Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal‘s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers is perhaps one of the most memorable in NBA history, largely for the drama that clouded the championship seasons.
O’Neal and Bryant publicly reconciled years later, but their angst towards one another likely stopped them from winning upwards of five or six championships together.
Following the tragic passing of Bryant on January 26, O’Neal was very open about how it affected him. His willingness to speak so freely about the sadness he was feeling was appreciated by everybody, but added to the heartbreak of the situation as well.