A hub for iconic duos, the Los Angeles Lakers set the stage for yet another pairing for the ages. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal grew together to become ruthless winners. Leading the city of Los Angeles to three successive championships, this duo made cracks in the history books. Their partnership on the court was like poetry in motion. However, the same can’t be said for the relationship outside.

Bryant and Shaq were two very different personalities. The Mamba was determined to become the best. His work ethic became a legend, and the Lakers legend immortalized hard work. On the other hand, the Big Diesel asserted himself as one of the most destructive forces in the NBA. But his dedication to work went on a decline as championships crossed his path. The once unshakable duo became bitter rivals. A public feud ensued between the two Hall of Famers.

Years later, Shaquille O’Neal looked back on his bond with Kobe Bryant. However, this time he had a clearer vision. Comparing their partnership on the Lakers with that of the Beatles, the four-time champion focused on the glory times.

Shaquille O’Neal breaks down relationship with Kobe Bryant

The Beatles go down as arguably one of the greatest rock bands of all time. The best-selling music act of all time, the band sold over 1.6 billion records. However, no one could tell the tense relationship between the band. Notably, the fallout between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. After the break up of the iconic boy band, the two continued to take shots at one another through their songs. However, when together, they were able to captivate the world. And a single read about their fallout changed Shaq’s mindset completely.

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Focusing on the history that he created with Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal said: “I never knew that John Lennon and Paul McCartney had problems. I never knew that. They bumped heads all the time. But guess what, they are one of the greatest acts of all time. Shaq and Kobe had problems, but guess what, we are the most dominant Laker one-two punch, little man big guy ever.”

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Shaq and Kobe’s eventual break-up changed the course of history. A duo that had it all became victims of bitterness. The tension had set in long before as each took jabs at the other in media. Yet, their show on the hardwood was a work of art. The names of Shaq and Kobe to this day remain conjoined. While conversations about their potential ceiling keep arising, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant left behind a defining legacy.

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Their duo remains to be the last ones to ever achieve a three-peat in the NBA. The Big Diesel and the Black Mamba both would go on to win even without one another. However, it didn’t feel the same.