Derek Fisher provided new insights into the often-discussed tensions between Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant during his appearance on “Podcast P with Paul George,” presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment. Fisher, who played alongside the duo during the Los Angeles Lakers’ early 2000s dynasty, shared how Bryant’s relentless drive for greatness may have clashed with O’Neal’s approach to the game.
According to Fisher, Kobe’s frustration stemmed from his commitment to becoming the greatest of all time. “Kobe started to feel like, ‘In order for me to be the GOAT that I know I’m capable of, I’m willing to put the time in, wake up at 4 a.m., play through injuries, do everything,’” Fisher said. He added that Bryant questioned why he was being asked to hold back when O’Neal, who had equal or greater potential, wasn’t showing the same level of dedication.
Fisher described how this shift changed the dynamic within the team. “That was the year where it changed from healthy tension—something great teams need—to something more like one guy standing in the way of the other,” Fisher explained. Despite this, Fisher emphasized that the rest of the team refused to take sides, ensuring both stars felt supported.
The five-time NBA champion also discussed how Bryant channeled his competitive fire into the Lakers’ 2009 and 2010 championship runs. After the Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals, Bryant became obsessed with redemption. “We were obsessed with, ‘Nah, bro, they got us in ’08, but that will never happen again,’” Fisher recalled.
Fisher credited Bryant’s leadership and motivation for driving the team’s success in subsequent seasons. While media narratives suggested Bryant was fixated on proving he could win without Shaq, Fisher offered a broader perspective. “It wasn’t just about showing Shaq. It was also about proving to the writers and critics who said Kobe couldn’t lead a team to a championship without Shaq,” Fisher said.
The Lakers’ back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010 cemented Bryant’s legacy as a leader who could succeed on his own terms. Fisher noted that the rivalry with the Celtics and the lingering doubts from the media fueled Bryant’s determination.
The Lakers’ early 2000s dynasty remains one of the most dominant stretches in NBA history, and Fisher’s perspective adds another layer to the story of two legends whose paths to greatness intersected.
