Kobe Bryant Insists There’s “No Beef” W/ Shaq: We Too Old To Beef

Kobe Bryant Insists There’s “No Beef” W/ Shaq: We Too Old To Beef

The Los Angeles Lakers were one of the most impressive dynasties the NBA has ever seen on the court and since, no other team has accomplished a 3-peat championship, post the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal era in the early 2000s. During an interview earlier this week, Kobe opens up about their on again and off again feud, that he and his former Lakers teammate reportedly had which aided Shaq to push for a trade after the 2004 season. The 5-time NBA champion says Shaq is still the greatest but lacked work ethic at the PHP Convention in Las Vegas,

“He’d be the greatest of all time. He’d be the first to tell you that. This guy was a force like I have never seen. It was crazy. Generally, guys at that size are a little timid and they don’t want to be big. This dude did not care. He was mean, he was nasty. He was competitive. He was vindictive. I wish he was in the gym. I would’ve had f—–g 12 rings.”

After learning of Kobe’s comments, Shaq took to Instagram to defend himself while calling out Kobe, alluding to the retired Lakers star as a ball-hog during their defeat in the 2004 NBA Finals against the tough Detroit Pistons. Shaq writes,

“U woulda had twelve if u passed the ball more especially in the finals against the pistons #facts,” O’Neal stated. “You don’t get statues by not working hard.”

The dynamic duo remain friendly and added that there isn’t bad blood between the two superstar athletes. As usual, Shaq took the moment to throw a little subtle shade toward returning Lakers center, Dwight Howard in his tweet. He says,

“It’s all good bro, when I saw the interview, I thought you were talking about Dwite, is that how u spell his name lol.”

The Lakers recently reached a buyout agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies signing former center, Howard to a non-guaranteed contract, late last week. His return follows the Lakers loosing a key part of their back court after former Warrior, DeMarcus Cousins tore his ACL.

Check out Kobe and Shaq’s one-on-one interview below: