Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant formed a cut-throat duo together. They spearheaded multiple historic championship runs for a franchise that was accustomed to stockpiling championships well before their emergence. Shaq’s sheer power and dominance, paired with Bryant’s unearthly talents, led to them gilding the city of Los Angeles.

From 2000 to 2002, they won three straight NBA championships while enthralling spectators with their synergy. However, all good things eventually come to an end, and their formidable tandem did as well. A disappointing loss in the 2004 NBA Finals to the Detroit Pistons in five games was the last time the two ever played together as teammates.

The Detroit Pistons’ in-your-face defense proved too much for the Los Angeles Lakers, who were looking to win their fourth title in five years. The Lakers brought in multiple reinforcements over the previous offseason, but it did not bear any fruit.

Talking with Shaquille O’Neal after Game 5 of the 2004 NBA Finals, renowned journalist Roy Firestone asked about the big man’s disappointment. The conversation then shifted to Kobe Bryant, with Shaq’s comments regarding his teammate leaving Firestone stunned.

Shaquille O’Neal stunned Roy Firestone with his comments on Kobe Bryant

Roy Firestone once came on as a guest on The Dan Patrick Show. There he expressed how it’s the worst thing ever to interview an athlete after they’ve just lost. He further explained that he had to interview Shaquille O’Neal following the Lakers’ game five loss to the Detroit Pistons.

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As per Firestone, he told Shaq that ESPN wanted him to ask the big man about his emotional state following the NBA Finals. Shaq went on to say that he was pissed. Firestone then hilariously asked Shaq, “How pissed off are you?” Hearing the question, Shaq said, “The highest level of pissidity.” 

Firestone went on to recount how he shifted the topic to Kobe Bryant and questioned Shaq about their contrasting personalities.“Shaq, you and Kobe are different personalities, how would you define,” Firestone said. What Shaq said next caught the journalist off guard. Firestone quoted Shaq, saying, “Well, Kobe is a loner, and me, I like to think of myself as a socialist.”

To this, Firestone replied, “Oh yea, like Karl Max is spinning in his grave right now.” 

Shaquille O’Neal is renowned for his outspokenness, and Roy Firestone would have expected an interesting response. He definitely didn’t anticipate that response from the Lakers icon, though.

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What do you think about Shaquille O’Neal’s comments on Kobe Bryant? Shower your thoughts in the comment section below.