Shaquille O’Neal Offered Isaiah Rider $10,000 To Fight Kobe Bryant

Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were brilliant on the floor. However, the tension between these two was more than obvious. The mighty duo played together on the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2004. They won three straight NBA titles, but they weren’t friends outside the court.

In one of his interviews, Isiah Rider shared a story that confirms the tension between the Lakers’ greats. Rider went on Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes’ podcast “All The Smoke,” Isaiah Rider to share his experience.

Rider went to LA in 2001. At that point, Shaq told him he had $10,000 in cash. The only thing he was supposed to do is fight the Black Mamba during practice. Interestingly, Shaq made his proposal just three days into Rider’s tenure with the Lakers. This story is confusing and hilarious at the same time.

“When I first get to the Lakers, Shaq tells me, if you and Kobe get into it, it’s 10 G’s in the locker…This is three days into practice…I’m like, ‘Man, come on, you playing, man.’ ‘There’s 10 G’s in one dollar bills, if you ever get into it and you handle your business, grab that’…I couldn’t believe it, I’m like ‘Man, these boys are crazy, bro’…But this is my thing: I would’ve been off that team so fast if I laid a hand on that man.”

Shaquille and Kobe became friends

Of course, O’Neal and Kobe fixed their relationship and the tension was gone after they both retired from the game. Rider’s story only gives us a closer look at the feud between the legends. It was crazy and chaotic. But, they won championships together, and that’s the only thing that matters. The Lakers had great success when both Shaq and Kobe played.

Kobe and his little Gianna died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26. Shaq delivered a very emotional speech during Kobe’s memorial. He tried to crack a joke to make things easier, but it was nothing like that. He really liked Kobe, and he probably felt bad for all the bad things that happened in the past.

Kobe will be remembered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The world will never forget his greatness and competitiveness. NBA players know that Kobe was probably the most competitive athlete on this planet. He was pretty serious on the floor, and that helped him become a star. Many players won’t forget his maneuvers on the court. Kobe was an exceptional player. The sidelines at Staples Center will be empty without him. Rest in peace, Mamba!