Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were the two faces of the Los Angeles Laker dynasty of the early 2000s, despite having more than a few differences on and off the court.
Those differences don’t matter Sunday after Bryant’s death in a helicopter accident. O’Neal posted an emotional tribute to Bryant on Instagram, calling Bryant his “brother” and saying there were “no words to express the pain I’m going through right now.” He also paid tribute to Bryant’s daughter GiGi, who O’Neal referred to as his niece.
Shaq and Kobe definitely did not always get along during their playing days, and they sometimes traded barbs even after both had retired. At the end of the day, though, Shaq’s comments here and Bryant’s recent interactions with Shaq’s son Shareef make it clear that the two thought of each other as family. That’s why Shaq is no doubt hurting a whole lot after Bryant’s death.
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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
Tributes to 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
– 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
More coverage:
– Media errors, rumors, poor judgment run rampant in reporting of Kobe Bryant news
– Kobe Bryant checked in on Shaq’s son Shareef morning of helicopter crash
– No, Rick Fox did not die in helicopter crash that killed Kobe, Gianna Bryant
– Lakers fans start memorial to Kobe Bryant outside Staples Center
– Kobe Bryant’s last tweet was congratulating LeBron James on passing him
– Sports world stunned over Kobe Bryant news
– Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash – dead at 41
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