Kobe Bryant vs Shaquille O'Neal
The rivalry that defined a Lakers dynasty.
The Shaq–Kobe feud was the conflict between National Basketball Association (NBA) players Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996–2004. O'Neal and Bryant won three consecutive NBA championships (2000, 2001, 2002), and appeared in the 2004 NBA Finals. O'Neal was the NBA Finals MVP in each of their victories. After years of arguments over their roles on the Lakers, a trade sent O'Neal to the Miami Heat while Bryant was re-signed as a free agent.
Quick Facts
- Team
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Championships together
- 3 (2000, 2001, 2002)
- Status
- Retired; Reconciled
- Dynamic
- Mentor turned Rivals
- Notable achievement
- Three-peat Dynasty
Lore & Background
The feud originated in their first three seasons (1996–1999). Bryant kept teammates at a distance, and O'Neal was wary of Bryant's confidence. O'Neal called Bryant 'showboat' for his flashy moves. In 1998, O'Neal slapped Bryant during a two-on-two game. During the 1998–99 season, O'Neal pointed at Bryant and told reporters, 'There's the problem.' Under coach Phil Jackson, the duo won three straight titles, but tension persisted. In one team meeting, O'Neal said, 'I think Kobe is playing too selfishly for us to win.' Assistant coach Tex Winter said he was stunned by the level of hatred O'Neal expressed toward Bryant.
Reader's Guide
The Lakers' playoff games are described as follows: 2000 Western Conference Finals Game 7 (89–84 win), 2000 NBA Finals (won in six games, with scores including 116–111 in Game 6). No other specific point totals are given.
Did You Know?
- In a 2000 playoff game, Bryant threw an alley-oop pass to O'Neal for a one-handed slam dunk.
- Lakers head coach Phil Jackson wrote a 2004 book, 'The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul,' about their final season together.
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