Shaq calls Kobe "probably the greatest Laker ever"

Jun 17, 2010, 6:05 PM EDT

Well, this was unexpected. Free agent center Shaquille O’Neal, formerly of the Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, and Cavaliers, recently sat down for an interview with Fox Sports Radio. During the interview, he had some extremely kind words for Kobe Bryant, with whom Shaq famously feuded both during and after O’Neal’s time with the Lakers:

“First, of all, [Kobe] is definitely a closer. Right now, he’s thought of as the greatest player in the Lakers history, surpassing Magic Johnson and Jerry West, especially if he wins this championship, he will probably go down as the greatest Laker ever…

The guys who are making [the comments that Bryant needs a MJ-like championship-winning shot to cement his legacy] and comparisons are obviously the guys who cannot play. The kid has 26,000 points, he passed Jerry West already. He’s on his way to winning his fifth title. He doesn’t need a signature closing move. It’s all about winning the championships, and like I said, if he wins this championship, he will go down as the greatest Laker ever.”

Shaq and Kobe have always vacillated between showing each other respect and throwing barbs at one another, but this seems like a genuine compliment from Shaq to Kobe. Presumably, this means that Shaq no longer wants Kobe to describe the texture and flavor of Mr. O’Neal’s hindquarters.

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jeremy - Jul 12, 2010 at 12:53 PM

A lot of ppl forget that when jordan came back they didnt even make it to the finals, orlando with shaq and penny went on to get swept by the dream and the rockets. So how many rings did shaq when in orlando? Exactly. How many finals game de he win with that team? Exactly? His 4 rings have something in common, kobe and wade, did he win wit lbj? nope. did he win with nash and amare? nope.Now on to gasol, gasol never won a playoff game b4 he came to the lakers. y r bosh wade and lbj teaming up, cuz they know the teams that they were on wouldnt even make it to a possible matchup against the lakers let alone winning it all.

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james - Jul 13, 2010 at 3:17 PM

kobe is the greatest basketball player of all time the man is better than jordan why when michael jordan talks smack no one cares but when kobe talks smack everyone is hating on him

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Superwebi - Aug 4, 2010 at 9:38 PM

Stop drinkin that hateraide people, just accept he is a GREAT b-ball player!!! Enough said!!!

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