Shaquille OโNeal and Kobe Bryant won three consecutive championships together with the Los Angeles Lakers, but their constant disagreements eventually led to a split. OโNeal was traded to the Miami Heat, where he went on to win his fourth championship.
In a recent appearance on The OGs Podcast, Shaquille OโNeal shared stories from his past, including his drive to outdo Kobe Bryant after their separation. He also talked about his promise to Dwyane Wade, vowing to help him win a championship without needing to be the teamโs leader.
OโNeal opened up about the close bond and strong on-court chemistry he shared with Wade, especially during the NBA Finals. He encouraged Wade to ignore past negativity and focus on winning. Shaqโs commitment was so strong that he even took a pay cut to help bring a championship to Miami.
When I came to Miami, I said look you heard a lot of sh** about me that ain’t going to happen with me again, this ain’t going to happen with me and you (Dwyane Wade).
Shaquille OโNeal via The OGs podcast
After leaving the Lakers, Shaquille OโNeal admitted that he became a โcertified ring chaser,โ with his main goal being to win another championship before Kobe Bryant to gain the upper hand in their rivalry. While Shaq remained a dominant force with the Miami Heat, the Dallas Mavericks were able to contain him in the 2006 NBA Finals. It was Dwyane Wade who stepped up with stellar performances throughout the series, ultimately leading the Heat to their championship victory.
Shaq ultimately wrapped up his career with four championships, solidifying his position in NBA history as one of the best centers. Despite their messy break up, many still consider OโNeal and Bryant one of the best duos of this century.
Kobe Bryant eventually went on to win two more championships after Shaquille OโNealโs departure from the Lakers
In the early 2000s, the Lakers were considered one of the best teams in the NBA, led by a dominant Shaquille OโNeal and a young Kobe Bryant. With their combined talent, the Lakers had a relatively smooth path to multiple championships. However, after OโNealโs departure, the team struggled and slipped into mediocrity.
Despite this, Kobe Bryant, in his prime, emerged as the leagueโs most lethal scorer. Unfortunately, the Lakersโ supporting cast was weak, leaving Bryant to carry the team almost single-handedly throughout the season.
But once the team added Paul Gasol, Bryantโs path to the championship became a bit easier. In 2009 and 2010, the Lakers were in the NBA finals and managed to win the NBA championship.
Eventually Bryant added two more championships in his resume. Even in the press conference after the finals, Bryant hilariously mocked OโNeal by stating he one above OโNeal in championship count. Eventually both Bryant and OโNeal sorted their beef and even had a 1-on-1 interview with each other through ESPN.