logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Shaquille O'Neal Speaks Candidly as He Remembers Late Friend Kobe Bryant a Year after His Death

Gracious Egedegbe
Jan 22, 2021
02:50 P.M.

Basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal was all about his late friend, Kobe Bryant, as he reflected on how he has been handling his death, nearly a year after his deadly helicopter crash.

Advertisement

Almost one year after the world mourned the tragic passing of basketball icon Kobe Bryant, his former team member and longtime pal, Shaquille O'Neal, still affirms that the late star's death was rather abrupt. He said in his latest daytime chat:

"He was already a legend. He was already a guy that will never be forgotten, but he was definitely, definitely gone too soon."

Kobe Bryant in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the NBA Playoff at Staples Center on April 26, 2007. | Photo: Getty Images

Kobe Bryant in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the NBA Playoff at Staples Center on April 26, 2007. | Photo: Getty Images

O'Neal further poured out his heart when he recently joined the third hour of NBC's "Today." The basketball retiree virtually shared his heartfelt feelings with Craig Melvin as the first anniversary of Bryant's passing draws near.

The sports legend had a sober moment where he talked about the unique relationship he and Bryant had and how he has been etching the late star's memory in the most expressive ways. He explained:

Advertisement

"You know, it's still kind of hard. [I] redid my living room, redid my gym. His picture is up on the wall."

Advertisement

O'Neal, who works as a sports analyst, also shared that he recently visited Bryant's parents and was impressed by how strong they were amid grieving over their famous son's death.

They believed the tension between them would push them to do better on the basketball court .

In the 1990s, O'Neal played side-by-side Bryant during their stint as Lakers stars. Many sports experts attest to the fact that the pair were a force to reckon with on the basketball court.

Bryant and O'Neal mostly played as a tag team and brought victory to their team, often amid controversies, the rocky moments in their friendship and feud. The duo played together for the Lakers for eight seasons.

Advertisement

During their rocky times, the famous duo was quite public about their issues. Bryant would often be upset about O'Neal's work ethics and conditioning, while O'Neal did not fancy the late player's high-volume shooting.

Although it seemed like they were at loggerheads, the duo kept the dynamics of their friendship this way because they believed the tension between them would push them to do better on the basketball court.

Advertisement

Their feud eventually came to an end, and fans watched them gradually work out their differences. From 2009 to 2015, the pair publicly praised and commended each other.

In 2015, O'Neal and Bryant hashed things out on the former's podcast, and this helped seal their reconciliation. From then on, fans witnessed more of their public show of friendship up until the star's untimely death.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts

Ryan O’Neal Still Had Farrah Fawcett’s Portrait above His Bed — Pics of His Life in Home Where He Lived with 2 Dogs

April 29, 2024

NBA Star LeBron James Was a 'Nomad' until He Was 9 and One Person Offered Him Shelter

March 05, 2024

Farrah Fawcett Set Strict Parameters for Inheritance Use by Ginger-Haired Son with Ryan O'Neal – Details

April 27, 2024

Wedding Photos of ‘Wonder Woman’s Lynda Carter’s Lookalike Daughter in a Breathtaking Corset Gown at Lake Como

May 30, 2024

'Just Amazing': Magic Johnson's Son EJ, 32, Stuns in High Heels & Skimpy Shorts Exposing His Long Legs

June 20, 2024

One Actor's Ex Questioned in Matthew Perry's Death – What to Know About Her

July 02, 2024

Why Did Caitlin Clark's WNBA Salary Cause Outrage Among Fans?

April 19, 2024

'General Hospital’ Star Abruptly Died at 37 — His Last Post Caused Strong Reaction among Fans

May 27, 2024

Inside Ron Howard's $27.5M Mansion with a Sports Center Where Actor Raised His Children

June 07, 2024

These Twins Lost Their Star Dad at 15 – He Fathered Them in His 60s With His Fifth Wife

April 04, 2024

OJ Simpson Dies — Family Speaks Up with a Request in the Wake of His Passing

April 12, 2024

Liam Neeson’s ‘Handsome’ 27-Year-Old Son Looks Like His ‘Twin’ Now, Causing Reactions

March 20, 2024

Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck Make the Headlines after Getting a Flat Tire amid Romantic Date

March 19, 2024

Katherine Jackson Pushes Back against Her Grandson in Court

March 27, 2024