NBA history has been dominated by many players, a pair or even a trio. Their teams were benefited from this dominance winning Championship titles in succession. Kobe Bryant – Shaquille O’Neal was one such pair who defined the early 2000’s in NBA.

While speaking on “The Big Podcast with Shaq, O’Neal recalled his Lakers days with the legendary Kobe Bryant. He said, “I could have won 8-9 Championships with that man, instead we arguing about whose team it is.”

Los Angeles Lakers won 3 championships from 2000-to 2002 and lost the 2004 Finals against the Pistons with the Bryant-Shaq pairing. But personal issues and internal power struggles are said to have broken the pair, which resulted in Shaq’s trade to Miami.

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Shaq said he was regularly reminded about his role in the team. “Shaq, you’re the man, this is your team! But what the f**k does all that mean” Shaq recalled. He now believes in playing more as a team. He said he told players to play for each other rather than “useless” titles.

“When all said and done, you don’t wanna go back and say it to yourself I wish I could have” he reminded players of the consequences of not playing as a team.

Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant’s dominance

Paired up in 1996, when rookie Kobe was traded in from the Hornets and Dominant Shaq from free agency, the Lakers had their potent pair to challenge for the Championship. It was Phil Jackson’s addition in the 1999 season as a head coach that turned the tables for the Lakers.

The team played more like a team and prime Shaq started to dominate the area of the rim again. 4 year-pro and talented Kobe Bryant made his impact on the games, winning 1st of three titles in 2000. Shaq was Finals MVP with 29 points and 14 rebounds per game.

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The form and dominance continued for the next 2 seasons as the Lakers were the team to fear with athletic Kobe and powerful Shaq as core and a highly talented support cast of Robert Horry, and Derek Fischer provided useful contributions.

Lakers won the Championship in 2001 and 2002 again, and Shaquille O’Neal was Finals MVP on both occasions. But the team chemistry started to crumble as many casted doubts on the leader of the team. Kobe was not far from the elite plays but experienced Shaq with 3 Finals MVP trophies believed he’s the leader.

The feud continued causing them a 2003 semi’s loss against the eventual Champions Spurs. The contract negotiations, power-game within the team, leadership issues hampered the team, still, the talented Lakers made it into the 2004 NBA finals, but couldn’t contest against “team play” of the Pistons.

It ended Shaq’s Lakers’ days, and he was traded to the Miami Heat in the 2005 offseason.

The Potentials of Shaq-Kobe Pairing

Shaq commented that they could have won 8-9 championships if they had stayed together in a team. Well, they had the powerful team centered on their Champion pairing. They reached the 2004 finals despite the controversies and the weak apart team chemistry, which signifies the greatness of the two.

Shaq went on to win 1 more Championship with the Heat in 2006 with Dwayne Wade, while Kobe led Lakers back-to-back titles in the 2009-10 seasons. He was finals MVP in both those runs.

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