There’s always going to be what if’s in your life. The great thing about professional sports is we get to ask players all the ‘What If’s’ we have for them. What if Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan played 1-on-1? What if LeBron never left Miami? What if Kevin Durant was drafted 1st overall? What if the 96′ Bulls played the 16′ Warriors? What If Shaq never left the lakers? As a longtime NBA fan, I’ve asked those questions to myself before, and other players have even chimed in on what they think would happen. Like that time that Scottie Pippen said the Bulls would destroy the championship Warriors team.
We’ll never really know what would have happened with any of these situations, but sometimes it’s best to leave the past in the past. Shaquille O’Neal knows a great deal about that. After a trouble-some relationship with superstar teammate Kobe Bryant, the Lakers traded O’Neal to the Heat in 2004. Although they’ve both thrown shots at each other throughout their years, after Bryant’s retirement, Shaq has been a major supporter of Bryant’s illustrious career achievements. In an interview with Ernie Johnson on NBA TV, set to air tonight, Shaq discussed his journey with Kobe and gave an interesting metaphor for their relationship:
“There can’t be two kings…”
Shaq: The Big Conversation premieres TOMORROW at 8pm ET on NBA TV! #16HoopClass pic.twitter.com/fIR6MhegFU
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 6, 2016
“Yes and no,” O’Neal said. “I didn’t want to leave, but being a veteran in the business of basketball, I realized that … there can’t be two kings. And every great movie that I’ve seen – mafia movies, just to put it in better terms – the younger boss always takes out the older boss.”
With both of kings now looking back at their careers, I’m sure they’re both wondering what would have happened if they stayed together. Would they have been the most dominant basketball duo we’ve ever seen? No one will know. Hopefully we’ll get to see them at a charity game or a celebrity game one last time. .
