Shaq says feud with Kobe was just for show

February 6, 2009

Was the entire Shaq – Kobe feud back in Los Angeles really all just for show?

Although the 2009 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix on February 15 will probably won’t be much of what a real NBA game is suppose to be, seeing Shaq and Kobe together as teammates should be special, especially for those Laker fans who were wishing for Shaq back when Kevin Garnett was having his way with the Lakers frontline last June.

In case you’re wondering, Kobe Bryant was voted in by fans as a starter for the 2009 NBA Western Conference All-Stars. Shaq, on the other hand, was voted in by NBA coaches as a reserve for the West, paving the way for his return to the All-Star Game since leaving the Heat in the middle of the 2007-08 season.

And since they’ll be playing alongside each other since their glory days in Tinseltown, Shaquille O’Neal felt the need to clear up some things about this highly publicized fued between him and his former wingman.

Shaq, after all the things he has said to bash Kobe Bryant in the past, now claims Kobe AND his former coach, current Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, are his allies. He claims his rivalry with Kobe was nothing more but a marketing gimmick, a fodder for driving revenue.

‘’We helped you hype it up,’’ Shaq says in an interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, referring to his feud with Kobe when he was still in Los Angeles. ‘’I know what I’m doing, brother. I’m the smartest player in the world.’’

‘’I always did love Kobe,’’ O’Neal said. ‘’It was all marketing.’’

About Phil?

‘’He’s the greatest coach ever.’’ O’Neal said. ‘’And he’s done a lot for me. Phil’s my guy. It’s all marketing, baby.’’

Yeah right. And this is after he bashed Phil Jackson and basically the entire Lakers organization for making Kobe the focal point of the offense, leading to his departure from the West Coast to Miami, Florida.

The 2009 NBA All-Star Game this February is really shaping up to be a good one. Let’s see how fast Shaq and Kobe recreate their four-year long rivalry in just 48 minutes in Phoenix.

Who will win the 2009 NBA Finals? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Boston Celtics 4.00

Los Angeles Lakers 4.50

Detroit Pistons 9.00

San Antonio Spurs 9.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more basketball betting odds. Want to watch the NBA live? Get NBA tickets online now.

Shaquille O’Neal Kobe Bryant

Posted by Jeff under News & Updates.