Shaquille O’Neal and the late Kobe Bryant experienced tremendous success during their time playing for the LA Lakers squad.
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal (Via Sports Illustrated Vault)
On February 8th, the Los Angeles Lakers will commemorate this by revealing a statue outside their home arena before their match against the Denver Nuggets. This gesture signifies a significant moment for the five-time NBA champion, who will join a prestigious group of former Lakers that includes , , , , and . As Shaquille O’Neal and his TNT crew discussed the importance of this event and Bryant’s impactful career with the Lakers, they paid homage to the late Black Mamba.
Throughout their tenure with the Lakers, Shaquille O’Neal and Bryant shared a strong friendship and partnership. Their connection was evident both on and off the court, although they faced challenges that strained their relationship. Despite this, they eventually reconciled and repaired their friendship, showcasing resilience and mutual respect. Overall, their partnership was characterized by its wholesomeness and enduring strength.
In the most recent episode of ‘NBA on TNT’, O’Neal opened up about the profound emotions evoked by the commemoration, reflecting on their time together. He said,
The statue honors the legend, acknowledging his remarkable contributions and unforgettable career with the Los Angeles Lakers, thus celebrating his life and legacy. Furthermore, his talent, work ethic, and passion for the game have inspired numerous athletes and fans worldwide. The statue serves as a representation of that inspiration for future generations.
“I’m privileged to have played alongside him… This is an obvious decision… We knew he was going to have his jerseys retired, you knew there was going to be a Kobe statue.” 💯@SHAQ on the @Lakers revealing Kobe’s statue on 2/8/24 pic.twitter.com/4Vs3lOYPpp
Following the unveiling of Kobe Bryant’s statue at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that they will don their Black Mamba uniforms during their game against the Denver Nuggets.
Inspired by Bryant’s legendary career with the Lakers, the team initially introduced the Black Mamba uniforms as their inaugural City Edition uniforms in the 2017-18 season.
Reviving the uniform is another way for the Lakers to pay tribute to Bryant on his special day, which will be filled with memorable tributes. Throughout his 20 seasons with the Lakers, Kobe was an 18-time NBA All-Star and a five-time NBA Champion.