Kobe and Shaq: Mending Fences (Dwight related?)

[Kilroy]

Things better with Shaq

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8942694/kobe-bryant-says-shaquille-oneal-improved-relationship

"It was good to see him," Bryant said after O'Neal sat in courtside seats for the Lakers' 91-85 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. "I had a chance to kind of catch up with him a little bit after the [Miami] Heat game here at Staples [on Jan. 17], and tonight we got a couple good laughs, a couple good inside jokes."

Bryant met with O'Neal before the game under the basket on the end of the court near the Lakers' bench by the 40-year-old former center's baseline seats.

"Shaq and I have a really, really good relationship now," Bryant said of the 15-time All-Star with whom he teamed to capture three straight NBA championships from 2000 to '02.

"It's good. I think it's a good lesson for all of us."

"I think we appreciate each other more now than ever," Bryant said. "I think the further you get away from the history that you had together, the more you put perspective on it on how dominant we were.

"It's fun for us to kind of get together again and kind of reminisce on some of the old stories. It's fun. It's good to see him."

"The challenge for me was to show [O'Neal] and show everybody else that I could win without him," Bryant said. "And point proven. So, I'm fine either way. I took it as an honor and as a challenge to be a player that could play a supporting role and then move from that and take the leading role and win that way as well. I took a lot of pride of that, but I also took a lot of pride in kind of being a floor general and letting [O'Neal] do his thing."

O'Neal will be back in the Staples Center on April 2 when the Lakers will retire his No. 34 jersey at halftime of their game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Ok, I tend to read too much into stuff... But to me this sounds like it was all orchestrated for Howard's benefit/challenge...

To be clear, I'm sure Shaq had other reasons for being there, but this coupled with Stephen A Smith's assertion that Shaq and Kobe met privately about the Howard situation, makes me think that at least some of this show was put on to remind Howard of his place and light a fire under him.

Please don't hold your tongue... Let me know what you think.


It sounds like it may have rustled a few jimmies too...

"I didn't really pay attention to him," Howard said of O'Neal.

...Right... Shaquille O'Neal is sitting baseline... By his stats... And you didn't pay attention to him.

[Beethoven]

I am happy shaq and kobe has a good friendship now. Time mends everything. Kind of like magic and bird.
I hope shaq and Kobe continue to stay good friends and do causes together and such. Would be totally fascinating to see one day perhaps Kobe going into sports broadcasting and joining shaq as commentators or perhaps Kobe and shaq both becoming some sort of coaches for the lakers.
It would bring a tear to my eye honestly.

[Cashin out]

How is this Dwight related?

[leeprettyp]

Man I miss the dominant force of Shaq and Kobe smh... Crap I miss all the guys, Foxx, Horry, Fisher, even Devin George smh

[XXIV]

Glad to hear they now have a better relationship. Those threepeat teams were really enjoyable to watch, and you can't help but wonder how many titles those two could have won if they stuck together.

[BEazy]

Lakers retiring two jerseys in a year? Thats gotta be a record or something. Well earned Diesel!

[b shaw20]

If only he could take this "life lesson" and ensure it does not happen again with Howard.

Howard could easily be his 2 punch and "paint protector" that can allows us to compete for a championship. All he has to do is cater to D12's ego - talk hi up, keep him consistently involved and make a sincere attempt at creating a meaningful friendship.

I agree that not all teams have to get along in order to succeed, but D12 thrives in positive reinforcement and NEEDS to be liked. Give the dude what he needs and turn this ship around NOW.

[milesfides]

The only thing that matters is how Howard responds to it.

If it doesn't light a fire under him, then he has one less thing in common with the greats.

[The Prodigy]

If only he could take this "life lesson" and ensure it does not happen again with Howard.

Howard could easily be his 2 punch and "paint protector" that can allows us to compete for a championship. All he has to do is cater to D12's ego - talk hi up, keep him consistently involved and make a sincere attempt at creating a meaningful friendship.

I agree that not all teams have to get along in order to succeed, but D12 thrives in positive reinforcement and NEEDS to be liked. Give the dude what he needs and turn this ship around NOW.

I agree. Dwight can be a bit childish but Kobe must understand that if he walks the Lakers are screwed. Different people need different leadership styles. Dwight Howard will not respond well to the "tough love" approach. As the seasoned veteran and undisputed leader of the team, Kobe needs to switch up the way he deals with Dwight. Not only is this in the best interest of the Lakers, it's also in Kobe's best interest. His window of opportunity is shrinking more and more and his best shot at winning a title is by making sure Dwight stays rather than waiting for the next big free agent to come to LA.

[GeneralNash]

I think you are looking too much into it. These guys are older now and are able to let "the sweat roll off their back" as some would say. They both have moved on and appreciate what both of them have accomplished as Lakers.

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[Kilroy]

If Dwight has to be coddled in order to be productive, the Lakers are even more screwed than if he walks. There's no end to the concessions someone like that can demand...

Kobe's already done more than many thought he would for Dwight. He's said he's ready to hand the team over to him. He's talked to him. He's confronted him. He's gone into full-pass-the-ball mode... He's even joked around with him more than I thought possible.
The only thing he hasn't done is retire.

[leeprettyp]

If Dwight has to be coddled in order to be productive, the Lakers are even more screwed than if he walks. There's no end to the concessions someone like that can demand...

Kobe's already done more than many thought he would for Dwight. He's said he's ready to hand the team over to him. He's talked to him. He's confronted him. He's gone into full-pass-the-ball mode... He's even joked around with him more than I thought possible.
The only thing he hasn't done is retire.

Why is it so hard for people to get this. Its on Howard now. Put up or shut up time. No more blaming Kobe for this guys ways. What I saw yesterday I need to see on a nightly basis. This is the pro's this aint making sure the baby is burped smh

[Cashin out]

Dwight doesn't care about Shaq, it is the other way around Shaq for some reason is jealous of Dwight. Ever since that Superman dunk Shaq has been bashing D12 every chance he got. Shaq needs to grow up and quit acting like a baby he is 40yrs old time to grow up.

[Soulsphere]

after watching Dwight struggle....I doubt shaq is jealous. lol

[b shaw20]

kobe and dwight just need to realize they need each other to get what they both want. Period.

[Minge]

Kobe sacrificed his game with Shaq. He’s doing the same with Dwight.

[The Prodigy]

kobe and dwight just need to realize they need each other to get what they both want. Period.

This. They both need to make concessions.

[DEEP3CL]

Time heals wounds, both won away from each other. Now they realize how dominate they were.

[louizzle]

If Shaq and Kobe shared a relationship like this when they were still playing together they might've gone down as the best duo in NBA history.

[Patman]

Like the saying goes, you don't know what you got til it's gone.