Los Angeles Lakers: 6 reasons why Kobe Bryant was wrong about winning 12 rings

Time heals all wounds and reflection sometimes breeds wisdom.

When Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant sat down for that 1-on-1 interview for Player’s Only on NBA TV, the vibe was much different from the earlier Magic Johnson/Isiah Thomas one.

This relationship is one of the most strange success stories in NBA history. They respect each other but it’s almost like a truce could end at any time.

What drove the other nuts is what made the Lakers almost unbeatable for a three-year period. Kobe Bryant was right when he said that if O’Neal had his work ethic, he might be the best ever. O’Neal readily admits he coasted through the regular season at times, leaving Bryant to do the heavy lifting.

But would Kobe Bryant be the icon the Lakers fans know him as today? One thing we should know is if Shaq stays in L.A.. these things don’t happen.

Kobe Bryant’s 81 point game does not happen.

Kobe Bryant would not grow into the iconic player that is in the G.O.A.T. conversation almost daily on social media.

Kobe Bryant does not get the full understanding of needing help with a scheme that works instead of trying to will his team to victory every single night for two years until the Gasol trade.

In short, the “Mamba Mentality” is a cute catchphrase instead of what it is known today.

Was Kobe Bryant wrong in calling Shaquille O’Neal lazy? It depends. Everyone in the NBA can play. The numbers that a “lazy” O’Neal put up made him one of the top 50 players of all-time. Old clips of his dunk on Chris Dudley years ago was just scary. Plus nobody has Kobe Bryant’s focus outside of a guy named Michael Jordan, who played in Chicago and dominated the 1990’s.

The one thing Kobe Bryant was definitely wrong about was the 12 rings.