Article
Atlas
Videos
Sports
Popular
pet world
Funny
"You didn't respect people that you could bully": Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal fondly remembered their first practice together
01/03/2023

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are arguably the best one-two punch in the history of the NBA

‘The Big Diesel’ was selected as the 1st overall pick back in the 1992 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic.

After spending four years with the team and establishing himself as one of the best players in the league, O’Neal signed as a free agent with the in 1996 – a career defining move.

He was recruited by none other than Lakers GM Jerry West who was a big fan of Shaq’s game. Prior to getting O’Neal to sign with the Lakers, West had his eyes on a 17-year old basketball player who he believed would be the future of the franchise – ‘The Black Mamba’ .

Bryant was selected as the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets but was immediately traded to the Lakers in exchange for their starting center Vlade Divac.

This would in turn free up salary cap space to sign Shaquille O’Neal thus pairing two players that would go on to dominate the league in the years to come and win multiple championships together.

Unfortunately, things would take a turn for the worse during the duo’s last year together in which they simply did not get along and the news of their beef became the talk of the town.

O’Neal was eventually traded to the Miami Heat and Bryant re-signed with the Lakers.

In 2018, Shaq and Kobe sat down for a 1-on-1 interview in which they fondly remembered their playing days

It was great seeing the two former teammates and buddies chatting with one another, laughing and remembering the good old days.

Kobe recalled their first practice in which the Lakers had a player on their roster named Travis Knight who was also a rookie. “annihilate this kid and you know just from everything from talking trash to him to you know he was afraid to get on the bus”, Kobe told Shaq.

“One thing I noticed about you from the jump was that you didn’t respect people that you could bully”. 

It’s no secret that Shaq and Kobe were the two of the most intense superstars to ever step foot on a basketball court.

“I like to mind my business, but it just looks really bad." — Shaquille O’Neal is not a fan of Larsa Pippen’s relationship with Michael Jordan’s son Marcus
02/12/2022
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Rages On Will Smith After Slapping Chris Rock On Oscar 2022
13/04/2022
“Dennis Rodman, I Don’t Want You to Die”: With an $850,000 Debt, Phil Jackson Worried for the Worm’s Life
08/12/2022
Dwayne Johnson Reacts To Kevin Hart’s Car Crash
15/04/2022
Shaquille O’Neal, Despite Beating Patrick Ewing 15 Times, Cried On National TV Over Knicks Legend Being Disrespected
08/12/2022
Tyrese GOES OFF on The Rock AGAIN,said "Rock Can't Afford Christmas Gifts" then Breaks down CRYING after threatening to quit 'Fast & Furious'
11/05/2022
'Sexist' Shaquille O’Neal, Who Paid Shaunie O'Neal $300,000 to Not Work, Claims Nobody In the WNBA Could Beat Him 1-on-1
06/12/2022
Kevin Hart Sides With Tyrese Clowns The Rock For Breaking Up Fast & Furious Family
09/05/2022
"Larry Bird Can't Jump and He's Not Quick!": When Michael Jordan Paid Celtics Legend the Highest Respect in 1987
03/01/2023
Camilla Ludington Shares Stories About 'Grey's Anatomy' And Her Baby Daughter
16/06/2022
Atlas
Article
Videos