There’s no denying that with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant on the roster at the same time, the Los Angeles Lakers had something special.
The three rings the two captured working together says plenty enough about that, but many believe (and rightfully so) that the Los Angeles Lakers mid 2000’s dynasty could have become one of the greatest – if not the greatest – in NBA history had the two been able to work through their differences.
Alas, they weren’t able to do so and Shaq ended up forcing his way out of Hollywood while Bryant continued on without him.
It’s a decision that Kobe Bryant now wishes he could reverse, as he ironically noted on Shaq’s official podcast, suggesting he was an idiot and wishes the two would have continued on together.
Kobe admits he was “an idiot when I was a kid” — and explains that he should’ve kept his mouth shut instead of griping about his beef with Shaq in the media.
“I think having our debates within the press was something I wish would’ve been avoided.”
As for Shaq, his big regret was leaving Los Angeles — saying, “I definitely did not want to leave L.A., but you know that’s how you’ve got to talk when you’re in business, especially when you think you’re in control.”
He added, “A lot of stuff was said out of the heat of the moment.”
Most definitely a woulda, coulda, shoulda. You have to wonder how things would have turned out had Shaq and Kobe stayed together on the Lakers.
