By: Debadrita Ghosh Image credit: NBA and Twitter.
On the morning of the 26th of January 2020, a shocking piece of news broke out leaving everyone in confusion. It was nothing other than Kobe Bryant’s death news due to a helicopter crash which led the entire world to suffer from a devastating tragedy.
The Los Angeles Lakers staged a memorial for the Lakers icon at the old Staples Center one month later. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and many other members of the basketball elite were present.
Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant played together for 8 seasons and they won 3 titles in 8 years. Even though their time together did not end well, they still had a great deal of love and respect for one another when they retired.
While giving a speech at Kobe Bryant’s memorial service, Shaq recalled the time when Kobe gained his respect. He said: “The day Kobe gained my respect was…. The guys were complaining. They said ‘Shaq Kobe’s not passing the ball.’”
He continued: “I said I’ll talk to him. I said ‘Kobe there’s no I in team,’ and Kobe said, ‘I know but there’s an M-E in that m*therf*cker….’”
As Shaq paused, the audience burst out laughing and Shaq also chuckled for a while. Shaq further said that after that he went back and told Rich Fox and Bob Horry, “Just get the rebound, he’s not passing it.”
After sharing such an incident about him and Kobe, Shaq lifted the spirits of the crowd who were mourning and also promised to teach his daughters all of Kobe’s moves on the court. He concluded by promising not to pass down Bryant's free throw technique.
O'Neal also talked about how their rivalry throughout the years brought out the best in each of their performances. He and Bryant fought publicly in the early 2000s, leading to O'Neal's 2005 transfer to the Miami Heat.
Here’s What Caused the Feud Between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal Check it out