It seems Shaquille O'Neal didn't take Kobe Bryant's recent comments about his work ethic lightly.
In an interview with Patrick Bet-David at the PHP Agency Convention in Las Vegas, Bryant said he would've won 12 rings if Shaq worked harder. O'Neal responded to this by saying they would've had more championships if Kobe passed the ball more:
"U wouldA had 12 if u passed the ball more especially in the finals against the Pistons."
Shaq's response to Kobe saying he would have 12 rings if Shaq was in the gym.
KOBE IN 2004 NBA FINALS
GM1: 10-27 FG
GM2: 14-27 FG
GM3: 4-13 FG
GM4: 8-25 FG
GM5: 7-21 FG https://t.co/sZJrwVbExD pic.twitter.com/2B9W1w4PLU— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 28, 2019
Jalen Rose added that Shaq isn't happy about the diss:
"Shaq is definitely upset about it."
—@JalenRose reacts to Kobe's comments on Shaq's work ethic pic.twitter.com/esabxUu69p
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) August 28, 2019
The Shaq-Kobe tandem is still regarded as one of the best superstar duos in NBA history. They won three championships together as part of the Lakers' dynasty during the turn of the century.
Unfortunately, it wasn't all about success between these two. Although they played extremely well together on the court, they had issues with each other during their stint with the Lakers. After their first championship in 2000, Shaq was reportedly out of shape when he showed up to the Lakers' training camp the following season. This didn't sit well with Kobe, who earned a reputation as one of the hardest-working players of all time.
But Bryant also had his flaws. During the Lakers' three-peat from 2000-2002, he was so eager to make the Purple and Gold his team he alienated the rest of the guys on the roster, including Shaq.
The Lakers' loss to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals was the final nail in the coffin of Shaq and Kobe's era in LA. O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat, where he would win a championship two years later. Meanwhile, Bryant stayed in LA, which eventually led to two more titles in 2009 and 2010.
Both superstars seemed to clear the air, but it seems they will always be haunted by the idea that they should've won more if they just kept their egos in check.
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