When one thinks of the most menacing duos in the NBA, the list probably commences with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The tandem was so ferocious and domineering, that a three-peat seemed to be an underachievement. Their perceived success failed due to the difference in mindsets. As imposing and shrewd as Shaq was, he didn’t have the alienated work ethic of the Black Mamba. Moreover, each of them was the alpha in their mind, ready to stake their authority on the team.

However, for a brief moment, every strained relationship is beautiful and smooth-flowing. There was a certain spell where even Shaq and Kobe, two stubborn individuals, embraced the presence of one another. It was when Phil Jackson, one of the most legendary coaches in NBA history, put things into perspective appreciated by both. They made compromises and set aside their pride, ultimately leading to their incredible three-peat(still the last in NBA history). Yet Jackson’s involvement didn’t allow them to truly be grateful. That only happened in 2001.

NBA Bay Area correspondent, Vishal Kolar represents EssentiallySports in this exclusive and wonderful conversation with Leonard Armato, the brain behind Shaq’s brand. Together, they discuss Shaq and Kobe’s dynamic and the particular moment that changed it all for good!

Vishal: “One of my favorite stories with Phil is how it would always seem like Kobe would go to Dr. Buss and Shaq would go to Phil when you know they had problems. And it seems like that was kind of favorites they were playing. If it was up to Phil, correct me if I’m wrong, but he would have actually chosen to keep Shaq?”

Armato: “Here’s what happened. They started having conflicts. Shaq was, you know, the alpha male. It was his team. He was a veteran with lots of accolades in the NBA already. Kobe came in as a rookie, and wasn’t willing to defer to anybody. So there’s instant conflict. Then they figured out after a few years through the help of Phil how to work together. And I will never forget when Shaq won an award. It was some big award, and we asked Kobe to present the award. And so Kobe came in and actually agreed to present Shaq with this award and then Shaq turned around and said, ‘Thank you very much, Kobe Bryant is the best player in basketball’”

The moment in question is from the 2001 Sports Spectacular Event, which raised funds for the Genetics Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai Hospital at the time. Bryant stood on stage in front of thousands and acknowledged the monstrous strength and basketball phenom that was Shaq. “The most dominant player in the world” were the words the five-time champion used to introduce Shaq. If you know the Diesel, that’s the title he adores more than anything. In return, Shaq returned the kindness calling Kobe Bryant “the greatest player in the game”.

The duo would embellish their resumes from that moment, adding two more championships to adorn their unconquerable partnership. Unfortunately, in the years that followed, the friction arose again, seemingly out of Shaq, not willing to put in the same effort and dedication as Bryant. In 2004, Shaq would be traded to the Miami Heat, and that would begin the tense saga between Shaq and Kobe Bryant once again.

“It was really disappointing that the relationship actually went back the other way,” Armato said as he reflected on the times of managing Shaquille O’Neal right around this time.

Shaq and Kobe Bryant found their way back in 2009

Once traded to the Heat, both Shaq and Bryant embarked on a mission to see who gets the last laugh. The big Diesel began vengeful of Bryant, going as far as looking over him when they faced for the first time since his trade. Their feud only escalated with time. Shaq dropped lyrics to berate his former star teammate. It looked like they would take it to the grave until the All-Star game in 2009.

It was Shaquille O’Neal’s last time at the event. That night what happened in Phoenix was thrilling and nostalgic. Bryant and Shaq combined once again and took the game away from the East. In the end, they were named Co-MVPs for their parlayed damage. After the press conference, Shaq was prepared to give the trophy to Bryant. But the Mamba turned to Shaq’s son Shareef and handed the trophy to him as a souvenir.

It touched the gentle giant deeply. “I was kind of surprised that he remembered his name. He was like, ‘Here you go, Shareef. Here’s the trophy.’ Then I knew everything that happened was silly,” he admitted according to USA Today.

Nonetheless, while they went back to peaceful terms, their competitive edge never faded. When Bryant won his fifth title his exact words were “I just got one more than Shaq”. When they met face-to-face, the Diesel admitted to his rage when he saw Bryant get the fifth championship. That was the essence of their relationship. There was always mutual respect and admiration, but it was about proving who was the commanding figure.

End of the day, Shaq only remembers their partnership in one manner. “But if we had it all over again, I’d do it the same way, because we were the most enigmatic, most controversial, most dominant 1-2 punch in Laker history — period, point blank,” he said ahead of Bryant’s last All-Star game.

No matter how NBA history remembers them for their brilliance, the names Shaq and Kobe will always remain side-by-side.

To hear more from the man himself, check this video out!