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Why Shaquille O’Neal wanted to make Kobe Bryant ‘upset’, he used a clever Michael Jordan jab
Credit: Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP/Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts via Getty Images

Why Shaquille O’Neal wanted to make Kobe Bryant ‘upset’, he used a clever Michael Jordan jab

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aikansh Chaudhary  |  Last updated Aug 15, 2025 8:00 PM ET

Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant had their differences during their time together with the Los Angeles Lakers.

However, they didn’t allow it to be an obstacle in their quest to win multiple NBA Championships as members of the Los Angeles Lakers.

After all, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant led the Purple and Gold to three consecutive NBA titles. But it’s safe to say if the two hadn’t had an ego clash, they could have won many more.

Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images

Shaquille O’Neal on deliberately making Kobe Bryant ‘upset’

During their time together, the Shaq-Kobe duo was unstoppable. While Bryant had a phenomenal work ethic, the same could not be said for O’Neal.

This slowly resulted in the two stars drifting apart and Shaq getting traded to the Miami Heat in 2004. But even before that, the Big Aristotle recently revealed that he deliberately made his Hall of Fame teammate upset.

“I became an a______. Because earlier I was focused on a relationship. But now I’m focusing on the task…

“If I know you’re going to give me your best rhetoric when you’re upset, I’m gonna make you upset. O’Neal said on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard.

Now, that’s one way to motivate a teammate, but as we know, the method worked and resulted in a three-peat.

Shaquille O’Neal used Michael Jordan’s name to make Kobe Bryant angry

Adding more to this strategy, O’Neal explained the biggest reason behind angering the late NBA great.

“I know Kobe’s going to be a monster when he’s mad and it would drive him crazy,” Shaq continued.

Keeping that in mind, O’Neal went as far as using Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan’s name in his insults directed at the Mamba.

“You ain’t s___. That f______ Michael Jordan jumper you’re doing is not going to work,” O’Neal concluded.

Although Bryant held MJ in the utmost respect, knowing his incredible competitive spirit, O’Neal’s trash talk worked in getting the best out of him.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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