Shaq–Kobe feud

Shaquille O'Neal (left), and Kobe Bryant (right), helped the Lakers win three straight NBA titles. Though they played well together on the court, the pair had an acrimonious relationship at times in the locker room.^[1]

The "Shaq–Kobe feud" (or "Kobe–Shaq feud") is the rivalry between National Basketball Association (NBA) players Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, who played together on the Los Angeles Lakers team from 1996 to 2004.

The two were able to win three consecutive NBA Championships (2000, 2001, 2002) and make an NBA Finals appearance in 2004. Personal differences and arguments over their respective roles on the Lakers were followed by a trade that sent O'Neal to the Miami Heat while Bryant was re-signed as a free agent by the Lakers. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson would later write a book entitled The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul, reflecting on the troubles Bryant and O'Neal had during their last season together.

Origins: 1996–1999

In 1996, the Los Angeles Lakers signed free agent All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal after freeing up salary by trading established center Vlade Divac and parting with other veteran players.^[2] That same year, they acquired the draft rights to high school player Kobe Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets in the Divac trade. No NBA team had previously drafted a guard straight from high school.^[3] The two sparred in their first three seasons playing together from 1996–1999.^[4] Bryant kept his teammates at a distance, answering non-basketball questions with one- or two-word responses. O'Neal told the Lakers when Bryant arrived, "I'm not gonna be babysitting."^[5] Bryant had extreme confidence in his ability, which was unusual for an 18-year-old. Some teammates interpreted Bryant's confidence as arrogance.^[6] While O'Neal's personality was good-humored, Bryant's demeanor was all-business and was interpreted by some teammates as selfishness.^[7] O'Neal began calling Bryant showboat because of his flashy offensive moves.^[8] In an overtime playoff loss to the Utah Jazz that eliminated the Lakers, O'Neal fouled out with two minutes remaining in regulation. Lakers coach Del Harris had designed the Laker offense around the rookie Bryant, who went on to shoot four air balls. Harris explained that Bryant's one-on-one skills made him the best choice.^[9] After the game, O'Neal put his arm around Bryant and told him there would be other opportunities.^[10] Lakers general manager Jerry West said the team's shortcoming made O'Neal angry since he was going to be judged by the team's success.^[11]

Bryant was assigned by the Lakers to play in the 1997 NBA Summer League to improve as a team player and learn where to send the ball when he drew double teams.^[12] The following season, Bryant was voted as a starter in the 1998 All-Star Game though he was a reserve on the Lakers. The Lakers struggled after the All-Star break, losing seven of their first 12 games, and Bryant had a stretch where he made only 30 of 100 shots. O'Neal wanted a championship immediately, and he did not want to wait for Bryant to grow up. Harris thought the NBA and its television broadcaster, National Broadcasting Company (NBC), were overexposing Bryant and that he became more of a one-on-one player after the break.^[13] Bryant's playing time became reduced. The Lakers were eliminated in the 1998 playoffs in the conference finals after they were swept by the Jazz, 4–0.^[14]

The team's lockout-shortened 50-game 1998–99 season included a brief stint as a player by Dennis Rodman, the firing of head coach Harris, and the interim head coaching stint of former Laker player Kurt Rambis.^[2] During the strike, O'Neal, Bryant, Derek Fisher, and Corie Blount played a two-on-two basketball game. Bryant was always a physical player during practice. Other players, though, disliked Bryant's approach to practice. Fisher said, "That was really the way we all should have been playing. With Kobe's spirit." During the game, O'Neal slapped Bryant. Fisher said neither O'Neal nor Bryant really started it, as they were both being physical.^[15] During the season, the team would blame their problems on what they felt was Bryant's selfish play. At one point, O'Neal pointed at Bryant and told reporters in the locker room, "There's the problem."^[16] Bryant's jerseys were outselling O'Neal's in Southern California sporting goods stores, and rumors started that O'Neal was jealous, as he was with Penny Hardaway when they played together in Orlando. "That's far from the truth," said Fisher. "All Shaq wants to do is win."^[17] Asked if he helped Bryant through his growing pains, O'Neal said "I try not to help guys out too much. Experience is the best teacher ... Kobe's a great player ... He's a new, up-and-coming kid."^[17] Rambis asked O'Neal, the veteran team leader, to heal the rift and reach out to Bryant. Rambis said O'Neal gave him a "blank, cold stare."^[18] The rift between O'Neal and Bryant continued into the playoffs. While the Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets in the first round of that year's NBA Playoffs, they were ultimately swept 4–0 by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round.^[19]

Three-peat

1999–2000

During the 1999 offseason, West and Lakers owner Jerry Buss agreed to sign then six-time NBA champion Phil Jackson to a high-priced contract to be the team's new head coach entering the 1999–2000 season.^[19][20] O'Neal and Bryant had both encouraged West to hire Jackson.^[21] Jackson decided that the offense would revolve around O'Neal, who would be given responsibility to distribute the ball.^[22] Jackson also wanted better leadership, physical conditioning, and defense from O'Neal.^[23] The coach chose to develop a close relationship with O'Neal and not Bryant. Jackson calculated that O'Neal's personality craved such a relationship.^[24] Bryant missed the season's first 15 games due to a broken right wrist, allowing the team to focus on O'Neal as Jackson had planned.^[25] The results of Jackson's hiring were stark, as the Lakers amassed a 67–15 record (one of the best records in league history). O'Neal led the league in scoring, averaging 29.7 points per game, and he won his first NBA Most Valuable Player Award.^[26] During the playoffs, the Lakers fought off the eighth-seeded Sacramento Kings in five games, and then defeated the Phoenix Suns in the second round, four games to one.

It was in the 2000 Western Conference Finals that a defining moment of O'Neal's and Bryant's on-court success together occurred. The Lakers had led the Portland Trail Blazers three games to one, before dropping Game 5 at home and Game 6 in Portland. The Blazers were leading the decisive Game 7, putting the Lakers on the brink of elimination. Portland led by 15 points early in the fourth quarter, before the Lakers mounted a 25–4 rally to take the lead. The comeback run culminated as Bryant drove the lane and threw an alley-oop pass to O'Neal for a one-handed slam dunk after which O'Neal ran upcourt with his mouth agape and both index fingers waving.^[27] Bryant extended his hand to O'Neal for a high five, but O'Neal in his celebration did not notice.^[28] The Lakers won the game 89–84, and the 13 point comeback after three quarters was the most ever in a Game 7 in the NBA playoffs. O'Neal had 18 points and 9 rebounds, and Bryant had 25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocked shots.^[29] The two players complimented each other on the alley-oop play after the game, and assistant coach Tex Winter thought they came to respect each other.^[30] The Lakers went on to defeat the Indiana Pacers in six games and won their first NBA championship since 1988.^[2] The Lakers led the series 2–0 behind O'Neal's dominating presence. The Lakers lost Game 3, which Bryant missed with an ankle injury. After O'Neal fouled out in overtime of Game 4, Jackson spread the floor and had Bryant take over the offense and lead the team to victory. Leading 110–109 with 1:32 remaining in Game 6, Jackson again spread the offense—even with O'Neal on the floor—and again allowed Bryant to take over; the Lakers won the game, 116–111, and won the championship.^[31]

The season was not without confrontation, as O'Neal in one team meeting said, "I have something to say. I think Kobe is playing too selfishly for us to win."^[32] According to Jackson, "Kobe didn't have a selfish agenda; he just felt that the way he had been playing was the best way he could contribute. Gradually, he's seen there is a different way to contribute that incorporates more of the team."^[33] Upon arriving to the Lakers that season, Winter said he was stunned to discover the level of hatred O'Neal expressed toward Bryant. "There was a lot of hatred in [O'Neal's] heart ... Kobe just took it and kept going." O'Neal regularly expressed to management that he did not believe the team could win a championship with Bryant. Winter observed that O'Neal influenced the entire team against Bryant.^[34] Winter thought that Bryant made it a point to get the ball to O'Neal that year, but O'Neal did not appreciate what Bryant was doing to help him.^[35] During that season's All-Star Game, Bryant did not participate in the slam dunk contest and a matchup against Vince Carter, following Jackson's request to pass on individual accomplishments to keep the focus on the team. During All-Star warm-ups, O'Neal mimicked Bryant's crossover dribble but threw the ball into the stands to accentuate Bryant's turnovers.^[36] Jackson and Winter relied on the triangle offense to heal the relationship between O'Neal and Bryant. The coaches believed that the offense was so structured that the relationship between the two players would be smoother on the court. The coaches would also tell the team they did not see the selfishness in Bryant that the players saw. Winter even put together a video for O'Neal to show that Bryant was playing his role correctly.^[37]

2000–2001

In 2001, the Lakers won the title again; however, O'Neal and Bryant began feuding during the season. O'Neal came into training camp out of shape, which disappointed Jackson and also Bryant, who worked hard over the offseason to improve his game. Bryant was leading the league in scoring as 2001 began, and Jackson said Bryant was playing the best ball of his career. O'Neal was shooting below 50 percent during stretches, and his free throw shooting was in the 20 percent range.^[38] O'Neal said of the Lakers in January, "When it was clear that everything went through me, the outcome of it was (a record of) 67–15, playing with enthusiasm, the city jumping up and down and a parade. And now we're 23–11. You figure it out ... I don't know why anybody else would want to change – other than selfish reasons."^[39] Bryant responded that it was a different year and the roster had undergone some changes and "things change, things evolve, and you just have to grow with that change."^[39] Lakers assistant coach Bill Bertka said a key factor was the team's defense after losing Fisher for most of the season.^[40] O'Neal requested a trade after a blowout win against the Phoenix Suns where Bryant scored 38 and O'Neal scored 18.^[39] Jackson commented that their actions were "juvenile" and they should appreciate each other and play as a team.^[39] Bryant would be criticized for forcing his offense and not involving his teammates enough.^[41] Even O'Neal's stepfather was overheard yelling at Bryant to pass the ball during a game.^[42] Bryant told Jackson that the "(triangle) offense is so simple. It doesn't display my talent ... it doesn't give me what I have to have for my game."^[42] According to Bryant, the team's defense was the issue and not his increased role in the offense.^[43] Bryant said that "scoring shouldn't affect (O'Neal's) defense," while O'Neal maintained that "if the big dog ain't me, then the house won't get guarded – period."^[43] Due to O'Neal's sensitivity toward criticism, Jackson overlooked O'Neal's shortcomings while maintaining his criticism of Bryant.^[44] West told O'Neal that he also had personal rivalries when he played with all-time greats Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor, but O'Neal needed to "stop being a baby ... put the team's success first."^[45]

Magic Johnson later noticed a change in O'Neal: "Shaq is saying 'It's me. I'm the one who has to get into shape, I'm the one who has to be ready for the second half run. I'm the one who has to close the middle down like I did last year.' ... He's not blaming everybody else."^[46] Fisher returned on March 13, upgrading the team's defense. The Lakers won their last eight games to finish the regular season with 56 wins. O'Neal averaged 33.7 points over the final 11 games. Bryant, upon returning from an injury, was willing to build off of O'Neal now that the center was in shape and playing defense.^[47] Bryant would play unselfishly in the playoffs.^[41] O'Neal referred to Bryant as "[his] idol" and "the best player in the league, by far" following a victory in Game 1 of that year's Western Conference Finals.^[48] The Lakers won the championship after a record-setting 15 wins and only one loss. After the lone loss, which was in the opening game of the NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, Jackson criticized O'Neal for his lack of defense.^[49] Before the following game, Lakers coach Phil Jackson growled at O'Neal, "Don't be afraid to block a shot!" after O'Neal failed to block a shot in Game 1. O'Neal finished Game 2 with 28 points, 20 rebounds and eight blocks. ^[50]

2001–2002

O'Neal missed training camp due to toe surgery, while Jackson missed most of camp due to the death of his 94-year-old mother, and Bryant returned to Philadelphia to bury his grandfather. Combined with the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, O'Neal said it would be hard for basketball players to be divided by pettiness.^[51] The Lakers won their third consecutive championship, defeating the New Jersey Nets, 4–0. It was the Lakers' first championship sweep in their history, and O'Neal won his third consecutive NBA Finals MVP.^[52]

Final years as teammates

The 2002–03 NBA season began with the three-time defending champions getting off to one of their worst starts ever. The team was several games under .500 at 11–19 with their return to the playoffs questionable. Shaquille O'Neal was sidelined with a toe injury. O'Neal could have had surgery on his toe early in the summer (which would have allowed him to return to playing sooner), but he decided to wait and have the surgery performed not long before the Lakers' pre-season training camp began. He said, "I got hurt on company time, so I’ll rehab on company time."^[53] During the season, Bryant had a nine-game streak where he scored at least 40 points and a 13-game streak where he scored 35 or better. Still, the relationship between O'Neal and Bryant remained peaceful. Jackson had ordered Bryant to be more aggressive.^[54] The Lakers ended that season with the 5th seed in the Western Conference, failing to get home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. They defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games, but were eliminated by eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in the conference semifinals.

The subsequent off-season included accusations and then charges of rape by Bryant in Colorado.^[55] On July 16, a little more than two weeks after the initial assault allegations, the Lakers announced the signings of veteran free agents and former All-Stars Karl Malone and Gary Payton, who were recruited by O'Neal.^[56][57] After the signings, the Lakers were widely considered a favorite to win another NBA title.^[58][59] However, even with these additions, the Lakers would not be able to avoid controversy.

Just prior to the start of the 2003–04 season, Bryant privately warned Jackson, "If (O'Neal) starts saying (unreasonable) things in the press, I'll fire back ... I've had it."^[60] There had been no public indications of animosity between the two since the 2000–2001 season.^[61] With Bryant absent from camp due to his legal situation and his recovery from knee surgery, O'Neal said "the full team is here." Later, after sitting out an exhibition game to rest a sore left heel, O'Neal said, "I want to be right [in the regular season] for Derek [Fisher], Karl and Gary." Bryant was again ignored by O'Neal.^[62]

When Bryant joined the Lakers in camp, O'Neal told reporters Bryant should look to be more of a passer than a scorer until Bryant's knee was fully healed. Bryant responded that he knew how to play the guard position, and O'Neal should worry about the low post.^[63] O'Neal responded, ""Just ask Karl and Gary why they came here. One person. Not two. One. Period."^[63] O'Neal agreed that Bryant could handle playing guard, but Bryant needed advice on how to play team ball. O'Neal added that he would voice his opinions as he saw fit because the Lakers were his team. He said that if Bryant, who would be a free agent at the season's end, didn't like what O'Neal had to say, Bryant should just opt out since O'Neal said "I ain't going nowhere."^[63] Jackson told the team to not discuss the issue further with reporters.^[64]

In a subsequent interview with Jim Gray of ESPN, Bryant questioned O'Neal's claims of team leadership. Bryant claimed that O'Neal came into training camp "fat and out of shape", that O'Neal blamed others for the team's defeats, and that O'Neal previously exaggerated the degree to which injuries had affected his game as a cover for simply being out of condition. Bryant criticized O'Neal's public lobbying for a contract extension when "we have two future Hall of Famers (Malone and Payton) playing here pretty much for free". He also criticized O'Neal for only taking responsibility when the team won. He accused O'Neal of threatening not to put forth his best effort if he was not passed the ball more often.^[65] Jackson fined Bryant an undisclosed amount for defying his orders to not talk to the press.^[64] O'Neal would reveal after the season that he promised Malone and Payton he would cease feuding with Bryant in light of his legal situation with the rape charge.^[66] On opening night of the season, an injured Bryant sat down next to O'Neal during the Lakers' victory over the Dallas Mavericks. "We put it behind us," Bryant said. "Shaq and I are going to move on, be teammates and help this team to a fourth title."^[67]

The Lakers started the season with a 21–3 record, and they received accolades as the greatest NBA team ever. However, the Lakers lost Malone for three months to a knee injury during the winter.^[68][69] During the All-Star break, Buss suspended contract negotiations with Jackson, who was seeking to double his salary from $6 million to $12 million on his expiring contract. Jackson had a contract offer outstanding from the Lakers, but he had not acted on it. The Lakers also suspended talks with O'Neal, who wanted an extension with a pay raise on his remaining three years for $30 million. The Lakers had hoped O'Neal would take less money due to his age, physical conditioning, and games missed due to injuries. During a preseason game, O'Neal had yelled at Lakers owner Jerry Buss, "Pay me." The Los Angeles Times wrote that both of the Lakers moves were a concession to Bryant.^[70] The Lakers slid towards mediocrity during the spring. Injuries hampered Los Angeles, keeping them as the fourth seed in the Western Conference midway through season. The team never came together defensively. Winter said, "Even though Shaq was a big presence, he was not a great shot blocker. And he didn't like to play the screen and roll, so he put his teammates in jeopardy. He didn't like to help [on defense]."^[71] In March, after Bryant received internal criticism about his shot selection, he scored just one point while taking three shots in the first half against Orlando which the Lakers trailed by 11. He scored 37 in the second half and tied a team record with 24 in the fourth quarter as the Lakers won in overtime. Against Sacramento in April, Bryant took just one shot in the first half against tight defense. He finished the game with eight points. An anonymous teammate told the Los Angeles Times, "I don't know how we can forgive him." Afterward, Jackson urged Bryant to be more aggressive offensively.^[72]

The Lakers ultimately entered the playoffs as the second seed, thanks to an overtime victory versus the Portland Trail Blazers on the final night of the season, courtesy of a pair of buzzer beaters from Bryant.^[73] They defeated the Houston Rockets, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Minnesota Timberwolves before advancing to the 2004 NBA Finals, where they were considered a favorite to defeat the Detroit Pistons.^[74][75] However, after five games, the Lakers found themselves not only defeated but dominated by the Pistons, who won the NBA title.^[76] Winter said, "Shaq defeated himself against Detroit. He played way too passively. He had one big game ... He's always interested in being a scorer, but he hasn't had nearly enough concentration on defense and rebounding."^[77]

After the loss, the division between O'Neal and Bryant came to a head. At the news conference after the final game, O'Neal addressed the uncertainty around Coach Phil Jackson's now-expired contract, and Bryant's impending free agency, which meant either or both might not return to the Lakers the next season. With regard to the issue of people possibly leaving the team, O'Neal commented that he understood that everyone would need to do what was best for themselves, then adding "including me".^[78]

Eventually Jackson, a favorite of O'Neal, was not offered a new contract by the Lakers. Many sports analysts and spectators assumed that this was because of Bryant, who had at times voiced displeasure with Jackson's offensive scheme.^[79] However, Winter said Jackson announced at the All-Star break that he would not want to return to the Lakers if Bryant returned.^[80] Buss also longed for the Lakers to return to the fast break offense of Showtime.^[81] After learning of Jackson's departure, O'Neal demanded to be traded. He made it clear that he felt the Laker organization was making moves designed primarily to placate Bryant, saying "The direction they’re going ... I don’t want to be a part of this."^[82][83] Bryant, meanwhile, was involved in discussions with the Los Angeles Clippers. O'Neal's demand was soon indulged, as he was sent to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a first-round draft pick.^[84]

No longer teammates

Shaquille O'Neal (left) was traded to the Miami Heat while Kobe Bryant (right) re-signed with the Lakers.

A day after O'Neal was traded, Bryant re-signed with the Lakers for seven years and $136 million. Bryant said he enjoyed playing with both Jackson and O'Neal, and he said he did not influence the Lakers' decisions regarding the two. Regardless, newspapers the next day criticized Bryant for his alleged manipulation of the team.^[85][86] O'Neal added, "When it came to my leaving, [Kobe] could have spoken up. He could have said something. He didn't say anything." Winter said, "[O'Neal] left because he couldn't get what he wanted—a huge pay raise. There was no way ownership could give him what he wanted. Shaq's demands held the franchise hostage, and the way he went about it didn't please the owner too much."^[87]

Later, news came out that Bryant had referred to O'Neal while being questioned by police in 2003. According to reports, Bryant stated that he should have paid off his women so that they wouldn't say anything, like O'Neal. Bryant also stated that O'Neal would pay women up to US$1 million to stay quiet about their rendezvous. It also was reported that investigators had told O'Neal of Bryant's supposed statements shortly after the investigation had begun. O'Neal denied these claims, stating that Bryant had no idea about O'Neal's personal business since the two of them rarely spent any time together. O'Neal went as far as to say that he "[wasn't] the one buying love, [Bryant was] the one buying love", a reference to Bryant's purchase of a multi-million dollar diamond ring for his wife in the aftermath of the revelation that Bryant had been unfaithful to her.^[88]

In August 2004, the NBA scheduled the Lakers and the Heat to play on Christmas Day. The game registered the NBA's highest regular season television ratings since 1998 and would hold its spot until a 2008 Christmas Day meeting between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics. In the lead-up to the game, O'Neal referred to Bryant as a "Corvette" and himself as a "brick wall" in an interview with ABC's Al Michaels during halftime of Monday Night Football.^[89]

Before the opening tip, Bryant and O'Neal did not talk, but did greet each other by bumping forearms. During the game, Bryant was fouled by O'Neal several times but the contacts were not excessive. O'Neal fouled out late in the fourth quarter. But the Heat still won the game in overtime, led by up-and-coming star, Dwyane Wade. Bryant missed a potentially game-winning shot as time expired. When asked about the brick wall comment, Bryant said, "I knew there was a lot of talk about the brick wall and all that. But I think that was kind of just to hype the game. Hopefully, this is all behind us now." O'Neal shared a similar tone, saying "I'm over it. It's old news to me."^[90] Bryant and O'Neal met on the court twice more during the season, once during the NBA All-Star Game and once more when the Lakers played the Heat on March 17, 2005.

In the following season, Bryant and O'Neal did not engage in further public attacks. However, hard feelings were apparently still present when they refused to refer to each other by name while talking to the media. The Lakers and the Heat faced off again on Christmas Day in 2005, with the Heat winning the second time. Unlike last year, Bryant and O'Neal did not shake hand and have eye contact with each other before and after the game. O'Neal said, "It was just another game to me."^[91] Bryant said "I wasn't even thinking about it. It is what it is."^[92]

O'Neal indirectly referenced the feud in his cameo appearance in the 2006 movie Scary Movie 4. O'Neal is kidnapped in the movie in a Saw parody, and he hears a frightening voice. A terrified O'Neal then asks, "Kobe?"^[93][94]

Later years

Prior to their January 16, 2006 meeting, O'Neal greeted Bryant on the court warmly, a departure from his previous attitude toward Bryant. The two shook hands and hugged before tip-off. O'Neal said he was spurred to make up with Bryant by NBA legend Bill Russell.^[95] After Bryant scored 81 points in a single game against the Toronto Raptors, O'Neal refused to comment to the media about it.^[96] O'Neal broke his silence a few weeks later during a media session at the 2006 NBA All-Star Game, when he acknowledged that he had watched Bryant's 81-point game and offered praise for the performance.^[97] During the All-Star Game itself, the two were seen laughing and joking together.^[98]

From 2004–2006, the Heat and the Lakers met on Christmas Day to emphasize the Shaq-Kobe battle. This tradition ended in 2007, as the Lakers faced the Suns, and the Heat took on the Cavaliers. However, on February 20, 2008, O'Neal was traded from the Heat to the Suns.

In 2007, O'Neal said that Bryant should have won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, which was awarded to Dirk Nowitzki.^[99] During the offseason, Bryant was "beyond furious" at reports from a Laker insider that Bryant had insisted O'Neal be traded from the Lakers.^[100] Bryant reported that Buss said, "I am not going to re-sign Shaq. I am not about to pay him $30 million a year or $80 million over three years ... His body is breaking down, and I don't want to pay that money to him when I can get value for him right now rather than wait ... It doesn't matter to me what you do in free agency because I do not want to pay [Shaq], period."^[100] O'Neal agreed with Bryant: "There's no doubt in my mind Kobe is telling the truth. I believe him a thousand percent ... I would have respected Dr. Buss more as a man if he would have told me that himself, because I know he said it."^[100]

In 2008, O'Neal reiterated his belief that Bryant deserved the MVP award.^[101] Bryant went on to win the award for the first time in his career that season. During the offseason, O'Neal was at a party, and got up to rap in front of the crowd. O'Neal mentioned Bryant multiple times in the rap, saying that "Kobe couldn't do it without me", referring to Bryant and the Lakers loss in the 2008 NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics. He also was quoted saying "Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes".^[102] During the rap, O'Neal also blamed his divorce on Bryant's comments to investigators in 2004 about O'Neal paying off women.^[103] Bryant commented that he "didn't take (O'Neal's rap) any kind of way whatsoever."^[104] O'Neal later said he was freestyling and that "it was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever ... I'm totally cool with Kobe. No issue at all."^[105] Rap artist Snoop Dogg, a Laker fan, agreed that "Shaq has all access and the right to do and say what he wants to say in fun, in the spirit of rap."^[106]

In November of the 2008–2009 season, O'Neal told reporters that he believed the entire feud has been the fault of the Lakers head coach Phil Jackson. O'Neal later retracted the statement and apologized, interrupting one of Jackson's pre-game interviews to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.^[107] On January 29, 2009, in an interview with Stephen A. Smith, O'Neal claimed that the feud between him and Bryant was simply a marketing ploy, saying "We helped you hype it up. I know what I'm doing, brother. I'm the smartest player in the world." On Bryant, O'Neal claimed that he "always did love Kobe." On Jackson, O'Neal claimed he is "the greatest coach ever. And he's done a lot for me. Phil's my guy. It's all marketing, baby." O'Neal also added that had he stayed with the Lakers, him and Bryant would have won another three or four titles. "We're still the greatest little-man, big-man 1-2 punch ever created in the history of the game," O'Neal said.^[108] At the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, O'Neal, Bryant, and Jackson were all reunited on the West squad. O'Neal and Bryant were both named co-MVPs for the game and were shown laughing and hugging during the game.^[109] Bryant and the Lakers would go to face the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals. Shaq showed support for Kobe, on his Twitter page saying: “thats right i am saying it today and today only, i want kobe bryant to get number 4, spread da word” [sic].^[110]

After the Lakers once again won the title in Game 7 of the 2010 Finals, Bryant was asked what it meant to him personally. He responded, "Just one more than Shaq ... you can take that to the bank." Bryant had won five NBA titles, and O'Neal had won four. Bryant added, "You guys know how I am. I don't forget anything."^[111] O'Neal again congratulated Bryant on his Twitter page: "Congratulations Kobe, u deserve it. U played great. Enjoy it man enjoy it. I know what ur sayin 'Shaq how my ass taste' [sic]."^[112]

Upon hearing Bryant's comment about having more titles than O'Neal, Wyc Grousbeck, principal owner of the Boston Celtics, said to Danny Ainge, Celtics' president, "Let’s go get Shaq."^[113] O'Neal signed a two-year contract with the Celtics for the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 season for the league minimum of $1.3 million and adding to the Celtics–Lakers rivalry. Bill Simmons of ESPN speculated that O'Neal wanted to tie Bryant with five titles and that still "Shaq hates Kobe and Kobe hates Shaq."^[114] O'Neal said he didn't "compete with little guys who run around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a night – like D-Wade, Kobe." O'Neal added that he is only competing against Tim Duncan: "If Tim Duncan gets five rings, then that gives some writer the chance to say 'Duncan is the best,' and I can't have that."^[115]

O'Neal retires

O'Neal announced his retirement via social media on June 1, 2011.^[116][117] Two days later, O'Neal held a press conference at his home in Orlando to officially announce his retirement.^[118] When asked who was the greatest player he ever played with during his career, O'Neal did not answer but Bryant was the only player whose name was mentioned.^[119] He also mentioned that his departure from Los Angeles has nothing to do with Kobe Bryant, saying "the reason I left wasn't about what Kobe did; it was about something else. I was making maximum dollars and felt I deserved more. It was a business end." When asked whether leaving Los Angeles was a bad decision, he answered "I don't like to live in a world of ifs. But if we would have stayed, possibly we could have got six [championships]."^[119]

After his retirement, O'Neal was hired by Turner Sports as an NBA analyst. When asked whether it would be difficult for him to criticize Bryant, he answered "I have the ability and the backing to give fair criticism. The only time I have trouble with people giving criticism is when they haven't walked that walk. I've walked many walks in my 19-year career, so I think any criticism that I give should be fair.^[120] During the 2011 NBA lockout, Bryant discussed his problems with O'Neal with a radio station in Italy, saying "I like players who workout. I use to do that 6–7 hours per day. I cannot stand players who practice for 30 minutes."^[121] O'Neal countered that he did not need to work out, and that "My three finals M.V.P.’s speaks for itself."^[122]

Head-to-head meetings between O'Neal and Bryant

O'Neal is 7–4 all-time against Bryant, though Bryant has outscored O'Neal at every meeting.^[123]

#	Game	Date	Score	Player	Points	Rebounds	Assists
1	Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers	December 25, 2004	104–102 (OT)	Kobe Bryant	42	3	6
				Shaquille O'Neal	24	11	3
2	Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat	March 17, 2005	89–102	Kobe Bryant	26	10	3
				Shaquille O'Neal	25	12	2
3	Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat	December 25, 2005	92–97	Kobe Bryant	37	8	6
				Shaquille O'Neal	18	17	3
4	Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers	January 16, 2006	92–100	Kobe Bryant	37	3	4
				Shaquille O'Neal	18	10	1
5	Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns	February 20, 2008	130–124	Kobe Bryant	41	5	3
				Shaquille O'Neal	15	9	3
6	Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns	November 20, 2008	105–92	Kobe Bryant	24	5	3
				Shaquille O'Neal	15	9	1
7	Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers	February 26, 2009	106–132	Kobe Bryant	22	4	8
				Shaquille O'Neal	12	7	0
8	Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns	November 20, 2009	111–118	Kobe Bryant	49	11	2
				Shaquille O'Neal	33	7	3
9	Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers	December 25, 2009	102–87	Kobe Bryant	35	9	8
				Shaquille O'Neal	11	7	0
10	Los Angeles Lakers at Cleveland Cavaliers	January 21, 2010	87–93	Kobe Bryant	31	2	4
				Shaquille O'Neal	13	6	3
11	Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers	January 30, 2011	109–96	Kobe Bryant	41	3	4
				Shaquille O'Neal	0	6	0

References

General

• Lazenby, Roland (2006). The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers in the Words of Those Who Lived It. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 9780071430340. http://books.google.com/books?id=HiH8z6EmSIsC&lpg=PA121&vq=balloons&dq=the%20show%20roland%20lazenby&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 

Specific

1. ^ Lazenby, pp. 378–9, 399–400, 428–9.
2. ^ ^{a b c} "History of the Lakers". http://www.nba.com/lakers/history/lakers_history_new.html. Retrieved 17 July 2010. "The arrival of Shaquille O'Neal necessitated the trading of longtime center Vlade Divac, and the trading or renouncement of several other veterans" 
3. ^ Green Jr, Ron (5 March 2010). "Kobe Bryant was once a Charlotte Hornet, for 13 days". Charlotte Observer. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/03/05/1289903/passing-on-kobe.html. Retrieved 17 July 2010. "West knew no NBA team had drafted a backcourt player straight out of high school ..." 
4. ^ Plotz, David (2001-06-01). "Los Angeles Lakers: Why the NBA's unbeatable team will collapse (but not this month)". The Washington Post Company. http://www.slate.com/id/109243/. Retrieved 17 July 2010. "Nothing in either man's character suggests he will be satisfied playing second banana." 
5. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.323
6. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.324
7. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.325
8. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.328
9. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.332
10. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.336–7
11. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.335
12. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.337
13. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.339–342
14. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.345–7
15. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.349
16. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.350–1
17. ^ ^{a b} Lazenby 2006, p.351
18. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.361
19. ^ ^{a b} Armour, Terrence E. (14 June 1999). "Jackson Set To Sign 4-year Lakers Contract". Chicago Tribune. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-06-14/sports/9906140143_1_interim-coach-kurt-rambis-lakers-owner-jerry-buss-los-angeles-lakers. Retrieved 28 July 2010. "There also was a growing rift between O'Neal and Bryant, and it carried over into the playoffs." 
20. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.363–6
21. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.366
22. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.378
23. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.380
24. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.379
25. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.378, 380
26. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.378
27. ^ Kamenetzky, Andy; Kamenetzky, Brian (27 May 2010). "Top 10 Lakers playoffs moments: Kobe-to-Shaq cements Game 7 comeback against Portland". ESPN.com. http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/7507/top-10-lakers-playoffs-moments-kobe-to-shaq-cements-game-7-comeback-against-portland. Retrieved 25 August 2010. "Kobe drives the lane as Shaq drifts towards the basket while signaling for a lob. The alley oop goes up. O'Neal stuffs it down one-handed, then races upcourt, mouth agape, two index fingers out in salute of everyone in his sight line." 
28. ^ "Kobe Bryant vs. Shaquille O'Neal: Where Amazingly Sad Happens". ESPN.com. 27 May 2010. http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/6459/kobe-bryant-vs-shaquille-o-neal-where-amazingly-sad-happens. Retrieved 25 August 2010. "O'Neal throws it down and the camera follows him as he heads down the court yelling in celebration, totally blowing right past Kobe, who has his hand out to high-five Shaq. Kobe half-heartedly grabs at O'Neal's forearm as he passes; Shaq doesn't even notice." 
29. ^ "Dreadful drought: Blazers' dry spell allows Lakers to take Game 7". CNNSI.com. Associated Press. 5 June 2000. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2000/playoffs/news/2000/06/04/blazers_lakers_ap/. Retrieved 25 August 2010. "Before Sunday, the biggest comeback in a Game 7 was a mere six points." 
30. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.387–8
31. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.389–91
32. ^ Wise, Mike (1 April 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL: NOTEBOOK; Bryant Feels Like a Square In Lakers' Triangle Offense". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/01/sports/pro-basketball-notebook-bryant-feels-like-a-square-in-lakers-triangle-offense.html. Retrieved 28 July 2010. "In one passage, Jackson quotes O'Neal at a team meeting last season: "I have something to say. I think Kobe is playing too selfishly for us to win."" 
33. ^ Taylor, Phil (24 April 2000). "Boy Ii Man: Erstwhile teen hot dog Kobe Bryant has grown into a consummate team player, which is a big reason the Lakers are huge favorites to win the NBA title". SI.com (CNN). http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1019019/1/index.htm. Retrieved 19 August 2010. "Kobe didn't have a selfish agenda; he just felt that the way he had been playing was the best way he could contribute." 
34. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.378–9
35. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.380
36. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.383
37. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.379–80
38. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.398–9
39. ^ ^{a b c d} Ortiz, Jorge L. (14 January 2001). "Shaq-Kobe Feud Threatens Lakers' Reign". San Francisco Chronicle. http://articles.sfgate.com/2001-01-14/sports/17580379_1_kobe-bryant-glen-rice-superstars-shaquille-o-neal. Retrieved 29 July 2010. ""When it was clear that everything went through me, the outcome of it was (a record of) 67–15, playing with enthusiasm, the city jumping up and down and a parade. And now we're 23–11. You figure it out," O'Neal said. "We did it last year; it worked out to the city's and to the organization's favor. So, I don't know why anybody else would want to change – other than selfish reasons."" 
40. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.398
41. ^ ^{a b} Moore, David Leon (8 May 2002). "Bryant continues to hold court". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/basketba/2002-05-08-bryant.htm. Retrieved 28 July 2010. "Last season, however, Bryant's tendency to force his offense and ignore his teammates caused a potentially serious rift between him and O'Neal"" 
42. ^ ^{a b} Turner, Broderick (22 March 2001). "Jackson, Bryant not on same page". The Press-Enterprise. http://www.press-enterprise.com/newsarchive/2001/03/22/985245967.html. Retrieved 28 July 2010. "O'Neal's step-father, Phil Harrison, was overhead yelling at Bryant during Sunday's game in Orlando, telling the guard to pass the ball. O'Neal said he didn't know if it was true." 
43. ^ ^{a b} Wise, Mike (11 January 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Tension Between O'Neal and Bryant Is Rising Every Day". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/11/sports/pro-basketball-tension-between-o-neal-and-bryant-is-rising-every-day.html?pagewanted=1. Retrieved 5 August 2010. "Asked to interpret O'Neal comments, he replied: "All we ask from Shaq is to be the dominant presence that he is and play solid defense. That's it. Scoring shouldn't affect his defense."" 
44. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.399
45. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.401
46. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.402
47. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.402–3
48. ^ "Kobe Seals Sweet 16". NBA.com. 19 May 2001. http://www.nba.com/playoffs2001/finals/west/recap_lal_sas_010519.html. Retrieved 19 July 2010. "... I told Kobe that he was my idol ... I'm serious. He's playing phenomenal. I think he's the best player in the league, by far." 
49. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.404
50. ^ Heisler, Mark (May 11, 2011). "Phil Jackson's tenure produced the most success and fun we've ever seen". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/60Bg2awMY. 
51. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.407
52. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.410
53. ^ Ventre, Mark (September 30, 2004). "Shaq Should Shut His Big Mouth". NBCSports.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5y6TkRAH1. "Before the 2002-03 season, he waited until right before the season to get surgery on his toe. Later, he explained: “I got hurt on company time, so I’ll rehab on company time.”" 
54. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.417–8
55. ^ "Kobe Bryant charged with sexual assault". CNN. 18 July 2003. http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/07/18/kobe.bryant/. 
56. ^ "Lakers Sign Free Agents Gary Payton and Karl Malone". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 16, 2003. http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/payton_malone_030716.html. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
57. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.422
58. ^ Wise, Mike (October 4, 2003). "Pro Basketball; With Bryant Absent, Lakers Begin Practicing". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/04/sports/pro-basketball-with-bryant-absent-lakers-begin-practicing.html. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
59. ^ May, Peter (October 28, 2003). "Lakers are a lock -- for turmoil". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/articles/2003/10/28/lakers_are_a_lock____for_turmoil/. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
60. ^ "Excerpt: Bryant's trial, attitude took toll on Jackson, Lakers". SI.com (CNN). 12 October 2004. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/10/12/jackson/index.html. Retrieved 2 August 2010. ""I'm not going to take any s--- from Shaq[uille O'Neal] this year," Kobe blurted out. "If he starts saying things in the press, I'll fire back. I'm not afraid to go up against him. I've had it."" 
61. ^ "Bryant says it's business as usual". Deseret News. Associated Press. 30 October 2003. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20031030/ai_n11422207/?tag=content;col1. Retrieved 10 August 2010. "This was the first overt sign of hostility between them since midway through the 2000–01 season" 
62. ^ Stein, Marc (26 October 2003). "Shaq calls Lakers 'my team'". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&id=1647603. Retrieved 11 August 2010. "O'Neal said at the time that "the full team is here," leading some to speculate that he preferred to play this season without the distractions attached to Bryant's court case" 
63. ^ ^{a b c} Heisler, Mark (21 November 2008). "Inside the Kobe-Shaq feud". SI.com (CNN). http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/the_bonus/11/20/kobe.shaq/index.html. Retrieved 17 July 2010. 
64. ^ ^{a b} "Shaq-Kobe feud leads to team meeting". Deseret News. Associated Press. 29 October 2003. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20031029/ai_n11430263/?tag=content;col1. Retrieved 10 August 2010. "At practice Monday, Jackson ordered the team not to discuss the dust-up with reporters. He fined Bryant for defying that order by talking to ESPN later that day" 
65. ^ Bryant, Kobe (28 October 2003). Interview with Jim Gray. ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1648431. Retrieved 17 July 2010. 
66. ^ Friend, Tom (21 June 2004). "Shaq knew he'd be shown the door". ESPN The Magazine. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?id=1824721. Retrieved 28 July 2010. "And the reason is, he'd promised Malone and Payton back in November he'd stay off Kobe's case." 
67. ^ "Payton, Malone set the tone in Kobe's absence". ESPN.com. 28 October 2003. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=231028013. Retrieved 19 July 2010. "Bryant sat alongside O'Neal for the start of the fourth quarter and stayed on the bench for the rest of the game." 
68. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.422
69. ^ "Karl Malone Bio". nba.com. http://www.nba.com/history/players/malonek_bio.html. Retrieved 24 August 2010. "Due to a knee injury and subsequent surgery he missed 40 games but did return near season's end only to re-injure his knee in the 2004 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons" 
70. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.421, 423
71. ^ Lazenby 2006, p. 426
72. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.425–6
73. ^ "Kobe sends game to OT, wins it in 2OT". ESPN.com. 14 April 2004. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=240414022. Retrieved 24 August 2010. "They showed it Wednesday night in the regular-season finale when Kobe Bryant's 3-pointer at the end of double overtime gave the Lakers a 105–104 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, and, more importantly, the Pacific Division title." 
74. ^ Broussard, Chris (June 9, 2004). "Pro Basketball; Lakers Crush Pistons' Hope Of Taking The First 2". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/09/sports/basketball/09nba.html. Retrieved April 28, 2011. 
75. ^ "Lakers are heavy favorite". The Detroit News. June 2, 2004. 
76. ^ Wojnowski, Bob (June 16, 2004). "Pistons finish Lakers' era, begin own". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/pistons/2004-06-16-wojnowski-comment_x.htm. Retrieved April 28, 2011. 
77. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.428
78. ^ Broussard, Chris (17 June 2004). "Jackson's Off-Season Likely to Be Long". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/17/sports/pro-basketball-jackson-s-off-season-likely-to-be-long.html. Retrieved 24 August 2010. ""This summer is going to be a different summer for a lot of people," O'Neal said. "Everyone is going to take care of their own business and everyone is going to do what's best for them, including me."" 
79. ^ Broussard, Chris (19 June 2004). "Wheels Come Off Lakers' Dynasty". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/19/sports/pro-basketball-wheels-come-off-lakers-dynasty.html. Retrieved 24 August 2010. "The feeling throughout the Lakers organization is that Bryant is behind these moves." 
80. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.423
81. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.428
82. ^ "Shaq holds firm in his demand". The Albany Herald. June 27, 2004. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-M1EAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1157,4543505. Retrieved April 21, 2011. 
83. ^ "Jackson Not Returning; Shaq Requested Trade". nbcsports.com. MSNBC. June 20, 2004. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5236840/. Retrieved April 21, 2011. 
84. ^ "Lakers Acquire Odom, Butler, Grant and a Future First Rounder for Shaq". nba.com. 14 July 2004. http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/odom_shaq_trade_040714.html. Retrieved 24 August 2010. "The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired forward Lamar Odom, forward Caron Butler, forward Brian Grant and a future first round draft pick from the Miami Heat in exchange for center Shaquille O’Neal, it was announced today" 
85. ^ Lazenby 2006, pp.429–30
86. ^ "Kobe denies getting Jackson, Shaq ousted". nbcsports.com. MSNBC. 16 July 2004. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5345751/ns/sports-nba/. Retrieved 24 August 2010. "The decision came a day after the Lakers traded fellow superstar Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat. Now, it will be Bryant — along with incoming coach Rudy Tomjanovich and Heat imports Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Brian Grant — who will lead them into the future." 
87. ^ Lazenby 2006, p.434
88. ^ "Shaq angrily denies paying sex hush money". MSNBC.com. 30 September 2004. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6134411/ns/bryant_sexual_assault_lawsuit/. Retrieved 18 July 2010. "... he should have done what Shaq does ... that Shaq would pay his women not to say anything ..." 
89. ^ Associated Press (20 December 2004). "Shaq on Kobe: 'He's a Corvette, I'm a brick wall'". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-12-20-shaq-kobe_x.htm. Retrieved 19 July 2010. "If you've got a Corvette that runs into a brick wall, you know what's gonna happen ..." 
90. ^ DuPree, David (December 27, 2004). "Shaq, Heat get best of Bryant". USA Today: p. C.14. 
91. ^ Reynolds, Tim (December 25, 2005). "No Christmas cheer in Miami as Heat edge Lakers 97-92". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/games/2005-12-25-lakers-heat_x.htm?. Retrieved April 26, 2011. 
92. ^ "Shaq and Heat beat Kobe and Lakers". Charleston Daily Mail: p. 4.B. December 26, 2005. 
93. ^ Harvey, Steve (October 16, 2007). "Dana Point authorities answer 'wild' cries for help". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yFmoyMHI. 
94. ^ Guerra, Joey (April 18, 2006). "If the previous three didn't scare you off, this one's great". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yFn31mLn. 
95. ^ "O'Neal Squashes Feud With Bryant". The Washington Post. January 18, 2006. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/17/AR2006011701377_pf.html. Retrieved 28 July 2010. ""I had orders from the great Bill Russell," O'Neal said. "Me and him were talking in Seattle the other day, and he was telling me how rivalries should be. I asked him if he ever disliked anybody he played against, and he told me, 'No, never,' and he told me that I should shake Kobe Bryant's hand and let bygones be bygones and bury the hatchet." 
96. ^ Plaschke, Bill (January 25, 2006). "There's Still a Lot of 8-Hate". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yFiZj1Bl. 
97. ^ Heisler, Mark (February 18, 2006). "Finalists Named for Hall of Fame". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yFjwe0TO. 
98. ^ Wurst, Matthew D. (19 February 2006). "55 Things About the 55th All-Star Game". NBA.com. http://www.nba.com/allstar2006/allstar_game/55things_as06.html. Retrieved 28 July 2010. "What happened after Shaq and Kobe got entangled in the lane during the first quarter? Nothing but laughter all around." 
99. ^ "Shaq raps on New York stage, takes shots at Kobe". ESPN.com. June 24, 2008. Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yFhEQQmW. 
100. ^ ^{a b c} "Bryant asks for trade, then backtracks slightly". ESPN.com. 31 July 2007. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2886927. Retrieved 19 July 2010. "...as a Lakers insider notes, it was Bryant's insistence on getting away from Shaquille O'Neal that got them in this mess." 
101. ^ May, Peter (March 27, 2008). "O'Neal casts his MVP vote - and it's a big no". Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/03/27/oneal_casts_his_mvp_vote___and_its_a_big_no/. Retrieved 31 October 2011. 
102. ^ Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq's rap "Kobe, Tell me how my ass taste". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc6YHt80KGI. 
103. ^ Abrams, Jonathan (24 June 2008). "Kobe gets rapped by Shaq". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/24/sports/sp-shaq24. Retrieved 19 July 2010. "Here's another snippet of what he said Sunday, in which he suggests Bryant's comments were a factor in O'Neal's separating from his wife, Shaunie." 
104. ^ Abrams, Jonathan (29 June 2008). "Bryant won't discuss O'Neal". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/29/sports/sp-usahoops29. Retrieved 28 July 2010. ""I didn't take it any kind of way whatsoever," Bryant said Saturday, before declining to take any more questions on the topic." 
105. ^ "Shaq takes a freestyle swipe at Kobe". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 23 June 2008. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=3458056. Retrieved 28 July 2010. ""I was freestyling. That's all. It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever," O'Neal told ESPN.com Monday. "That is what MC's do. They freestyle when called upon. I'm totally cool with Kobe. No issue at all."" 
106. ^ Reid, Shaheem (24 June 2008). "Snoop Dogg, Nas, Cory Gunz See Nothing Wrong With Shaquille O'Neal's Anti-Kobe Freestyle". MTV.com. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1589908/20080624/id_0.jhtml. Retrieved 28 July 2010. "Both of them is rappers; they tried rapping before. They know ain't no rules when it comes to rapping. Shaq has all access and the right to do and say what he wants to say in fun, in the spirit of rap" 
107. ^ Adande, J.A. (21 November 2008). "Shaq and Kobe: All Grown-Up". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-081121. Retrieved 28 July 2010. "Jackson was in the midst of answering a stream of Shaq-related questions in his pregame media session when O'Neal himself emerged from the Suns' practice court, stepped through the reporters and gave Jackson a hug and a kiss on the cheek." 
108. ^ "Shaq: 'I always did love Kobe'". ESPN.com. 31 January 2009. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3873700. Retrieved 28 July 2010. "Shaquille O'Neal, the newly minted All-Star for the Western Conference, has claimed Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson as new allies, saying the longtime rivalry between himself and the Lakers forward was simply a marketing gimmick." 
109. ^ Garcia, Art (February 16, 2009). "Shaq, Kobe lead freestyling West All-Stars past East". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. http://www.nba.com/2009/allstar2009/02/16/main.20090215/index.html. Retrieved June 15, 2009. 
110. ^ Adelson, Andrea (3 November 2009). "Shaq tweets: “i want kobe bryant to get number 4″". orlandosentinel.com. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2009/06/shaq-tweets-i-want-kobe-bryant-to-get-number-4.html. Retrieved 28 July 2010. "THE_REAL_SHAQ: thats right i am saying it today and today only, i want kobe bryant to get number 4, spread da word" 
111. ^ Heisler, Mark (18 June 2010). "Kobe Bryant comes clean about the pressure". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-heisler-lakers-20100618,0,5507283.column. Retrieved 17 July 2010. 
112. ^ Shaquille O'Neal, Status 16451373959: 'Congratulations Kobe,' Twitter, June 17, 2010.
113. ^ Washburn, Gary (September 19, 2010). "Grousbeck’s faith goes right down to the core". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/09/19/grousbecks_faith_goes_right_down_to_the_core/?page=full. Retrieved October 14, 2010. ""The minute I heard Kobe [Bryant] say he had one more ring than Shaq, I said to Danny, ‘Let’s go get Shaq,’ and it happened," said Grousbeck." 
114. ^ Simmons, Bill (20 August 2010). "A few theories to chew on". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/100820. Retrieved 24 August 2010. "My theory: I think Kobe's postgame routine got back to Shaq. I think it pissed him off. I think it got his competitive juices flowing for the first time in years. I think he realized Boston was his best chance to tie Kobe at five." 
115. ^ MacMullan, Jackie (September 27, 2010). "Shaq ready to leave mark in Boston". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/columns/story?columnist=macmullan_jackie&id=5620537. Retrieved October 14, 2010. "But I don't compete with little guards. I don't compete with little guys who run around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a night – like D-Wade, Kobe." 
116. ^ "Shaq announces retirement on web". ESPN.com. June 1, 2011. http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6615886. Retrieved June 1, 2011. 
117. ^ Olivarez-Giles, Nathan (June 1, 2011). "Shaq announces NBA retirement on Twitter, using Tout iPhone app". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 1, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5z85LOKUn. 
118. ^ Reynolds, Tim (June 3, 2011). "Shaq moving on to the next chapter—retirement". Yahoo! Sports. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ajvk5YYrwHEHSQW8rvffiEK8vLYF?slug=ap-shaqretires. Retrieved June 3, 2011. 
119. ^ ^{a b} Adande, J. A. (June 3, 2011). "Shaquille always did things his own way". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=shaqkobe-110603. Retrieved June 4, 2011. 
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