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Shaquille O’Neal on What First Ring With Kobe Bryant at Age 28 Meant for Him: “All I Wanted Was Just One Championship to Shut People Up”
One of the greatest duos to ever play the game is the Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant pair. They were a force to reckon with and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a three-peat. During his time with the Lakers, Shaq developed a good partnership on the court with Bryant. Although they had a rocky relationship, their love for each other was unmatched.
Talking on his popular podcast, Shaq revealed an interesting story. According to him, he only wanted to win one championship and it was for a particular reason. To shut his haters up. Although he might have aimed for just one, Shaq went on to win multiple titles. Here’s what he had to say.
Shaquille O’Neal talks about winning an NBA title
After the retirement of NFL legend Tom Brady, the whole world has been talking about him. Shaq is not a person to be left behind as he talked about the NFL playoffs in The Big Podcast with Shaq. When asked about Tom Brady and his retirement plans, Shaq went on to narrate an interesting story.
018634.SP.1101.lakers.AR The Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O’Neal(left) and Kobe Bryant prior to game against Utah at the Staples Center on 11/1/00. (Photo by Anacleto Rapping/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Shaq said, ” I have a confession. Listen, all I wanted was one championship to shut people up.” He then mentioned how his uncles, who were his mentors pushed him to achieve more.
Shaquille O’Neal ended up having one of the best careers in the NBA. Apart from 4 NBA titles with the Lakers and Miami Heat, he has numerous accolades to his name. Shaq has won the NBA finals MVP award thrice, 15 times All-Star, and also NBA MVP in 2000.
The first title of Shaq O’Neal
The first title for any player is special. And two special players won their first title together. The Lakers got the better of the Indiana Pacers during the 2000 NBA finals.
Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O’Neal, left, shares a laugh with Kobe Bryant on the bench during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim Thursday, October 23, 2003. (Photo by Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Shaq won the finals MVP award with a phenomenal average. He averaged 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Kobe on the other hand averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. The duo led the Lakers to a 4-2 victory over the Pacers which saw them win the first of three titles together. (Source: basketballreference)
Shaq and Kobe duo
When Shaq joined the Los Angeles Lakers, he immediately formed a pair with Kobe. The two played for the franchise from 1996 to 2004, winning titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
Lakers Kobe Bryant bumps chests with Shaquille O’Neal after O’Neal got fouled scoring in the first half during the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs at Staples Center Sunday April 21, 2002.Trailblazer Damon Stoudamire looks on from the left. Lakers won 9587. (Photo by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The two have incredible stats while playing together. Kobe averaged 21.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 461 games with Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal averaged an incredible 26.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 461 games.
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What is your favorite memory of the Shaq and Kobe duo? Let us know in the comments below.
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