NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal recently shared insights into his approach to motivating the late Kobe Bryant during their early years with the Los Angeles Lakers.
O’Neal recounted trying to slow Bryant down when he first joined the team, but he quickly realized the rookie’s relentless drive could be harnessed.
“I used to say things to make him mad on purpose because I knew that’s when he’d play his best,” O’Neal said, via HoopsHype. “I’d tell him things like, ‘You’re not Michael Jordan,’ or ‘They got this kid LeBron in Cleveland who’s better than you.’”
The intention was not to belittle Bryant but to push him to excel, O’Neal explained on The OGs podcast.
O’Neal’s tactics proved successful, as the duo won three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002, solidifying their legacy as one of the most formidable pairings in NBA history.
Despite the intense rivalry and competitive spirit between them, O’Neal emphasized their deep mutual respect, highlighting the camaraderie they shared.
“When we won that first championship, people thought we hated each other,” O’Neal noted. “But look at the footage—who’s the first person I’m jumping into the arms of? Kobe.”
