Shaq Reveals How Kobe Bryant Would’ve Reacted To LeBron’s Lakers Title

Shaquille O’Neal is more than happy to see this Los Angeles Lakers team win a championship. He also believes that Lakers legend Kobe Bryant would have been proud of the team’s most recent title. It was the 17^th title in team history.

In his interview with ESPN, O’Neal talked about the current Lakers team and his thoughts on both superstars.

“After all that we went through [in 2020], it was a good ending for them to win the championship,” the NBA icon said. “I am sure if [Bryant] was still here, he would definitely be proud and showing his love and support on social media.”

Kobe Bryant would have been proud of the Lakers following their title run

O’Neal followed every move LA made. He was watching LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the rest of the guys win their title. It happened months after Kobe’s tragic death. However, he doesn’t want LeBron and AD to try and compare to him and the Black Mamba. Shaq and Kobe won three straight titles from 2000 to 2002.

“They will never be the next Shaq and Kobe,” he said.

The Hall of Famer said LeBron and Davis will try to push their own legacy.

“We don’t need them to catch up to us,” O’Neal said. “Kobe and myself were not trying to catch Magic [Johnson] and Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]. … Kobe and I, [our] legacy will never be duplicated. Or imitated.

“We don’t want to get into the situation where they can be the next us because there will never be a next us. Magic and Kareem can never be us. We could never be Magic and Kareem. And we can never be LeBron and AD.”

Shaq says Kobe would be proud of LeBron and AD and they will forge their own legacy. But Shaq tells ESPN that Lakers' legendary duos shouldn't be compared: "Kobe and I, [our] legacy will never be duplicated. Or imitated…there will never be a next us." https://t.co/me8VvsVw8W

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) December 17, 2020

Shaq also made it clear that AD is not a center. This came as a response to the question about Davis’ dominance following his first ring. Shaq urged everyone to start making a difference between power forwards and big men, adding that Davis is not a center. He definitely wished the Lakers big man a lot of luck, encouraging him “to stay hungry.” Davis can easily win a few more titles.