone, the body of work they did for the Purple and Gold will forever live on,
![Los Angeles Lakers: Shaquille O'Neal Opens Up About Kobe Bryant Feud 4 Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_9093424.jpg)
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