Shaq shares awesome story about Kobe Bryant's work ethic as a rookie

Shaquille O’Neal is understandably crushed about the death of Kobe Bryant and Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna, but it’s hard to imagine someone who has better Kobe stories to share than Shaq. The big man was kind enough to pass one along on Thursday night.

During TNT’s “Inside the NBA” broadcast, Shaq told an awesome story that illustrated how intense Kobe’s work ethic was. During Bryant’s rookie year in 1996, Shaq said Kobe was not getting much playing time so he would spend time working off to the side by himself in practice when then-Lakers coach Del Harris was going over plays. As Shaq recalls, Kobe would work up a full sweat while working on his skills with an invisible basketball and talking to himself.

.@SHAQ reminisces about Kobe’s unique practice style during shootaround. pic.twitter.com/aX9VKmI41y

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 31, 2020

“We’re all just looking like, ‘What is this kid doing?'” Shaq said. “Full speed, sweating, just pump-faking and moving around without a ball. Talking to himself like, ‘You can’t guard me!’ Just talking to himself.”

Kobe was only 18 during his first season with the Lakers, so that gives you an idea of the kind of drive he had from a young age. When you hear stories like that, it makes it a lot easier to understand how he won five championships and became one of the most successful players in NBA history.

Shaq was understandably overcome with emotion while discussing Kobe’s death earlier in the week, but we’re looking forward to more Kobe stories from him going forward. While the two were not shy about the fact that they had a complicated relationship, they won three championships together and were one of the most dynamic duos in NBA history. We want to hear everything Shaq is willing to share.

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Other victims of the helicopter crash:
– John Altobelli, junior college baseball coach, also died in helicopter crash
– Christina Mauser, girls’ basketball coach, among the helicopter crash victims
– Sarah Chester, daughter Payton were also killed in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash
– Ara Zobayan was the pilot in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash

Tributes to Kobe:
– Vanessa Bryant posts first Instagram message since death of Kobe, Gianna
– NBA players changing jersey numbers in honor of Kobe Bryant
– Clippers leave Kobe Bryant’s retired Lakers jerseys uncovered at Staples Center
– Bill Belichick shares touching anecdote in tribute to Kobe Bryant
– UConn honors Gianna Bryant with own jersey, spot on the bench
– Jeanie Buss shares emotional tribute to Kobe, Gianna Bryant on Instagram
– Kobe Bryant could have street named after him near Staples Center
– Video: Shaq gets emotional talking about Kobe Bryant on TNT
– LeBron James had inspirational message for Lakers during meeting about Kobe
– Dallas Mavericks retire Kobe Bryant’s No. 24 jersey
– Video: Raptors, Spurs start game with amazing tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Shaq posts heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Michael Jordan releases statement on death of ‘little brother’ Kobe Bryant
– Video: Doc Rivers breaks down crying talking about Kobe Bryant
– Phil Jackson calls Kobe Bryant ‘a chosen one’ in statement on his death
– NBA commissioner Adam Silver issues statement on death of Kobe Bryant
– Video: Dwyane Wade posts emotional message reacting to Kobe Bryant’s death
– Kendrick Perkins extends olive branch to Kevin Durant after Kobe Bryant’s death
– Gilbert Arenas vows to begin coaching career like Kobe Bryant urged him to
– Video: Emotional Mike Breen sums up NBA world’s emotions about Kobe Bryant’s death
– Trae Young’s huge game was full of Kobe Bryant-related statistical coincidences