The Shaquille O’Neal-Kobe Bryant partnership, though ultimately doomed, produced three NBA championships and stories for generations to come.
O’Neal was recently asked who he’d pick to team up with if he had a choice between Kobe and LeBron James—both, presumably, in their primes—and the big fella chose Bryant because of his so-called “killer instict.”
O’Neal was nothing but complimentary towards LBJ, comparing him to Magic Johnson.
Per The Dan Patrick Show:
“I played with both of them,” O’Neal said. “You know, Kobe has that killer instinct. And I’d probably have to go with Kobe. That’s not a knock against LeBron. It’s just that I know Kobe and I played with him longer. I’ve seen what he can do.”
Still, O’Neal had only positive things to say about James.
“A lot of people try to compare him to [Michael Jordan], when he’s more like Magic [Johnson]. But, you know, when he needs to take over a game, he will,” O’Neal said. “But he’s really, really smart. He’s very intelligent. He lets the game come to him. And he relies on others. Magic relied on others and it worked out well for him. LeBron has relied on others these past five years, it’s working out for him. Hopefully it works out for him in the Finals.”
