Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant marks the two poles of one of the biggest and most storied teammate rivalries of all time. The two Los Angeles Lakers legends represented one of the most dangerous duos on the court, but they could never work out their relationship. It ended up spelling the end of what could have been an incredible dynasty.
In recent years, the feud appears to have subsided. The two have shown respect and admiration for each other, while even sharing some very public heart to hearts.
Water under the bridge, right? Well, maybe…
Kobe recently made some comments that Shaq isn’t be too happy about. Speaking with Patrick Bet-David, Kobe discusses how good of a player Shaq was, but how much better he would have been if he had more of a work ethic. While Kobe’s “Mamba Mentality” is nearly impossible to match, Kobe even goes so far as to say he wished Shaq were in the gym more so that he would have “12 rings”.
Warning: NSFW Language
Not sure if this is enough to spark the rivalry and war of words back up between the two, but it’s certainly an interesting development in the storied relationship.
Kobe went on to talk after some of the inner-workings of their relationship, explaining that he would choose to shoot after a missed Shaq free throw rather than get it to the big man. This, of course, didn’t sit well with Shaq.
Speaking of not sitting well with Shaq, the NBA on TNT face clapped right back at Kobe, explaining that his work ethic wasn’t the problem, it was Kobe’s lack of passing.
Maybe this will blow over, or maybe it’s the ire that been sitting on the tips of their tongues through the make-up years. Only time will tell, but there’s a little part of all of us that wants to see this rivalry fully reignite.
(H/T ballislife)
