Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies are more than just the namesake’s way to channel his ‘big kid’ energy. Shaquille O’Neal celebrates some of the best memories of his career through it. While the regular version is shaped like Shaq’s big head, the sour version is a nod to his famous nicknames – Diesel, Big Cactus, and Big Shamrock. The pineapple Diesel is a special nod to – surprise, surprise – the Lakers. Big Diesel was in his prime during the eight years with the Los Angeles Lakers, still remains the last to three-peat, and formed one-half of an unforgettable on-court duo. But that duo faced its fair share of challenges.

While catching up with Entertainment Tonight at the official Shaq-A-Licious launch in Times Square, he was asked which is his favorite moment from his Lakers. His answer might surprise you.

“Arguing with Kobe [Bryant],” he told ET Online. “Sparring with Kobe and have everybody think we hate each other and then turn around and win three championships through it at all.” Yes, the Shaq & Kobe era of the Lakers was unforgettable for so many reasons apart from three championships.

They were incredibly dominant and supplied the thrill the LA crowd lived off. They were also infamous for the off-court drama. Shaquille O’Neal makes it sound like they were fake-feuding, but 20 years ago it left a bad taste in fans’ mouths.

The late GM, Jerry West, acquired Kobe Bryant straight out of high school through the 1996 draft and pulled a blockbuster move by signing Shaq from Orlando. Despite their age difference, both had identical personalities that butted heads more than West probably liked. In Shaq Uncut, O’Neal admitted that West was upset that Shaq subjected Bryant to rookie hazing.

There were also interviews where O’Neal called his young teammate “immature” in ten different ways. A teen Bryant appealed to young kids and it wasn’t a good look when Shaq trashed him. The partnership worked in the game until they lost in their fourth attempt together. Shaq left for Miami on a bitter note and the Lakers rebuilt around Bryant. But they made amends.

Shaquille O’Neal only keeps the good memories of Kobe Bryant

Ahead of the Shaq-A-Licious launch, O’Neal was on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. There he recalled the story behind the iconic picture of him piggybacking Bryant. That was during the 2000 NBA Finals. Bryant twisted his ankle and Shaq carried him into the arena to not strain him. They had those moments too but were overshadowed by their beef.

Even after they parted ways, Shaq and Kobe’s relationship was under the microscope. But the rare matchups as first time opponents and comments in interviews didn’t do what Shaq Diesel’s 2008 freestyle rap did. O’Neal dissed Kobe across a few bars which angered Lakers fans. Meanwhile, Bryant responded by winning two more titles without Shaq this time.

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Ahead of Bryant’s retirement, the former rivals sat face-to-face to interview each other. They called it a “work beef” which they squashed there. But after Bryant’s passing in 2020, O’Neal has repeatedly expressed regret for not reconciling with Kobe sooner. Now regardless, his era with Kobe is invaluable to Shaq.