Shaq-Kobe Strife Baffles Kareem...

[Jeffx]

(from today's New York Daily News)

The relationship between Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson wasn't perfect, but they learned to play through their differences and understood how much they needed each other.

Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant are experiencing their own relationship problems. But instead of a compromise on the floor, the new generation of Lakers All-Stars may be headed for divorce court.

"I don't understand why they can't get along," Abdul-Jabbar said yesterday. "Shaq and Kobe, those two guys are the nucleus of a world championship team. I don't get why there is such intense personal animosity between them. It really doesn't make much sense."

During their 10 seasons together, Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson appeared in eight NBA Finals.

"Management did the best they could to keep the right kind of players around," he said. "They got the right people there now. It's unfortunate that there is so much animosity there that it seems like it is impossible for Shaq and Kobe to reach some type of accommodations with each other and enjoy their success."


Kareem hit the nail on the head. These babies need to grow up, realize where their bread is buttered, and play some damn ball.

[Jackal]

Their ego's are much larger than of Magic & Kareem.

It was all about winning back then, now it's about personal recognition.

The management didn't do jack shit about keeping right players, they just rode on whatever Jerry West left behind. They were finished last year, then Malone & Payton decided to sign. The Lakers have been going down self destruction for awhile, now it's just happening.

Stupid Mitch Kupchak + Buss.

[Jeffx]

Well, with the right supporting cast, Shaq & Kobe can still win championships together. I can't believe they're breaking up a good thing over nonsense.

[c_cryder15]

Alright. You have two of the leagues best players on one team. Of coarse they are gonna fight. They both want the team to themselves. Y not. If u were the best player around u would want the team to urself. Dont lie cuz me and u know thats true!!

[Amphatoast]

pressure is all on kobe....everyone is saying he can't win without Shaq....people discredit Kobe cuz he has Shaq and Shaq is dominant. It's mainly on Kobe, all the MJ comparision, the potential to be possibly the best all-time after growing up and seeing the greatest all-time play...so much pressure on Kobe..."can I win without shaq?"
"Can I be better than MJ and set new standards?"

[Andrew]

Alright. You have two of the leagues best players on one team. Of coarse they are gonna fight. They both want the team to themselves. Y not. If u were the best player around u would want the team to urself. Dont lie cuz me and u know thats true!!

But that's the point of the article. Magic and Kareem were two of the NBA's best back in the days of the Showtime Lakers, yet they found a way to co-exist. Whatever personal differences some of the NBA's greatest duos have had, they managed to put them aside.

I agree that management is somewhat to blame. They've never really healed the rift properly, and show varying degrees of loyalty to Shaq and Kobe. One moment, Kobe is being fined for taking verbal shots at Shaq, the next Kobe is the Lakers' top priority and they are willing to deal Shaq should he want out.

[twolvezfanfoever]

You should never show loyalty to just one person.and if they cant deal shaq this offseason,theres just gonna be problems again.there gonna get worse then he'll just leave after next season for nothin.now if kobe somehow gets convicted,i will laugh at Kupchak and Buss for the rest of my life for dependin one guy

[c_cryder15]

Yes i know Kareem and Magic were the same way but today is a different time. Back then people were team players and now people just think about themselves. Noones gonna change them. They might as well get rid of one cuz if they dont they arent gonna make it anywhere.

[ATTENTIONWHORE]

Yes i know Kareem and Magic were the same way but today is a different time. Back then people were team players and now people just think about themselves. Noones gonna change them. They might as well get rid of one cuz if they dont they arent gonna make it anywhere.

Basketball is meant to be a TEAM SPORT!!!
I was watching the 1975 NBA All-Star Game; so many great passes and plays that involved the whole team!!!
Basketball nowadays is getting more boring by the day with players changing teams due to MONEY and just plain not playing as a team. If you watch NBA TV's NBA's Greatest Games; you will know what I mean..great plays back in the early days of the NBA!!!

[Riot]

ISOLATION!

that's the famous play now.

[Jeffx]

Hey Andrew, Bird & McHale, Reed & Frazier, they had differences too. But it never got in the way of winning. Imagine where the T-Wolves would be if Marbury & Garnett stayed together.

I'm really surprised at Shaq - I mean, he's been in the league for over 10 years. Instead of acting like a wise veteran, he's coming off as a spoiled kid.

[Drex]

I'm really surprised at Shaq - I mean, he's been in the league for over 10 years. Instead of acting like a wise veteran, he's coming off as a spoiled kid.

He's acting like a pissed-off veteran, IMO. We all know those things about the Lakers managment. The promises and stuff. The spoiled kid is Kobe, who wants the team, and ruined a dynasty.

[twolvezfanfoever]

I hope he does so these future spoiled kids will know what happen when you try to run the game

[air gordon]

Basketball is meant to be a TEAM SPORT!!!
I was watching the 1975 NBA All-Star Game; so many great passes and plays that involved the whole team!!!
Basketball nowadays is getting more boring by the day with players changing teams due to MONEY and just plain not playing as a team. If you watch NBA TV's NBA's Greatest Games; you will know what I mean..great plays back in the early days of the NBA!!!

you're using an all star game as your reference point for team work

boring basketball? this past season with a good one, despite the finals being anti climatic. many great playoff series. and this offseason has to be one of the most exciting offseasons in quite a while with so many quality FA's!

just another drunk cub fan

[ATTENTIONWHORE]

Basketball is meant to be a TEAM SPORT!!!
I was watching the 1975 NBA All-Star Game; so many great passes and plays that involved the whole team!!!
Basketball nowadays is getting more boring by the day with players changing teams due to MONEY and just plain not playing as a team. If you watch NBA TV's NBA's Greatest Games; you will know what I mean..great plays back in the early days of the NBA!!!

you're using an all star game as your reference point for team work

boring basketball? this past season with a good one, despite the finals being anti climatic. many great playoff series. and this offseason has to be one of the most exciting offseasons in quite a while with so many quality FA's!

just another drunk cub fan

Well...here goes...Let me explain:

1. All-Star Game=Great Players Playing As A Team
2. Finals=OK...not the best ever...(in terms of "team play")IMO(Lakers)
3. I don't like the fact that players keep switching teams...it makes you think twice about your favorite team...Ex:"Will they trade Shaq?" "If they do, will/should I still cheer for them?"; but hey, it is a business...
4. Oh yeah..I'm 16..so I can't drink...and White Sox suck