People think that Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant led the Los Angeles Lakers to one of the best teams in NBA history, especially since they won the title in 2000–01. Speaking of their earlier days, Shaq recently revealed some secret ways he inspired his late colleague, the Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant.
In a recent episode of “The OGs,” a podcast with Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem, Shaquille discussed his unconventional ways of motivating Kobe and maximizing his performance during their time with the Purple and Gold.
The four-time champion said, “I used to say things to make him mad on purpose because I knew that’s when he’d play his best. I’d tell him things like, ‘You’re not Michael Jordan,’ or, ‘They got this kid LeBron [James] in Cleveland who’s better than you.’”
Shaquille O’Neal’s tactics may seem harsh, but they were clearly effective since it produced remarkable results on the court.
Whose reign was supreme between Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant?
Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were both amazing players, and they worked really well together. O’Neal was strong in the paint, which helped Bryant score. Meanwhile, Bryant could create his own shots, which took some pressure off O’Neal.
O’Neal was a powerful center. Over his 19-year career, he scored an average of 23.7 points, grabbed 10.9 rebounds, and made 2.5 assists each game. His skills helped the Los Angeles Lakers win three NBA championships in a row from 2000 to 2002.
Bryant was a skilled guard known for scoring and making big plays when it mattered most. He averaged 25.0 points per game over his 20-year career and won five NBA championships, including three with O’Neal.
