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Who said basketball players
don’t have egos??? Prior to the 2003-04 basketball season
in training camp Shaq told the media that Kobe should try to be
more of a passer rather then a scorer until his knee injury was
fully healed. Kobe wasn’t pleased by those remarks and responded
that he didn’t appreciate advice from Shaq on how to play
the guard position. Shaq, not to be outdone, replied that Kobe
didn’t need advice on how to play his position, but he needs
advice on how to play team ball. Shaq also said that he would
voice his opinions whenever he felt they were necessary because
the Lakers were HIS team. In an interview with ESPN Kobe said,
“But this is his team, so it’s time for him to act
like it. That means no more coming into camp fat and out of shape…
It also means no more blaming others for our team’s failure…
Also, “my team” doesn’t mean only when we win.”.
After the Lakers lost to the Pistons in the NBA finals that year
there was much talk that either Kobe or Shaq would not remain
on the team. When Kobe signed a new contract with the Lakers Shaq
asked to be traded and got his wish going to the Miami Heat. After
being traded Shaq began to publicly hurl insulting remarks about
Kobe, calling him a ‘punk’ and a ‘clown’.
Kobe retaliated by telling the media that Shaq would pay women
up to $1 Million to keep quiet about their relationships with
him. Shaq’s retort was that he wasn’t ‘buying
love’ but that Kobe was (a reference to multi-million dollar
ring Kobe purchased for his wife after his rape case was made
public. The feud cooled down and prior to a game in January 2006
the two shook hands and hugged signaling an end of the feud. |
