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Shaq Remembers His Former Teammate and Friend Kobe Bryant

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Shaquille O’Neal shares a candid tribute to Kobe Bryant following the tragic death of his longtime friend and teammate.

The basketball world continues to process the January 26, 2020, helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others. On January 28, 2020, Shaquille O’Neal joined the TNT studio team at Staples Center for the “Remembering Kobe” pregame broadcast to reflect on his complex, championship-winning partnership with Bryant.

Key Storylines

• O’Neal revealed that he was exercising with his son and nephew when he first heard the news, initially dismissing the report as a hoax before confirming the tragedy through a series of phone calls.
• The former Lakers star noted that the loss has forced him to reevaluate his personal life, prompting him to reach out to individuals with whom he had past discrepancies to express love.
• O’Neal credited Bryant’s character, highlighting how the late star consistently reached out to check on his son, Shareef, following the younger O’Neal’s heart surgery.

The Personal Toll of the Loss

During the TNT broadcast, O’Neal sat on the court at Staples Center and struggled to contain his emotions while discussing the death of his “little brother.” He acknowledged that the grief is compounded by the personal loss of his own sister, Ayesha, who passed away in October 2019. O’Neal emphasized that he and Bryant were “similar guys” who shared a deep, mutual prioritization of family and business, even when their relationship was strained by their respective competitive natures.

I haven’t felt a pain that sharp in a while.

Reflection and Life Changes

The tragedy has altered O’Neal’s perspective on professional and personal relationships. Because the two men were both high-achieving, family-oriented individuals, O’Neal expressed a newfound urgency to move past old grievances. He admitted to the studio crew that the suddenness of the crash serves as a reminder of life’s uncertainty, leading him to actively reach out to others he had previously distanced himself from to mend fences and convey appreciation.

Public Mourning at Staples Center

Following his appearance on the “Remembering Kobe” broadcast, O’Neal did not immediately leave the arena environment. Outside of Staples Center, he was observed leading gathered fans in “Kobe” chants, serving as a focal point for the mourning supporters. The NBA had previously opted to postpone the Lakers-Clippers game scheduled for January 28, allowing the organization and its fanbase the space to process the massive loss before returning to competition.

The Lakers are now set to return to the floor at Staples Center on Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers, marking the team’s first game since the tragedy.