Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal together formed one of the deadliest duos in the league’s history. During their time together, the Lakers tandem decimated opponents nightly and made it a tradition to stockpile championships. Shaq’s brute strength combined with Kobe’s otherworldly offensive skill set equipped them with all the weaponry they needed to find success.

Their tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers was not without its ups and downs. However, adversity, challenges, and tribulations are certainly what shape robust relationships. Off the court, the two spoke several times to clear the air and resolve everything, since that’s what they wanted in the end. And over time, the two formed an unshakable deep friendship.

Kobe Bryant was once on “The Big Podcast” with Shaq in 2015. They took the opportunity to reflect on their wonderful days as teammates and how much more they could have accomplished.

During their eight seasons together, they won three NBA titles. Kobe had hit his prime during their final years together. So one may imagine how things would be if everything went smoothly.

Mamba, however, used an interesting analogy to portray his relationship with Shaq, implying that everything that transpired was for the best.

Kobe Bryant characterized his relationship with Shaquille O’Neal using a unique analogy

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were as authentic as it gets. They had conflicts, but what made them interesting was that they said everything to each other’s faces. They didn’t talk smack about each other behind one other’s backs.

READ MORE: “Kobe Just Pulled Up”: Kobe Bryant’s Presence Caused Rift Between Michael Phelps and His Mother Once

On ta podcast, the two discussed what caused their separation. Shaq talked about how the business side of things kicked in and how the franchise wanted to take a new path. Kobe said, “It is what it is.” 

This is when he decided to slide in his analogy. Kobe said, “Philosophically, could you imagine how many years Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain would be playing together with Wilt in his prime, and Michael wanting to come up and wanting to play, and come up?”

“That’s a good analogy,” Shaq replied.

Kobe compared his tenure with Shaq to a hypothetical situation in which Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan were teammates. Wilt represents Shaq’s situation, in which he is in his prime and the team’s star, whereas Jordan symbolizes Kobe’s situation, in which he wishes to emerge from the shadow of his teammate.

As one might expect, being the sidekick would not have been a pleasant situation for Jordan. And the case with Kobe would have been similar, given his and his idol’s desire to be the greatest at what they do.

WATCH THIS STORY: Does Klay Thompson have a girlfriend? 

As a result, Kobe Bryant’s analogy accurately mirrored his relationship with Shaquille O’Neal as teammates.