View source for Shaq–Kobe feud

{{short description|National Basketball Association rivalry between two superstar players}}
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| footer = [[Shaquille O'Neal]] (left) and [[Kobe Bryant]] helped the Lakers win three straight NBA titles. Though they played well together on the court, the pair had an acrimonious relationship at times in the locker room.<ref>Lazenby, pp. 378–9, 399–400, 428–9.</ref>
| image1 = Lipofsky Shaquille O'Neal.jpg
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The '''Shaq–Kobe feud''' was the conflict between [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) players [[Shaquille O'Neal]] and [[Kobe Bryant]], who played together for the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] from 1996–2004.

O'Neal and Bryant won three consecutive [[NBA championships]] ([[2000 NBA Finals|2000]], [[2001 NBA Finals|2001]], [[2002 NBA Finals|2002]]), and made an additional NBA Finals appearance in [[2004 NBA Finals|2004]]. O'Neal was the [[NBA Finals MVP]] in each of their victories. Personal differences and arguments over their respective roles on the Lakers were followed by a trade that sent O'Neal to the [[Miami Heat]] while Bryant was re-signed as a [[free agent]] by the Lakers. Lakers head coach [[Phil Jackson]] wrote a 2004 book, ''[[The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul]]'', reflecting on the troubles Bryant and O'Neal had during their last season together.

==Origins: 1996–1999==
===1996–1997===
[[File:Jerry West LA.jpg|thumb|upright|General manager [[Jerry West]] brought O'Neal and Bryant to the Lakers in 1996.]]
In [[1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season|1996]], the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) acquired the draft rights to high school player [[Kobe Bryant]] from the [[Charlotte Hornets]] by trading established [[center (basketball)|center]] [[Vlade Divac]].<ref>{{cite news
 |title      = Kobe Bryant was once a Charlotte Hornet, for 13 days
 |first      = Ron
 |last       = Green Jr
 |url        = http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/03/05/1289903/passing-on-kobe.html
 |newspaper  = Charlotte Observer
 |date       = March 5, 2010
 |access-date = July 17, 2010
 |quote      = West knew no NBA team had drafted a backcourt player straight out of high school ...
}} {{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> No NBA team had previously drafted a guard straight from high school.<ref name=lakers_history>{{cite web
| url         = http://www.nba.com/lakers/history/lakers_history_new.html
| title       = History of the Lakers
| website = [[NBA.com]]
| quote       = The arrival of Shaquille O'Neal necessitated the trading of longtime center Vlade Divac, and the trading or renouncement of several other veterans
| access-date  = July 17, 2010}}</ref> After freeing up salary by parting with other veteran players, they signed free agent All-Star [[center (basketball)|center]] [[Shaquille O'Neal]] later that year. The two sparred in their first three seasons playing together from 1996–1999.<ref name=slate>{{cite web
| url         = http://www.slate.com/id/109243/
| title       = Los Angeles Lakers: Why the NBA's unbeatable team will collapse (but not this month)
| first       = David
| last        = Plotz
| author-link  = David Plotz
| date        = June 1, 2001
| publisher   = The Washington Post Company
| quote       = Nothing in either man's character suggests he will be satisfied playing second banana.
| access-date  = July 17, 2010}}</ref> Bryant kept his teammates at a distance, answering non-basketball questions with one- or two-word responses. O'Neal told the Lakers when Bryant arrived, "I'm not gonna be babysitting."<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.323</ref> Bryant had extreme confidence in his ability, which was unusual for an 18-year-old, but some teammates interpreted his confidence as arrogance.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.324</ref> O'Neal was wary of Bryant, as a rookie, boasting that he would lead the Lakers in scoring and be the best player in the NBA.<ref>{{cite book |last1=O'Neal |first1=Shaquille |last2=MacMullan |first2=Jackie |title=Shaq Uncut: My Story |pages=[https://archive.org/details/shaquncutmystory00onea_0/page/123 123–124] |year=2011 |publisher=Grand Central Publishing |isbn=978-1-4555-0441-1 |ref=oneal2011 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/shaquncutmystory00onea_0/page/123 }}</ref> Lakers general manager [[Jerry West]] criticized O'Neal's leadership for [[hazing]] Bryant that season.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.131</ref> While O'Neal's personality was good-humored, Bryant's demeanor was all-business and was interpreted by some teammates as selfishness.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.325</ref> O'Neal began calling Bryant ''showboat'' because of his flashy offensive moves.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.328</ref>

In an overtime playoff loss to the [[Utah Jazz]] that eliminated the Lakers, O'Neal [[foul (basketball)|fouled out]] with two minutes remaining in regulation. Lakers coach [[Del Harris]] designed the Laker offense around the rookie Bryant, who went on to shoot four [[air ball]]s. Harris explained that Bryant's one-on-one skills made him the best choice.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.332</ref> After the game, O'Neal put his arm around Bryant and told him there would be other opportunities.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.336–7</ref> West said the team's shortcoming made O'Neal angry since he was going to be judged by the team's success.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.335</ref>

===1997–1998===
In [[1997–98 Los Angeles Lakers season|1997]], Bryant was assigned by the Lakers to play in the [[NBA Summer League]] to improve as a team player and learn where to send the ball when he drew [[double team]]s.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.337</ref> The following season, he was voted as a starter in the [[1998 NBA All-Star Game|1998 All-Star Game]] though he was a reserve on the Lakers. The team struggled after the All-Star break, losing seven of their first twelve games, and Bryant had a stretch where he made only 30 of 100 shots. O'Neal wanted a championship immediately, and he did not want to wait for Bryant to mature as a player. Harris thought the NBA and its television broadcaster, [[NBC]], were overexposing Bryant and that he became more of a one-on-one player after the break.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.339–342</ref> Bryant's playing time became reduced. The Lakers were eliminated in the [[1998 NBA playoffs|1998 playoffs]] in the conference finals after they were swept by the Jazz, 4–0.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.345–7</ref>

===1998–1999===
In [[1998–99 Los Angeles Lakers season|1998]], the team's [[1998–99 NBA season|lockout-shortened 50-game season]] included the firing of Harris, the interim head coaching stint of [[Kurt Rambis]], and a brief period with [[Dennis Rodman]] as a player.<ref name=lakers_history/> During the lockout, O'Neal, Bryant, [[Derek Fisher]], and [[Corie Blount]] played a two-on-two basketball game. Bryant was always a physical player during practice, but other players, however, disliked his approach. Fisher said, "That was really the way we all should have been playing. With Kobe's spirit." During the game, O'Neal slapped Bryant. Fisher said neither O'Neal nor Bryant really started it, as they were both being physical.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.349</ref>

During the season, the Lakers blamed their problems on what they felt was Bryant's selfish play. At one point, O'Neal pointed at Bryant and told reporters in the locker room, "There's the problem."<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.350–1</ref> Bryant's jerseys were outselling O'Neal's in [[Southern California]] sporting goods stores, and rumors started that O'Neal was jealous, as he was with [[Penny Hardaway]] when they played together for the [[Orlando Magic]]. "That's far from the truth", said Fisher. "All Shaq wants to do is win."<ref name=lazenby2006_p351>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.351</ref> Asked if he helped Bryant through his growing pains, O'Neal said, "I try not to help guys out too much. [[Experience is the best teacher]] ... Kobe's a great player ... He's a new, up-and-coming kid."<ref name=lazenby2006_p351/>

O'Neal thought Rambis favored Bryant.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.132</ref> Rambis asked O'Neal, the veteran team leader, to heal the rift and talk to Bryant, to which O'Neal reportedly gave him a "blank, cold stare."<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.361</ref> The rift between O'Neal and Bryant continued into that year's NBA Playoffs. While the Lakers defeated the [[Houston Rockets]] in the first round of the playoffs, they were swept 4–0 by the [[San Antonio Spurs]] in the second round.<ref name=tribune_061499>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/06/14/jackson-set-to-sign-4-year-lakers-contract/
| title       = Jackson Set To Sign 4-year Lakers Contract
| first       = Terrence E.
| last        = Armour
| date        = June 14, 1999
| newspaper   = Chicago Tribune
| quote       = There also was a growing rift between O'Neal and Bryant, and it carried over into the playoffs.
| access-date  = July 28, 2010}}</ref>

==Three-peat: 2000–2002==
===1999–2000===
[[File:Phil Jackson 3 cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Coach [[Phil Jackson]]'s arrival led to three consecutive NBA championships for the duo.]]
During the [[1999–2000 Los Angeles Lakers season|1999]] offseason, West and Lakers owner [[Jerry Buss]] agreed to sign the then six-time NBA champion [[Phil Jackson]] to a five-year, $30 million contract to be the team's new head coach entering the [[1999–2000 NBA season|1999–2000 season]].<ref name=tribune_061499/><ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.363–6</ref><ref name="wharton_03032013">{{cite news |last=Wharton |first=David |date=March 3, 2013 |title=Lakers owner Jerry Buss brought 'Showtime' success to L.A. |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-me-jerry-buss-20130303,0,7605695,full.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811042935/http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-me-jerry-buss-20130303,0,7605695,full.story |archive-date=August 11, 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Buss was previously a believer in spending conservatively on coaches,<ref name=wharton_03032013/> but O'Neal and Bryant both encouraged West to hire Jackson.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.366</ref> Jackson decided to revolve the offense around O'Neal, who became responsible for distributing the ball.<ref name="ReferenceA">[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.378</ref> He also wanted better leadership, physical conditioning, and defense from O'Neal.<ref name="ReferenceB">[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.380</ref>

Jackson chose to develop a close relationship with O'Neal and not Bryant, calculating that O'Neal's personality craved such a relationship.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.379</ref> Bryant missed the season's first fifteen games due to a broken right wrist, allowing the Lakers to focus on O'Neal as Jackson had planned.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.378, 380</ref> The results of Jackson's hiring were promising, as the team amassed a 67–15 record ([[List of NBA teams by single season win percentage|one of the best records in league history]]). O'Neal led the league in scoring, averaging 29.7&nbsp;points per game, and he won his first [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/> During the playoffs, the Lakers fought off the eighth-seeded [[Sacramento Kings]] in five games, and then defeated the [[Phoenix Suns]] in the second round, four games to one.

It was in the 2000 Western Conference Finals that a defining moment of O'Neal and Bryant's on-court success together occurred. The Lakers were leading the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] three games to one, before dropping Game 5 at home and Game 6 in Portland. The Blazers were leading the decisive Game 7 by fifteen points early in the fourth quarter, putting the Lakers on the brink of elimination, before the Lakers mounted a 25–4 rally to take the lead. The comeback run culminated as Bryant drove the lane and threw an [[Alley-oop (basketball)|alley-oop]] pass to O'Neal for a one-handed [[slam dunk]] after which O'Neal ran upcourt with his mouth agape and both index fingers waving.<ref>{{cite web
| url         = https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/7507/top-10-lakers-playoffs-moments-kobe-to-shaq-cements-game-7-comeback-against-portland
| title       = Top 10 Lakers playoffs moments: Kobe-to-Shaq cements Game 7 comeback against Portland
| first1       = Andy
| last1        = Kamenetzky
| first2      = Brian
| last2       = Kamenetzky
| date        = May 27, 2010
| work        = ESPN.com
| quote       = Kobe drives the lane as Shaq drifts towards the basket while signaling for a lob. The alley oop goes up. O'Neal stuffs it down one-handed, then races upcourt, mouth agape, two index fingers out in salute of everyone in his sight line.
| access-date  = August 25, 2010}}</ref>  Bryant extended his hand to O'Neal for a [[high five]], but O'Neal in his celebration did not notice.<ref>{{cite web
| url         = https://www.espn.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/6459/kobe-bryant-vs-shaquille-o-neal-where-amazingly-sad-happens
| title       = Kobe Bryant vs. Shaquille O'Neal: Where Amazingly Sad Happens
| work        = ESPN.com
| date        = May 27, 2010
| access-date  = August 25, 2010
| quote       = O'Neal throws it down and the camera follows him as he heads down the court yelling in celebration, totally blowing right past Kobe, who has his hand out to high-five Shaq. Kobe half-heartedly grabs at O'Neal's forearm as he passes; Shaq doesn't even notice.}}</ref>
The Lakers won the game 89–84, and the [[Comeback (sports)#Post-season|13 point comeback]] after three quarters was the most in a Game 7 in the NBA playoffs.  O'Neal had 18 points and 9 rebounds, and Bryant had 25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocked shots.<ref>{{cite news
| url         = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2000/playoffs/news/2000/06/04/blazers_lakers_ap/
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120702215213/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2000/playoffs/news/2000/06/04/blazers_lakers_ap/
| url-status  = dead
| archive-date = July 2, 2012
| title       = Dreadful drought: Blazers' dry spell allows Lakers to take Game 7
| date        = June 5, 2000
| work        = CNNSI.com
| agency      = Associated Press
| quote       = Before Sunday, the biggest comeback in a Game 7 was a mere six points.
| access-date  = August 25, 2010}}</ref> The two players complimented each other on the alley-oop play after the game, and assistant coach [[Tex Winter]] thought they came to respect each other.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.387–8</ref>

The Lakers went on to defeat the [[Indiana Pacers]] in six games and won their [[2000 NBA Finals|first NBA championship]] since 1988.<ref name=lakers_history/> The Lakers led the series 2–0 behind O'Neal's dominating presence. The Lakers lost Game 3, which Bryant missed with an ankle injury. After O'Neal fouled out in overtime of Game 4, Jackson spread the floor and had Bryant take over the offense and lead the team to victory. Leading 110–109 with 1:32 remaining in Game 6, Jackson again spread the offense—even with O'Neal on the floor—and again allowed Bryant to take over; the Lakers won the game, 116–111, and the championship.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.389–91</ref> In the ensuing celebration, Bryant was the first person to embrace O'Neal.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.135</ref>

The season was not without confrontation, as O'Neal in one team meeting said, "I have something to say. I think Kobe is playing too selfishly for us to win."<ref>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/01/sports/pro-basketball-notebook-bryant-feels-like-a-square-in-lakers-triangle-offense.html
| title       = PRO BASKETBALL: NOTEBOOK; Bryant Feels Like a Square In Lakers' Triangle Offense
| last        = Wise
| first       = Mike
| author-link  = Mike Wise (American columnist)
| newspaper   = The New York Times
| date        = April 1, 2001
| access-date  = July 28, 2010
| quote       = In one passage, Jackson quotes O'Neal at a team meeting last season: "I have something to say. I think Kobe is playing too selfishly for us to win."}}</ref> O'Neal felt pressure to be leader of the team and was upset with Bryant's shot selection. Teammate [[Ron Harper]] helped mediate the differences between O'Neal and Bryant.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.140</ref> According to Jackson, "Kobe didn't have a selfish agenda; he just felt that the way he had been playing was the best way he could contribute. Gradually, he's seen there is a different way to contribute that incorporates more of the team."<ref>{{cite news
| url         = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1019019/1/index.htm
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130119130849/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1019019/1/index.htm
| url-status  = dead
| archive-date = January 19, 2013
| title       = Boy II Man: Erstwhile teen hot dog Kobe Bryant has grown into a consummate team player, which is a big reason the Lakers are huge favorites to win the NBA title
| last        = Taylor
| first       = Phil
| work        = SI.com
| publisher   = CNN
| date        = April 24, 2000
| access-date  = August 19, 2010
| quote       = Kobe didn't have a selfish agenda; he just felt that the way he had been playing was the best way he could contribute.}}</ref> Upon arriving at the Lakers that season, Winter said he was stunned to discover the level of hatred O'Neal expressed toward Bryant. "There was a lot of hatred in [O'Neal's] heart ... Kobe just took it and kept going." O'Neal regularly expressed to management that he did not believe the team could win a championship with Bryant. Winter observed that O'Neal influenced the entire team against Bryant.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.378–9</ref> Winter thought that Bryant made it a point to get the ball to O'Neal that year, but O'Neal did not appreciate what Bryant was doing to help him.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> During [[2000 NBA All-Star Game|that season's All-Star Game]], Bryant did not participate in the [[Slam Dunk Contest]] and a matchup against [[Vince Carter]], following Jackson's request to pass on individual accomplishments to keep the focus on the team. During All-Star warm-ups, O'Neal mimicked Bryant's [[crossover dribble]] but threw the ball into the stands to accentuate Bryant's turnovers.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.383</ref> O'Neal said it was an [[inside joke]] between Kobe and him.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.146</ref> Jackson and Winter relied on the [[triangle offense]] to heal the relationship between O'Neal and Bryant. The coaches believed that the offense was so structured to smooth over the relationship between the two players on the court. The coaches also told the team they did not see the selfishness in Bryant that the players saw. Winter even put together a video for O'Neal to show that Bryant was playing his role correctly.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.379–80</ref>

===2000–2001===
[[File:Derek Fisher.jpg|right|thumb|160px|Losing [[Derek Fisher]] to injury affected the chemistry between O'Neal and Bryant in 2000–01.]]
In [[2000–01 Los Angeles Lakers season|2001]], the Lakers won the title again; however, O'Neal and Bryant began feuding during the season. O'Neal came into training camp out of shape, which disappointed Jackson and also Bryant, who worked hard over the offseason to improve his game. Bryant was leading the league in scoring as 2001 began, and Jackson said Bryant was playing the best ball of his career. O'Neal was shooting below 50 percent during stretches, and his free throw shooting was in the 20 percent range.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.398–9</ref> O'Neal said of the Lakers in January, "When it was clear that everything went through me, the outcome of it was (a record of) 67–15, playing with enthusiasm, the city jumping up and down and a parade. And now we're 23–11. You figure it out ... I don't know why anybody else would want to change – other than selfish reasons."<ref name=sfchron_01142001>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Shaq-Kobe-Feud-Threatens-Lakers-Reign-2964921.php
| title       = Shaq–Kobe Feud Threatens Lakers' Reign
| last        = Ortiz
| first       = Jorge L.
| newspaper   = San Francisco Chronicle
| date        = January 14, 2001
| access-date  = July 29, 2010
| quote       = "When it was clear that everything went through me, the outcome of it was (a record of) 67–15, playing with enthusiasm, the city jumping up and down and a parade. And now we're 23–11. You figure it out", O'Neal said. "We did it last year; it worked out to the city's and to the organization's favor. So, I don't know why anybody else would want to change – other than selfish reasons."}}</ref> Bryant responded that it was a different year and the roster had undergone some changes and "things change, things evolve, and you just have to grow with that change."<ref name=sfchron_01142001/> Lakers assistant coach [[Bill Bertka]] said a key factor was the team's defense after losing Fisher for most of the season.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.398</ref> O'Neal requested a trade after a blowout win against the [[Phoenix Suns]] where Bryant scored 38 and O'Neal scored 18.<ref name=sfchron_01142001/> Jackson commented that their actions were "juvenile" and they should appreciate each other and play as a team.<ref name=sfchron_01142001/> Bryant was criticized for forcing his offense and not involving his teammates enough.<ref name=usa_today_05082002>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/basketba/2002-05-08-bryant.htm
| title       = Bryant continues to hold court
| last        = Moore
| first       = David Leon
| newspaper   = USA Today
| date        = May 8, 2002
| access-date  = July 28, 2010
| quote       = Last season, however, Bryant's tendency to force his offense and ignore his teammates caused a potentially serious rift between him and O'Neal"}}</ref> Even O'Neal's stepfather was overheard yelling at Bryant to pass the ball during a game.<ref name=press_ent_03222001>{{cite news
 |url        = http://www.press-enterprise.com/newsarchive/2001/03/22/985245967.html
 |title      = Jackson, Bryant not on same page
 |last       = Turner
 |first      = Broderick
 |newspaper  = The Press-Enterprise
 |date       = March 22, 2001
 |access-date = July 28, 2010
 |quote      = O'Neal's step-father, Phil Harrison, was overhead yelling at Bryant during Sunday's game in Orlando, telling the guard to pass the ball. O'Neal said he didn't know if it was true.
}} {{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Bryant told Jackson that the "(triangle) offense is so simple. It doesn't display my talent ... it doesn't give me what I have to have for my game."<ref name=press_ent_03222001/> According to Bryant, the team's defense was the problem and not his increased role in the offense.<ref name=nyyime_01112001>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/11/sports/pro-basketball-tension-between-o-neal-and-bryant-is-rising-every-day.html?pagewanted=1
| title       = PRO BASKETBALL; Tension Between O'Neal and Bryant Is Rising Every Day
| last        = Wise
| first       = Mike
| author-link  = Mike Wise (American columnist)
| newspaper   = The New York Times
| date        = January 11, 2001
| access-date  = August 5, 2010
| quote       =  Asked to interpret O'Neal comments, he replied: "All we ask from Shaq is to be the dominant presence that he is and play solid defense. That's it. Scoring shouldn't affect his defense."}}</ref>  Bryant said that "scoring shouldn't affect (O'Neal's) defense", while O'Neal maintained that "if the big dog ain't me, then the house won't get guarded – period."<ref name=nyyime_01112001/> Due to O'Neal's sensitivity toward criticism, Jackson overlooked O'Neal's shortcomings while maintaining his criticism of Bryant.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.399</ref> West told O'Neal that he also had personal rivalries when he played with all-time greats [[Wilt Chamberlain]] and [[Elgin Baylor]], but O'Neal needed to "stop being a baby ... put the team's success first."<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.401</ref>

[[Magic Johnson]] later noticed a change in O'Neal: "Shaq is saying 'It's me. I'm the one who has to get into shape, I'm the one who has to be ready for the second half run. I'm the one who has to close the middle down like I did last year.' ... He's not blaming everybody else."<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.402</ref> Fisher returned on March 13, upgrading the team's defense. The Lakers won their last eight games to finish the regular season with 56 wins. O'Neal averaged 33.7 points over the final 11 games. Bryant, upon returning from an injury, was willing to build off of O'Neal now that the center was in shape and playing defense.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.402–3</ref> Bryant played unselfishly in the playoffs.<ref name=usa_today_05082002/> O'Neal referred to Bryant as "[his] idol" and "the best player in the league, by far" following a victory in Game 1 of that year's Western Conference Finals.<ref>{{cite web
| url         = http://www.nba.com/playoffs2001/finals/west/recap_lal_sas_010519.html
| title       = Kobe Seals Sweet 16
| work        = NBA.com
| date        = May 19, 2001
| access-date  = July 19, 2010
| quote       = ... I told Kobe that he was my idol ... I'm serious. He's playing phenomenal. I think he's the best player in the league, by far.}}</ref> The [[2001 NBA Finals|Lakers won the championship]] after a then-historic 15–1 postseason record. After the lone loss, which was in the opening game of the NBA Finals against the [[Philadelphia 76ers]], Jackson criticized O'Neal for his lack of defense.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.404</ref>  Before the following game, Lakers coach [[Phil Jackson]] growled at O'Neal, "Don't be afraid to block a shot!" after O'Neal failed to block a shot in Game 1. O'Neal finished Game 2 with 28 points, 20 rebounds, 9 assists and 8 blocks.<ref>{{cite news|last=Heisler |first=Mark |title=Phil Jackson's tenure produced the most success and fun we've ever seen |date=May 11, 2011 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2011-may-11-la-sp-heisler-lakers-20110512-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517052801/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/11/sports/la-sp-heisler-lakers-20110512 |archive-date=May 17, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2001–2002===
Not much was made public about the feud in the [[2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers season|2001–02 season]] as the team was set back by injuries, personal tragedies, and national news. O'Neal missed training camp due to surgery on an arthritic toe. He chose not to undergo a more involved surgery that would have kept him out of action for a longer period of time.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.153</ref> Still, his toe bothered him throughout the season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Brown |first=Tim |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-aug-14-sp-shaq14-story.html |title=O'Neal Surgery Is Likely |date=August 14, 2002 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209005657/http://articles.latimes.com/print/2002/aug/14/sports/sp-shaq14 |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson also missed most of camp due to the death of his 94-year-old mother, and Bryant returned to Philadelphia to bury his grandfather. Combined with the [[September 11 attacks|September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center]], O'Neal said it would be hard for basketball players to be divided by pettiness.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.407</ref>

Despite the rocky season, the Lakers won their [[List of NBA franchise post-season streaks#NBA championships win streaks|third consecutive championship]], defeating the [[New Jersey Nets]] in the [[2002 NBA Finals|Finals]] by a 4–0 margin. It was the Lakers' first championship sweep in their history, and O'Neal won his third consecutive [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]].<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.410</ref> Bryant and O'Neal were complimentary of each other afterwards.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.154</ref>

==Final years as teammates: 2002–2004==
===2002–2003===
The [[2002–03 NBA season|2002–03 season]] began with the three-time defending champions getting off to one of their worst starts. The team was eight games under .500 at 11–19 with their return to the playoffs being questionable. O'Neal was sidelined with [[hallux rigidus]], a degenerative arthritic condition in his toe.<ref name=oneal2011_p155>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.155</ref> O'Neal could have had surgery on his toe early in the summer (which would have allowed him to return to playing sooner), but he decided to wait and have the surgery performed not long before the Lakers' pre-season [[training camp]] began. He said, "I got hurt on company time, so I’ll rehab on company time."<ref name=ventre_09302004>{{cite news|last=Ventre |first=Mark |title=Shaq Should Shut His Big Mouth |date=September 30, 2004 |work=NBCSports.com |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6064887/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906062219/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6064887/ |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |quote=Before the 2002–03 season, he waited until right before the season to get surgery on his toe. Later, he explained: "I got hurt on company time, so I’ll rehab on company time." |url-status=dead }}</ref> O'Neal debated whether to have a more invasive surgery that would have kept him out an additional three months, but he opted against the more involved procedure.<ref name=oneal2011_p155/> During the season, Bryant had a nine-game streak where he scored at least 40 points and a 13-game streak where he scored 35 or better. Still, the relationship between O'Neal and Bryant remained peaceful. Jackson ordered Bryant to be more aggressive.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.417–8</ref> The Lakers ended that season with the 5th seed in the Western Conference, failing to get home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. They defeated the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] in six games, but were eliminated by eventual champion [[San Antonio Spurs]] in the conference semifinals.

===2003–2004===
The subsequent off-season included accusations and then [[Kobe Bryant sexual assault case|charges of rape by Bryant]] in [[Colorado]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/07/18/kobe.bryant/ | work=CNN | title=Kobe Bryant charged with sexual assault | date=July 18, 2003}}</ref> On July 16, a little more than two weeks after the initial assault allegations, the Lakers announced the signings of veteran free agents and former All-Stars [[Karl Malone]] and [[Gary Payton]], who were recruited by O'Neal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/payton_malone_030716.html|title=Lakers Sign Free Agents Gary Payton and Karl Malone|date=July 16, 2003|access-date=April 20, 2011|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceC">[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.422</ref> After the signings, the Lakers were widely considered the favorite to win the NBA title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/04/sports/pro-basketball-with-bryant-absent-lakers-begin-practicing.html|title=Pro Basketball; With Bryant Absent, Lakers Begin Practicing|date=October 4, 2003|access-date=April 20, 2011|work=The New York Times|first=Mike|last=Wise}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/articles/2003/10/28/lakers_are_a_lock____for_turmoil/|title=Lakers are a lock – for turmoil|date=October 28, 2003|access-date=April 20, 2011|work=The Boston Globe|first=Peter|last=May}}</ref>

O'Neal said that the past comments made to the press by him and by Bryant were "almost like a game." They could handle it until the [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04 season]].<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.172</ref> Just prior to the season, Bryant privately warned Jackson, "If [O'Neal] starts saying [unreasonable] things in the press, I'll fire back ... I've had it."<ref>{{cite news
| url         = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/10/12/jackson/index.html
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041014014622/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/10/12/jackson/index.html
| url-status  = dead
| archive-date = October 14, 2004
| title       = Excerpt: Bryant's trial, attitude took toll on Jackson, Lakers
| work        = SI.com
| publisher   = CNN
| date        = October 12, 2004
| access-date  = August 2, 2010
| quote       = "I'm not going to take any s--- from Shaq[uille O'Neal] this year", Kobe blurted out. "If he starts saying things in the press, I'll fire back. I'm not afraid to go up against him. I've had it."}}</ref> There were no public indications of animosity between the two since the 2000–2001 season.<ref>{{cite news
| url         = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20031030/ai_n11422207/?tag=content;col1
| title       = Bryant says it's business as usual
| date        = October 30, 2003
| newspaper   = Deseret News
| agency      = Associated Press
| access-date  = August 10, 2010
| quote       = This was the first overt sign of hostility between them since midway through the 2000–01 season
}}</ref> With Bryant absent from camp due to his legal situation and his recovery from knee surgery, O'Neal said "the full team is here." Later, after sitting out an exhibition game to rest a sore left heel, O'Neal said, "I want to be right [in the regular season] for [[Derek Fisher|Derek [Fisher]]], Karl and Gary." Bryant was again ignored by O'Neal.<ref name=stein_10262003>{{cite web
| url         = https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&id=1647603
| title       = Shaq calls Lakers 'my team'
| last        = Stein
| first       = Marc
| author-link  = Marc Stein (reporter)
| date        = October 26, 2003
| work        = ESPN.com
| access-date  = August 11, 2010
| quote       = O'Neal said at the time that "the full team is here", leading some to speculate that he preferred to play this season without the distractions attached to Bryant's court case.
}}</ref>

When Bryant joined the Lakers in camp, O'Neal told reporters Bryant should look to be more of a passer than a scorer until Bryant's knee was fully healed. Bryant responded that he knew how to play the [[Basketball position#Back court|guard]] position, and O'Neal should worry about the low post.<ref name= si_heisler>{{cite news
| url         = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/the_bonus/11/20/kobe.shaq/index.html
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081202111639/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/the_bonus/11/20/kobe.shaq/index.html
| url-status  = dead
| archive-date = December 2, 2008
| title       = Inside the Kobe–Shaq feud
| first       = Mark
| last        = Heisler
| work        = SI.com
| publisher   = CNN
| access-date  = July 17, 2010
| date=November 21, 2008}}</ref> O'Neal responded, "Just ask Karl and Gary why they came here. One person. Not two. One. Period."<ref name= si_heisler/> O'Neal agreed that Bryant could handle playing guard, but Bryant needed advice on how to play team ball. O'Neal added that he would voice his opinions as he saw fit because the Lakers were his team. He said that if Bryant—who was scheduled to become a free agent at season's end—didn't like what O'Neal had to say, Bryant should just opt out of his contract; O'Neal added, "I ain't going nowhere."<ref name= si_heisler/>  Jackson told the team to not discuss the problem further with reporters.<ref name= deseret_10292003>{{cite news
| url         = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20031029/ai_n11430263/?tag=content;col1
| title       = Shaq–Kobe feud leads to team meeting
| date        = October 29, 2003
| newspaper   = Deseret News
| agency      = Associated Press
| access-date  = August 10, 2010
| quote       = At practice Monday, Jackson ordered the team not to discuss the dust-up with reporters. He fined Bryant for defying that order by talking to ESPN later that day.}}</ref>

In a subsequent interview with [[Jim Gray (sportscaster)|Jim Gray]] of [[ESPN]], Bryant questioned O'Neal's claims of team leadership. Bryant claimed that O'Neal came into training camp "fat and out of shape", that O'Neal blamed others for the team's defeats, and that O'Neal previously exaggerated the degree to which injuries had affected his game as a cover for simply being out of condition. Bryant criticized O'Neal's public lobbying for a contract extension when "we have two future Hall of Famers (Malone and Payton) playing here pretty much for free". He also criticized O'Neal for only taking responsibility when the team won. He accused O'Neal of threatening not to put forth his best effort if he was not passed the ball more often. Bryant was also upset that O'Neal did not personally contact him amidst his legal troubles in the summer.<ref>{{cite interview
 | last           = Bryant
 | first          = Kobe
 | subject-link    = Kobe Bryant
 | interviewer    = Jim Gray
 | title          = Kobe critical of Shaq's leadership
 | url            = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1648431
 | publisher       = ESPN
 | date           = October 28, 2003
 | access-date     = July 17, 2010}}</ref> O'Neal had his bodyguard, Jerome Crawford, call Bryant.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.166</ref> "Everyone knows Jerome is me", said O'Neal.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.170</ref>

[[File:Brian Shaw.jpg|left|thumb|240px|Former teammate [[Brian Shaw (basketball)|Brian Shaw]] mediated a feud during 2003.]]
The following day, Lakers scout and former teammate [[Brian Shaw (basketball)|Brian Shaw]] mediated the conflict between a furious O'Neal and Bryant. Shaw reprimanded O'Neal for yelling "Pay me" at Buss after [[Slam dunk|dunking]] during a preseason game.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], pp.168–169</ref> Shaw turned to Bryant and told him that Jackson allowed O'Neal time to recover from the physical pounding he endured every season. Bryant, still disappointed at the support he received over the summer, told O'Neal, "You're supposed to be my friend."<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], pp.170–171</ref> Shaw questioned why he would believe that when Bryant did not join the team for dinners on the road, failed to attend O'Neal's wedding though invited, and did not invite a single teammate to his own wedding.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.171</ref>

Jackson fined Bryant an undisclosed amount for defying his orders to not talk to the press.<ref name=deseret_10292003/> O'Neal revealed after the season that he promised Malone and Payton he would cease feuding with Bryant in light of his legal situation with the rape charge.<ref>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?id=1824721
| title       = Shaq knew he'd be shown the door
| last        = Friend
| first       = Tom
| magazine    = ESPN The Magazine
| date        = June 21, 2004
| access-date  = July 28, 2010
| quote       = And the reason is, he'd promised Malone and Payton back in November he'd stay off Kobe's case.}}</ref>  On opening night of the season, an injured Bryant sat down next to O'Neal during the Lakers' victory over the [[Dallas Mavericks]]. "We put it behind us", Bryant said. "Shaq and I are going to move on, be teammates and help this team to a fourth title."<ref>{{cite web
| url         = http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=231028013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031113115157/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=231028013
| url-status  = dead
| archive-date = November 13, 2003
| title       = Payton, Malone set the tone in Kobe's absence
| work        = ESPN.com
| date        = October 28, 2003
| access-date  = July 19, 2010
| quote       = Bryant sat alongside O'Neal for the start of the fourth quarter and stayed on the bench for the rest of the game.}}</ref>

The Lakers started the season with a 21–3 record, and they received accolades as the greatest NBA team ever. However, the Lakers lost Malone for three months to a knee injury during the winter.<ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref>{{cite web
| url         = http://www.nba.com/history/players/malonek_bio.html
| title       = Karl Malone Bio
| work        = nba.com
| quote       = Due to a knee injury and subsequent surgery he missed 40 games but did return near season's end only to re-injure his knee in the 2004 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons
|access-date = August 24, 2010
}}</ref> During the All-Star break, Buss suspended contract negotiations with Jackson, who was seeking to double his salary from $6 million to $12 million on his expiring contract. Jackson had a contract offer outstanding from the Lakers, but he had not acted on it. The Lakers also suspended talks with O'Neal, who wanted an extension with a pay raise on his remaining three years for $30 million. The Lakers hoped O'Neal would take less money due to his age, physical conditioning, and games missed due to injuries. The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote that both of the Lakers moves were a concession to Bryant.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.421, 423</ref> The Lakers slid towards mediocrity during the spring. Injuries hampered Los Angeles, keeping them as the fourth seed in the Western Conference midway through the season. The team never came together defensively. Winter said, "Even though Shaq was a big presence, he was not a great shot blocker. And he didn't like to play the screen and roll, so he put his teammates in jeopardy. He didn't like to help [on defense]."<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p. 426</ref> In March, after Bryant received internal criticism about his shot selection, he scored just one point while taking three shots in the first half against Orlando which the Lakers trailed by 11. He scored 37 in the second half and tied a team record with 24 in the fourth quarter as the Lakers won in overtime. Against Sacramento in April, Bryant took just one shot in the first half against tight defense. He finished the game with eight points. An anonymous teammate told the ''Los Angeles Times'', "I don't know how we can forgive him." Afterward, Jackson urged Bryant to be more aggressive offensively.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.425–6</ref>

The Lakers ultimately entered the playoffs as the second seed, thanks to an overtime victory versus the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] on the final night of the season, due to a pair of buzzer beaters from Bryant.<ref>{{cite web
| url         = http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=240414022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040531020203/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=240414022
| url-status  = dead
| archive-date = May 31, 2004
| title       = Kobe sends game to OT, wins it in 2OT
| date        = April 14, 2004
| work        = ESPN.com
| quote       = They showed it Wednesday night in the regular-season finale when Kobe Bryant's 3-pointer at the end of double overtime gave the Lakers a 105–104 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, and, more importantly, the Pacific Division title.
|access-date = August 24, 2010
}}</ref> They defeated the [[Houston Rockets]], the [[San Antonio Spurs]], and the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] before advancing to the [[2004 NBA Finals]], where they were considered a favorite to defeat the [[Detroit Pistons]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/09/sports/basketball/09nba.html|title=Pro Basketball; Lakers Crush Pistons' Hope Of Taking The First 2|date=June 9, 2004|access-date=April 28, 2011|work=The New York Times|first=Chris|last=Broussard}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lakers are heavy favorite|date=June 2, 2004|work=The Detroit News}}</ref> However, after five games, the Lakers found themselves not only defeated but dominated by the Pistons, who won the NBA title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/pistons/2004-06-16-wojnowski-comment_x.htm|title=Pistons finish Lakers' era, begin own|date=June 16, 2004|access-date=April 28, 2011|work=USA Today|first=Bob|last=Wojnowski}}</ref> Winter said, "Shaq defeated himself against Detroit. He played way too passively. He had one big game ... He's always interested in being a scorer, but he hasn't had nearly enough concentration on defense and rebounding."<ref name="ReferenceD">[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.428</ref>

After the loss, the division between O'Neal and Bryant came to a head. At the news conference after the final game, O'Neal addressed the uncertainty around Coach Phil Jackson's now-expired contract, and Bryant's impending free agency, which meant that either or both might not return to the Lakers the next season. With regard to the problem of people possibly leaving the team, O'Neal commented that everyone including him needed to do what was best for themselves.<ref>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/17/sports/pro-basketball-jackson-s-off-season-likely-to-be-long.html
| title       = Jackson's Off-Season Likely to Be Long
| last        = Broussard
| first       = Chris
| author-link  = Chris Broussard
| quote       = "This summer is going to be a different summer for a lot of people", O'Neal said. "Everyone is going to take care of their own business and everyone that is going to do what's best for them, including me."
| newspaper   = The New York Times
| date        = June 17, 2004
| access-date  = August 24, 2010}}</ref>

Eventually Jackson, a favorite of O'Neal, was not offered a new contract by the Lakers. Many sports analysts and spectators assumed that this was because of Bryant, who had at times voiced displeasure with Jackson's offensive scheme.<ref>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/19/sports/pro-basketball-wheels-come-off-lakers-dynasty.html
| title       = Wheels Come Off Lakers' Dynasty
| last        = Broussard
| first       = Chris
| author-link  = Chris Broussard
| quote       = The feeling throughout the Lakers organization is that Bryant is behind these moves.
| newspaper   = The New York Times
| date        = June 19, 2004
| access-date  = August 24, 2010}}</ref> However, Winter said Jackson announced at the All-Star break that he would not want to return to the Lakers if Bryant returned.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.423</ref> Buss also longed for the Lakers to return to the [[fast break]] offense of [[Showtime (basketball)|Showtime]].<ref name="ReferenceD"/> After learning of Jackson's departure and hearing Lakers general manager [[Mitch Kupchak]] say he would consider trading him, O'Neal demanded to be traded.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.174–75</ref> He made it clear that he felt the Laker organization was making moves designed primarily to placate Bryant, saying "The direction they’re going ... I don’t want to be a part of this."<ref>{{cite web | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-M1EAAAAIBAJ&pg=1157,4543505 | title = Shaq holds firm in his demand | work = The Albany Herald | date = June 27, 2004 | access-date = April 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5236840/ | title = Jackson Not Returning; Shaq Requested Trade | work = nbcsports.com | publisher = MSNBC | date = June 20, 2004 | access-date = April 21, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120818174917/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5236840/ | archive-date = August 18, 2012 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Bryant, meanwhile, was involved in discussions with the [[Los Angeles Clippers]]. O'Neal's demand was soon indulged, as he was sent to the [[Miami Heat]] for [[Lamar Odom]], [[Caron Butler]], [[Brian Grant]], and a first-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite web
| url         = http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/odom_shaq_trade_040714.html
| title       = Lakers Acquire Odom, Butler, Grant and a Future First Rounder for Shaq
| quote       = The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired forward Lamar Odom, forward Caron Butler, forward Brian Grant and a future first round draft pick from the Miami Heat in exchange for center Shaquille O'Neal, it was announced today.
| work        = nba.com
| date        = July 14, 2004
| access-date  = August 24, 2010}}</ref> NBA coach and former player [[Doc Rivers]] called the relationship between O'Neal and Bryant the "biggest travesty in sports" because they should have remained teammates and won at least five championships together.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.156</ref>

==O'Neal traded from Lakers: 2004–2006==
===2004–2005===
{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction = horizontal
 | footer = Shaquille O'Neal (left) was traded to the Miami Heat while Kobe Bryant (right) re-signed with the Lakers.
 | footer_align = left
 | image1 = shaqmiami.jpg
 | width1 = 148
 | image2 = Kobe Bryant 7144 adjusted.jpg
 | width2 = 150
}}
A day after O'Neal was traded, Bryant re-signed with the Lakers for seven years and $136 million. Bryant said he enjoyed playing with both Jackson and O'Neal, and he said he did not influence the Lakers' decisions regarding the two. Regardless, newspapers the next day criticized Bryant for his alleged manipulation of the team.<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], pp.429–30</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |url          = http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5345751/ns/sports-nba/
 |title        = Kobe denies getting Jackson, Shaq ousted
 |quote        = The decision came a day after the Lakers traded fellow superstar Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat. Now, it will be Bryant — along with incoming coach Rudy Tomjanovich and Heat imports Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Brian Grant — who will lead them into the future.
 |work         = nbcsports.com
 |publisher    = MSNBC
 |date         = July 16, 2004
 |access-date   = August 24, 2010
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20091125192308/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5345751/ns/sports-nba/
 |archive-date = November 25, 2009
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref> O'Neal added, "When it came to my leaving, [Kobe] could have spoken up. He could have said something. He didn't say anything." Winter said, "[O'Neal] left because he couldn't get what he wanted—a huge pay raise. There was no way ownership could give him what he wanted. Shaq's demands held the franchise hostage, and the way he went about it didn't please the owner too much."<ref>[[#lazenby2006|Lazenby 2006]], p.434</ref>

Later, news came out that Bryant made a reference about O'Neal and paying women for their discretion while being questioned by the police in 2003. According to reports, Bryant stated that he should have paid off his women to remain quiet, like O'Neal. Bryant also stated that O'Neal paid women up to US$1&nbsp;million for their silence about their encounters with him. It also was reported that investigators had told O'Neal of Bryant's supposed statements shortly after the investigation had begun. O'Neal denied these claims, stating that Bryant had no idea about O'Neal's personal business since the two of them rarely spent any time together. O'Neal went as far as to say that he "[wasn't] the one buying love, [Bryant was] the one buying love", a reference to Bryant's purchase of a multi-million dollar diamond ring for his wife in the aftermath of the revelation that Bryant was unfaithful to her.<ref>{{cite web
| url       = http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6134411/ns/bryant_sexual_assault_lawsuit/
| title       = Shaq angrily denies paying sex hush money
| quote       = ... he should have done what Shaq does ... that Shaq would pay his women not to say anything ...
| date       = September 30, 2004
| work       = MSNBC.com
| access-date       = July 18, 2010
| archive-url       = https://web.archive.org/web/20100625145723/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6134411/ns/bryant_sexual_assault_lawsuit
| archive-date       = June 25, 2010
| url-status       = dead
}}</ref>

In August 2004, the NBA scheduled the Lakers and the Heat to play on [[National Basketball Association Christmas games|Christmas Day]]. The game registered the NBA's highest regular season [[National Basketball Association Nielsen ratings|television ratings]] since 1998 and held its spot until a 2008 Christmas Day meeting between the [[Celtics–Lakers rivalry|Lakers and the Boston Celtics]]. In the lead-up to the game, O'Neal referred to Bryant as a "[[Chevrolet Corvette|Corvette]]" and himself as a "brick wall" in an interview with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC's]] [[Al Michaels]] during halftime of ''[[Monday Night Football]]''.<ref>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-12-20-shaq-kobe_x.htm
| title       = Shaq on Kobe: 'He's a Corvette, I'm a brick wall'
| agency      = Associated Press
| quote       = If you've got a Corvette that runs into a brick wall, you know what's gonna happen ...
| newspaper   = USA Today
| date        = December 20, 2004
| access-date  = July 19, 2010}}</ref>

Before the opening tip, Bryant and O'Neal did not talk, but did greet each other by bumping forearms. During the game, Bryant was fouled by O'Neal several times but the contacts were not excessive. O'Neal fouled out late in the fourth quarter but the Heat still won the game in overtime, led by up-and-coming star [[Dwyane Wade]]. Bryant missed a potentially game-winning shot as time expired. When asked about the brick wall comment, Bryant said, "I knew there was a lot of talk about the brick wall and all that, but I think that was kind of just to hype the game. Hopefully, this is all behind us now." O'Neal shared a similar tone, saying "I'm over it. It's old news to me."<ref>{{cite news | title = Shaq, Heat get best of Bryant | author = DuPree, David | newspaper = USA Today | date = December 27, 2004 |page=C.14}}</ref> Bryant and O'Neal met on the court twice more during the season, once during the [[NBA All-Star Game]] and once more when the Lakers played the Heat on March 17, 2005.

===2005–2006===
[[File:Shaq gives ball to Bush 2007.jpg|thumb|left|O'Neal with President [[George W. Bush]] after his fourth championship.]] In the following season, Bryant and O'Neal did not engage in further public attacks. However, hard feelings were apparently still present when they refused to refer to each other by name while talking to the media. The Lakers and the Heat faced off again on Christmas Day in 2005, with the Heat winning the second time. Unlike last year, Bryant and O'Neal did not shake hands nor make eye contact with each other before and after the game. O'Neal said, "It was just another game to me."<ref>{{cite news | title = No Christmas cheer in Miami as Heat edge Lakers 97–92 | url = https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/games/2005-12-25-lakers-heat_x.htm? | author = Reynolds, Tim | newspaper = USA Today | date = December 25, 2005 | access-date = April 26, 2011 }}</ref> Bryant said "I wasn't even thinking about it. It is what it is."<ref>{{cite news | title = Shaq and Heat beat Kobe and Lakers | newspaper = Charleston Daily Mail | date = December 26, 2005 |page=4.B}}</ref>

Prior to their January 16, 2006 meeting, O'Neal greeted Bryant on the court warmly, a departure from his previous attitude toward Bryant. The two shook hands and hugged before tip-off.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/17/AR2006011701377_pf.html|title=O'Neal Squashes Feud With Bryant|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 18, 2006|access-date=July 28, 2010|quote="I had orders from the great Bill Russell", O'Neal said. "Me and him were talking in Seattle the other day, and he was telling me how rivalries should be. I asked him if he ever disliked anybody he played against, and he told me, 'No, never,' and he told me that I should shake Kobe Bryant's hand and let bygones be bygones and bury the hatchet.}}</ref><ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.231</ref> After Bryant scored 81 points in a single game against the [[Toronto Raptors]], O'Neal refused to comment to the media about it.<ref>{{cite news|last=Plaschke |first=Bill |author-link=Bill Plaschke |title=There's Still a Lot of 8-Hate |date=January 25, 2006 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jan-25-sp-plaschke25-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306185649/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/jan/25/sports/sp-plaschke25 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> O'Neal broke his silence a few weeks later during a media session at the [[2006 NBA All-Star Game]], when he acknowledged that he watched Bryant's 81-point game and offered praise for the performance.<ref>{{cite news|last=Heisler |first=Mark |title=Finalists Named for Hall of Fame |date=February 18, 2006 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-feb-18-sp-nbanotes18-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210164537/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/feb/18/sports/sp-nbanotes18 |archive-date=December 10, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the All-Star Game itself, the two were seen laughing and joking together.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wurst |first=Matthew D. |url=http://www.nba.com/allstar2006/allstar_game/55things_as06.html |title=55 Things About the 55th All-Star Game |work=NBA.com |date=February 19, 2006 |access-date=July 28, 2010 |quote=What happened after Shaq and Kobe got entangled in the lane during the first quarter? Nothing but laughter all around. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411001805/http://www.nba.com/allstar2006/allstar_game/55things_as06.html |archive-date=April 11, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> O'Neal and the Heat won the [[2006 NBA Finals|NBA title that season]]. In his 2011 autobiography, ''Shaq Uncut: My Story'', O'Neal wrote of the championship, "I had proven I could win anywhere—not just with some shot-happy guard in Los Angeles."<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.197</ref>

O'Neal indirectly referenced the feud in his [[cameo appearance]] in the 2006 movie ''[[Scary Movie 4]]''. O'Neal is kidnapped in the movie in a ''[[Saw (franchise)|Saw]]'' parody, and he hears a frightening voice. A terrified O'Neal then asks, "Kobe?"<ref>{{cite news|last=Harvey |first=Steve |title=Dana Point authorities answer 'wild' cries for help |date=October 16, 2007 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-oct-16-me-only16-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306051745/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/oct/16/local/me-only16 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Guerra |first=Joey |title=If the previous three didn't scare you off, this one's great |date=April 18, 2006 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/movies/reviews/3754457.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100422003649/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/movies/reviews/3754457.html |archive-date=April 22, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==De-escalation of the feud: 2006–2011==
===2006–2007===
In 2007, O'Neal said that Bryant should have won the [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award]], which was awarded to [[Dirk Nowitzki]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Shaq raps on New York stage, takes shots at Kobe |date=June 24, 2008 |work=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3457917 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104142220/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3457917 |archive-date=January 4, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the offseason, Bryant was "beyond furious" at reports from a Laker insider that Bryant had insisted O'Neal be traded from the Lakers.<ref name=espn_bryantasktrade>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2886927 |title=Bryant asks for trade, then backtracks slightly |work = ESPN.com |access-date=July 19, 2010 |date=July 31, 2007|quote=...as a Lakers insider notes, it was Bryant's insistence on getting away from Shaquille O'Neal that got them in this mess.}}</ref> Bryant reported that Buss said, "I am not going to re-sign Shaq. I am not about to pay him $30 million a year or $80 million over three years ... His body is breaking down, and I don't want to pay that money to him when I can get value for him right now rather than wait ... It doesn't matter to me what you do in free agency because I do not want to pay [Shaq], period."<ref name=espn_bryantasktrade/> O'Neal agreed with Bryant: "There's no doubt in my mind Kobe is telling the truth. I believe him a thousand percent ... I would have respected Dr. Buss more as a man if he would have told me that himself, because I know he said it."<ref name=espn_bryantasktrade/>

===2007–2008===
In [[2007–08 NBA season|2008]], O'Neal reiterated his belief that Bryant deserved the MVP award.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/03/27/oneal_casts_his_mvp_vote___and_its_a_big_no/ |title=O'Neal casts his MVP vote – and it's a big no |work = Boston Globe |access-date=October 31, 2011 |date=March 27, 2008 |last=May |first=Peter}}</ref> Bryant went on to win the award for the first time in his career that season. During the offseason, O'Neal was at a party, and got up to rap in front of the crowd. O'Neal mentioned Bryant multiple times in the rap, saying that "Kobe couldn't do it without me", referring to Bryant and the Lakers loss in the [[2008 NBA Finals]] to the Boston Celtics. He also rapped, "Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes".<ref>{{cite video |people=Shaquille O'Neal |title=Shaq's rap "Kobe, Tell me how my ass tastes" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z49whgBNCyE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Z49whgBNCyE |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> During the rap, O'Neal also blamed his divorce on Bryant's comments to investigators in 2004 about O'Neal paying off women.<ref>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jun-24-sp-shaq24-story.html
| title       = Kobe gets rapped by Shaq
| first       = Jonathan
| last        = Abrams
| quote       = Here's another snippet of what he said Sunday, in which he suggests Bryant's comments were a factor in O'Neal's separating from his wife, Shaunie.
| newspaper   = Los Angeles Times
| date        = June 24, 2008
| access-date  = July 19, 2010}}</ref> Bryant commented that he "didn't take (O'Neal's rap) any kind of way whatsoever."<ref>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jun-29-sp-usahoops29-story.html
| title       = Bryant won't discuss O'Neal
| first       = Jonathan
| last        = Abrams
| quote       = "I didn't take it any kind of way whatsoever", Bryant said Saturday, before declining to take any more questions on the topic.
| newspaper   = Los Angeles Times
| date        = June 29, 2008
| access-date  = July 28, 2010}}</ref> O'Neal later said he was [[Freestyle rap|freestyling]] and that "it was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever ... I'm totally cool with Kobe. No issue at all."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=3458056 |title=Shaq takes a freestyle swipe at Kobe |work=ESPN|agency=Associated Press |date=June 23, 2008| access-date= July 28, 2010 | quote="I was freestyling. That's all. It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever", O'Neal told ESPN.com Monday. "That is what MC's do. They freestyle when called upon. I'm totally cool with Kobe. No issue at all."}}</ref> Rap artist [[Snoop Dogg]], a Laker fan, agreed that "Shaq has all access and the right to do and say what he wants to say in fun, in the spirit of rap."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1589908/20080624/id_0.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928182005/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1589908/20080624/id_0.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 28, 2008 |title=Snoop Dogg, Nas, Cory Gunz See Nothing Wrong With Shaquille O'Neal's Anti-Kobe Freestyle|work=MTV.com|first=Shaheem |last=Reid |date=June 24, 2008 |access-date=July 28, 2010 |quote=Both of them is rappers; they tried rapping before. They know ain't no rules when it comes to rapping. Shaq has all access and the right to do and say what he wants to say in fun, in the spirit of rap}}</ref>

===2008–2009===
In November of the [[2008–09 NBA season|2008–09 season]], O'Neal told reporters that he believed the entire feud was the Lakers head coach Phil Jackson's fault. O'Neal later retracted the statement and apologized, interrupting one of Jackson's pre-game interviews to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.<ref>{{cite web
| url         = https://www.espn.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-081121
| title       = Shaq and Kobe: All Grown-Up
| first       = J.A.
| last        = Adande
| author-link  = J.A. Adande
| quote       = Jackson was in the midst of answering a stream of Shaq-related questions in his pregame media session when O'Neal himself emerged from the Suns' practice court, stepped through the reporters and gave Jackson a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
| date        = November 21, 2008
| work        = ESPN.com
| access-date  = July 28, 2010}}</ref> On January 29, 2009, in an interview with [[Stephen A. Smith]], O'Neal claimed that the feud between him and Bryant was simply a marketing ploy, saying "We helped you hype it up. I know what I'm doing, brother. I'm the smartest player in the world." On Bryant, O'Neal claimed that he "always did love Kobe." On Jackson, O'Neal claimed he is "the greatest coach ever, and he's done a lot for me. Phil's my guy. It's all marketing, baby." O'Neal also added that had he stayed with the Lakers, he and Bryant would have won another three or four titles. "We're still the greatest little-man, big-man 1-2 punch ever created in the history of the game", O'Neal said.<ref>{{cite web
| url         = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3873700
| title       = Shaq: 'I always did love Kobe'
| quote       = Shaquille O'Neal, the newly minted All-Star for the Western Conference, has claimed Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson as new allies, saying the longtime rivalry between himself and the Lakers forward was simply a marketing gimmick.
| date        = January 31, 2009
| work        = ESPN.com
| access-date  = July 28, 2010}}</ref> At the [[2009 NBA All-Star Game]], O'Neal, Bryant, and Jackson were all reunited on the West squad. O'Neal and Bryant were both named co-MVPs for the game and were shown laughing and hugging during the game.<ref name="AllStar">{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2009/allstar2009/02/16/main.20090215/index.html |title=Shaq, Kobe lead freestyling West All-Stars past East |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc |work=NBA.com |date=February 16, 2009 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |author=Garcia, Art |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318105538/http://www.nba.com/2009/allstar2009/02/16/main.20090215/index.html |archive-date=March 18, 2009 }}</ref> O'Neal told Bryant to keep the MVP trophy, but Bryant instead gave it to O'Neal's son.<ref>[[#oneal2011|O'Neal, MacMullan 2011]], p.232</ref> For O'Neal, Bryant's gesture marked a turning point in their relationship.<ref>{{cite news|last=Helin |first=Kurt |title=Kobe Bryant likes to remind Shaq who has more rings |date=April 2, 2013 |work=NBCSports.com |url=http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/02/kobe-bryant-likes-to-remind-shaq-who-has-more-rings/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606034515/http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/02/kobe-bryant-likes-to-remind-shaq-who-has-more-rings/ |archive-date=June 6, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bryant and the Lakers faced the [[Orlando Magic]] in the [[2009 NBA Finals]], winning the series in five games. Shaq showed support for Kobe, on his Twitter page saying: "thats right i am saying it today and today only, i want kobe bryant to get number 4, spread da word {{sic}}".<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2009/06/shaq-tweets-i-want-kobe-bryant-to-get-number-4.html
 |title       = Shaq tweets: "i want kobe bryant to get number 4"
 |first       = Andrea
 |last        = Adelson
 |quote       = THE_REAL_SHAQ: thats right i am saying it today and today only, i want kobe bryant to get number 4, spread da word
 |date        = November 3, 2009
 |work        = orlandosentinel.com
 |access-date  = July 28, 2010
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090606214624/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2009/06/shaq-tweets-i-want-kobe-bryant-to-get-number-4.html
 |archive-date = June 6, 2009
}}</ref>

===2009–2010===
[[File:Lakers White House 2010.jpg|thumb|Bryant and the Lakers visiting President [[Barack Obama]] after his fifth NBA title.]]
After the Lakers once again won the title in Game 7 of the [[2010 NBA Finals|2010 Finals]], Bryant was asked what it meant to him personally. He responded, "Just one more than Shaq ... I can take that to the bank." Bryant won five NBA titles and O'Neal won four. Bryant added, "You guys know how I am. I don't forget anything."<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Kobe Bryant comes clean about the pressure
 | first = Mark
 | last = Heisler
 | url = http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-heisler-lakers-20100618,0,5507283.column
 | newspaper = Los Angeles Times
 | date = June 18, 2010
 | access-date = July 17, 2010}}</ref> O'Neal again congratulated Bryant on his [[Twitter]] page: "Congratulations Kobe, u deserve it. U played great. Enjoy it man enjoy it. I know what ur sayin 'Shaq how my ass taste' {{sic}}."<ref>Shaquille O'Neal, [https://www.twitter.com/THE_REAL_SHAQ/status/16451373959 Status 16451373959: 'Congratulations Kobe],' ''Twitter'', June 17, 2010.</ref> He later revealed to Bryant that he was privately furious after seeing Bryant win his fifth championship, and hearing Bryant's words about him caused O'Neal to vandalize his own house in his anger.<ref>{{cite web
 | title = "I tore my house up after you won your 5th ring!": Shaq admitted to going on a rampage after Kobe Bryant got one more championship than him in 2010
 | first = Mehdi
 | last = Samir
 | url = https://thesportsrush.com/nba-news-i-tore-my-house-up-after-you-won-your-5th-ring-shaq-admitted-to-going-on-a-rampage-after-kobe-bryant-got-one-more-championship-than-him-in-2010/
 | website = The SportsRush
 | date = February 3, 2022
 | access-date = April 4, 2022}}</ref>

===2010–2011===
Upon hearing Bryant's comment about having more titles than O'Neal, [[Wycliffe Grousbeck|Wyc Grousbeck]], principal owner of the [[Boston Celtics]], said to [[Danny Ainge]], Celtics' president, "Let's go get Shaq."<ref>{{cite news
| url         = http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/09/19/grousbecks_faith_goes_right_down_to_the_core/?page=full
| title       = Grousbeck's faith goes right down to the core
| first       = Gary
| last        = Washburn
| quote       = "The minute I heard Kobe [Bryant] say he had one more ring than Shaq, I said to Danny, 'Let's go get Shaq', and it happened", said Grousbeck.
| date        = September 19, 2010
| newspaper   = The Boston Globe
| access-date  = October 14, 2010}}</ref> O'Neal signed a two-year contract with the Celtics for the [[2010–11 Boston Celtics season|2010–11]] and [[2011–12 Boston Celtics season|2011–12]] season for the league minimum of $1.3 million and adding to the [[Celtics–Lakers rivalry]]. [[Bill Simmons]] of ESPN speculated that O'Neal wanted to tie Bryant with five titles and that still "Shaq hates Kobe and Kobe hates Shaq."<ref>{{cite web
| url         = https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/100820
| title       = A few theories to chew on
| first       = Bill
| last        = Simmons
| author-link  = Bill Simmons
| quote       = My theory: I think Kobe's postgame routine got back to Shaq. I think it pissed him off. I think it got his competitive juices flowing for the first time in years. I think he realized Boston was his best chance to tie Kobe at five.
| date        = August 20, 2010
| work        = ESPN.com
| access-date  = August 24, 2010}}</ref> O'Neal said he didn't "compete with little guys who run around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a night – like D-Wade, Kobe." O'Neal added that he is only competing against [[Tim Duncan]]: "If Tim Duncan gets five rings, then that gives some writer the chance to say 'Duncan is the best,' and I can't have that."<ref>{{cite web
| url         = https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/columns/story?columnist=macmullan_jackie&id=5620537
| title       = Shaq ready to leave mark in Boston
| first       = Jackie
| last        = MacMullan
| author-link  = Jackie MacMullan
| quote       = But I don't compete with little guards. I don't compete with little guys who run around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a night – like D-Wade, Kobe.
| date        = September 27, 2010
| work        = ESPN.com
| access-date  = October 14, 2010}}</ref> The pair played each other one last time on January 30, 2011, with O'Neal's Celtics prevailing over Bryant's Lakers in a 109–96 victory. However, O'Neal was held scoreless, as he was now relegated to a role player.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/310130013|title=Celtics win Finals rematch despite Kobe Bryant's 41 points|work=[[ESPN]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|location=[[Los Angeles]]|date=January 31, 2011|access-date=May 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713070736/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/310130013|archive-date=July 13, 2023|url-status=dead}}</ref> The teams faced again a week and a half later, but O'Neal did not play as he was dealing with an injury.

==Post-playing careers==
O'Neal announced his retirement via social media on June 1, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shaquille O'Neal announces retirement|url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6615886|work=ESPN|access-date=June 1, 2011|date=June 1, 2011}}</ref><ref name=giles>{{cite news|last=Olivarez-Giles |first=Nathan |title=Shaq announces NBA retirement on Twitter, using Tout iPhone app |date=June 1, 2011 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/06/shaq-announces-nba-retirement-on-twitter-using-tout-iphone-app.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603214631/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/06/shaq-announces-nba-retirement-on-twitter-using-tout-iphone-app.html |archive-date=June 3, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Two days later, O'Neal held a press conference at his home in Orlando to officially announce his retirement.<ref>{{cite web|first=Tim |last=Reynolds |title=Shaq moving on to the next chapter—retirement |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ajvk5YYrwHEHSQW8rvffiEK8vLYF?slug=ap-shaqretires |work=Yahoo! Sports |access-date=June 3, 2011 |date=June 3, 2011 }} {{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> When asked who was the greatest player he ever played with during his career, O'Neal did not answer, but Bryant was the only player whose name was mentioned.<ref name="retirement">{{cite web|first=J. A.|last=Adande|author-link=J. A. Adande|title=Shaquille always did things his own way|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2011/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=shaqkobe-110603|work=ESPN|access-date=June 4, 2011|date=June 3, 2011}}</ref> He also mentioned that his departure from Los Angeles has nothing to do with Kobe Bryant, saying "the reason I left wasn't about what Kobe did; it was about something else. I was making maximum dollars and felt I deserved more. It was a business end." When asked whether leaving Los Angeles was a bad decision, he answered "I don't like to live in a world of ifs, but if we would have stayed, possibly we could have got six [championships]."<ref name="retirement"/>

After his retirement, O'Neal was hired by [[Turner Sports]] as an NBA analyst. When asked whether it would be difficult for him to criticize Bryant, he answered "I have the ability and the backing to give fair criticism. The only time I have trouble with people giving criticism is when they haven't walked that walk. I've walked many walks in my 19-year career, so I think any criticism that I give should be fair."<ref name="turner">{{cite web|title=Shaquille O'Neal joins Turner Sports|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/6768632/shaquille-oneal-joins-turner-sports-analyst|work=ESPN|access-date=July 18, 2011|date=July 14, 2011}}</ref> During the [[2011 NBA lockout]], Bryant discussed his problems with O'Neal with a radio station in Italy, saying "I like players who workout. I used to do that 6–7 hours per day. I cannot stand players who practice for 30 minutes."<ref>{{cite news|last=Cherner |first=Reid |title=Report: Kobe close to Italy deal; takes Shaq feud international |date=September 30, 2011 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/09/kobe-takes-his-shaq-feud-international/1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002150627/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/09/kobe-takes-his-shaq-feud-international/1 |archive-date=October 2, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> O'Neal countered that he did not need to work out, and that "My three Finals MVPs speaks for itself."<ref>{{cite news |last=Brescia |first=Joe |title=Q. and A. With Shaquille O'Neal |date=October 18, 2011 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/qa-with-shaquille-oneal/?scp=2&sq=derek%20fisher&st=cse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425212646/http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/qa-with-shaquille-oneal/?scp=2&sq=derek%20fisher&st=cse |archive-date=April 25, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On February 6, 2012, Bryant passed O'Neal for fifth place on the [[List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders|all-time scoring list]]. Bryant said it was an honor because of their championships together. O'Neal congratulated Bryant, saying "I'm proud of him. I'm happy for him, and, most of all, I want to thank him for being a part of the greatest 1-2 punch ever created, never to be duplicated."<ref>{{cite web|title=Lou Williams-led 76ers spoil Kobe Bryant's milestone night|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320206020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208073504/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320206020|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 8, 2012|work=ESPN|access-date=February 7, 2012|date=February 6, 2012}}</ref> Bryant stated on radio the following day that he and O'Neal were never going to last as teammates. Bryant recalled: "There was an interview that I heard Shaq do which he kind of threw down the challenge of me not being able to win without him. After I read that, I said, 'Aw, that's it.' Some comparison that he made with me and Penny Hardaway, and once I read that, I said, 'You know what? I can't finish my career with people saying that. There's no way.'"<ref>{{cite web|title=Kobe Bryant dishes on Shaquille O'Neal|url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/7550968/los-angeles-lakers-kobe-bryant-talks-split-shaquille-oneal|work=ESPN|access-date=February 7, 2012|date=February 7, 2012|last=Kamenetzky|first=Andrew }}</ref> In 2013, Bryant said that the two "have a really, really good relationship now", calling it "a good lesson for all of us."<ref>{{cite news|last=McMenamin |first=Dave |title=Kobe Bryant: Things better with Shaq |date=February 13, 2013 |work=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8942694/kobe-bryant-says-shaquille-oneal-improved-relationship |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215071853/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8942694/kobe-bryant-says-shaquille-oneal-improved-relationship |archive-date=February 15, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> He said the two had "mutual respect" for each other,<ref>{{cite news|last=Spears |first=Marc J. |title=As the Lakers prepare to retire Shaq's jersey, Kobe now appreciates his former foe |date=April 1, 2013 |work=yahoo.com |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--as-the-lakers-prepare-to-retire-shaq-s-jersey--kobe-now-appreciates-his-former-foe-184336128.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518030607/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--as-the-lakers-prepare-to-retire-shaq-s-jersey--kobe-now-appreciates-his-former-foe-184336128.html |archive-date=May 18, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> while O'Neal commented that they had an "athletic dislike" for each other but "never had a real dislike".<ref name=rohlin>{{cite news|last=Rohlin |first=Melissa |title=Shaquille O'Neal says he never had 'real dislike' for Kobe Bryant |date=April 3, 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-xpm-2013-apr-03-la-sp-ln-shaquille-oneal-kobe-bryant-dislike-20130403-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609154210/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/03/sports/la-sp-ln-shaquille-oneal-kobe-bryant-dislike-20130403 |archive-date=June 9, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> That year, the Lakers [[retired number|retired]] O'Neal's No. 34 during a halftime ceremony. Bryant did not attend the ceremony, but called O'Neal "the most gifted physical specimen I've ever seen play this game" in a recorded video during the event.<ref name=rohlin/><ref name=plaschke_04022013>{{cite news|last=Plaschke |first=Bill |title=If only Shaq, Kobe said it in public |date=April 2, 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2013-apr-02-la-sp-plaschke-shaq-20130403-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604134105/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/02/sports/la-sp-plaschke-shaq-20130403 |archive-date=June 4, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Questioned about his absence, Bryant told the media, "I appreciate you guys trying to start some stuff for old times' sake."<ref name=plaschke_04022013/> Later, it came out that Bryant had missed the ceremony because he had been receiving treatment from the Lakers' training staff.<ref>{{cite web|title=The last true days of Kobe Bryant|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15186931/last-true-days-kobe-bryant|last=Holmes|first=Baxter|work=ESPN|access-date=May 5, 2017|date=April 11, 2016}}</ref>

In 2015, O'Neal launched ''The Big Podcast'' with Bryant as his first guest. O'Neal introduced Bryant as "the greatest Laker ever" as the two reflected on their feud.<ref>{{cite web|title=Listen to Shaquille O'Neal's revealing podcast with Kobe Bryant|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/08/listen-shaquille-oneal-kobe-bryant-podcast|work=USA Today|access-date=May 5, 2017|date=August 31, 2015|last=Schwartz|first=Nick}}</ref>

In November 2015, Bryant announced his intention to retire following the [[2015–16 NBA season]]. On March 22, 2016, following a victory over the [[Memphis Grizzlies]], the [[Inside the NBA]] crew held an interview with Bryant. In reference to his final career game against the [[Utah Jazz]] on April 13, O'Neal asked Bryant, “Can you promise me one thing? I need 50 [points] that night.” Bryant laughed and responded,  “Uh, no ... absolutely not."<ref>{{cite news|last=Bieler|first=Des|title=Shaquille O'Neal requests 50 points from Kobe Bryant in his final game|date=March 24, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/03/23/shaquille-oneal-requests-50-points-from-kobe-bryan-in-his-final-game/|access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> Three weeks later, Bryant led the Lakers to a come-from-behind 101–96 victory over the Jazz with a 60-point performance, outscoring the entire Jazz team 23–21 in the fourth quarter. He was then taken off the floor with 4.1 seconds remaining, to an uproarious Staples Center crowd. O'Neal, who was in attendance, embraced Bryant on the court shortly after the final buzzer.<ref>{{cite web|last=Acosta-Delacruz|first=Angelo|title=Kobe finishes his two-decade-long career in a fashionable way as Lakers eliminate Jazz, 101–96|publisher=Powcast Sports Hub|date=April 13, 2016|website=powcast.net|url=http://www.powcast.net/2016/04/kobe-finishes-his-two-decade-long.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15202045/nba-kobe-bryant-fitting-farewell|title=Kobe Bryant's final game: A flurry of jump shots and glory|work=ESPN|date=April 14, 2016}}</ref> When asked about Bryant's legacy during a segment on TNT, O'Neal repeated his praise of Bryant as "the greatest Laker ever."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aol.com/article/2016/04/13/shaquille-oneal-says-kobe-bryant-is-the-best-laker-ever/21343659/|title=Shaquille O'Neal says Kobe Bryant is the best Laker ever|publisher=AOL}}</ref>

One year later, O'Neal was honored by the Lakers with [[Statue of Shaquille O'Neal|a statue of his likeness]] outside [[Staples Center]]. Bryant was in attendance of the statue's unveiling and spoke at the event, which O'Neal said "meant a lot" to him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2017/03/24/shaquille-oneal-it-means-a-lot-kobe-bryant-spoke-at-his-statue-unveiling/|title=Shaquille O'Neal: 'It means a lot' Kobe Bryant spoke at his statue unveiling|date=March 24, 2017}}</ref> Addressing Bryant during the ceremony, O'Neal said, "Next time we're out here for a statue, it'll probably be your statue."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYq4Et1Tg0E |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/IYq4Et1Tg0E |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Shaq's Statue Unveiled Outside Of Staples Center (Includes Shaq's Speech!)|website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In February 2018, both players recorded a ''Players Only'' special for [[NBA TV]] where they spoke about their history together, the mutual respect and appreciation, and explanations and regrets over the tensions and feud. Bryant also joked about having more championships than O'Neal.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2018/02/17/i-owe-you-an-apology-shaquille-oneal-explains-why-he-loves-kobe-bryant-years-after-feud/| title = Shaquille O'Neal apologizes to Kobe Bryant for feud during Lakers years – The Washington Post| newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

In August 2019, Bryant stated that he would have won 12 rings, if O'Neal had a better work ethic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-29 |title=Kobe Bryant Tells How Fist Fight Gained Shaq's Respect |url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/8/kobe-bryant-valuetainment-shaq-video |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=[[Hypebeast (company)]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-28 |title=Sorry, folks. Shaq and Kobe aren't feuding again |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2019-08-28/shaq-kobe-bryant-lakers-12-rings |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rollins |first=Khadrice |date=2019-08-28 |title=Kobe and Shaq will quarrel until the end of time |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2019/08/28/kobe-bryant-shaquille-oneal-12-rings-work-ethic-lakers |access-date=2023-10-19 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}</ref>

On January 26, 2020, Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, [[Gianna Bryant|Gianna]], [[Death of Kobe Bryant|died in a helicopter crash]] along with seven other people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28569438/sources-kobe-bryant-daughter-gianna-die-helicopter-crash|title = Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna die in helicopter crash|date = January 26, 2020}}</ref> O'Neal expressed his sorrow on Twitter soon after official reports of Bryant's death were released.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1221549914766954496|user=SHAQ|title=There's no words to express the pain...|date=January 26, 2020}}</ref> Two days after the crash on January 28, a scheduled matchup between the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] and [[Los Angeles Clippers]] was postponed out of respect for Bryant and with the game due to air on [[NBA on TNT|TNT]], the [[Inside the NBA]] crew opted to instead broadcast a live show at center court of the empty [[Staples Center]], during which a visibly upset O'Neal embarked on a nearly 7-minute long tearful monologue, expressing his disbelief and heartbreak over Bryant and his daughter’s death.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Turner|first=Broderick|title=A tearful Shaquille O'Neal on Kobe Bryant's death: 'I've lost a little brother|website=[[L.A. Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2020-01-28/shaquille-oneal-tearfully-says-he-never-could-have-imagined-kobe-bryant-dying|access-date=November 11, 2023|date=January 28, 2020}}</ref> During Bryant's public memorial service on February 24, 2020, O'Neal was one of the major speakers, providing a speech on their time together as teammates.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hall |first=Erik |title=Shaq speech on Kobe Bryant: 3 things Shaquille O'Neal said at Kobe Bryant's memorial |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2020/02/24/see-what-shaq-said-kobe-bryant-memorial-shaquille-oneal/4858065002/|access-date=March 6, 2020|date=February 24, 2020 }}</ref>

On May 15, 2021, Bryant was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame. O'Neal, who was present at the ceremony, said that while he and Bryant always argued, they always respected each other, and their respect was the reason they won three consecutive championships.

On February 8, 2024, the day of [[Statue of Kobe Bryant|Kobe's statue ]] unveiling, Shaq called Bryant “the most competitive player I’ve ever seen and the best teammate I ever had.”<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Wong|first1=Kristen|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2024/02/08/kobe-bryant-video-tribute-narrated-by-shaq-is-best-thing-youll-see-today|title=Kobe Bryant Video Tribute Narrated by Shaq Is Best Thing You'll See Today|date=February 8, 2024|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book |last=Lazenby |first=Roland |author-link=Roland Lazenby |title=The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers in the Words of Those Who Lived It |year=2006 |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill Professional]] |location=New York City |isbn=978-0-07-143034-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/showinsidestoryo00laze |url-access=registration |ref=lazenby2006 |access-date=April 18, 2011}}

==External links==
*[https://www.landofbasketball.com/player_comparison/kobe_bryant_vs_shaquille_oneal.htm Kobe Bryant vs. Shaquille O'Neal Comparison] at LandOfBasketball.com
*[https://www.landofbasketball.com/games_between/kobe_bryant_vs_shaquille_oneal.htm Head-to-Head: Games Played Between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal] at LandOfBasketball.com

{{Los Angeles Lakers}}
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{{Kobe Bryant}}
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