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Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers News: Shaquille O’Neal Calls Best Decision Of His Career Was Embracing Playing With Kobe Bryant, Penny Hardaway
Lakers News

Lakers News: Shaquille O’Neal Calls Best Decision Of His Career Was Embracing Playing With Kobe Bryant, Penny Hardaway

Corey Hansford
Published: 03/12/2019
2 Min Read
Kobe Bryant, Shaquile O'Neal, Lakers
Andrew D. Bernstein-Getty Images
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Shaquille O’Neal is widely considered one of, if not, the best big man in the history of the NBA. O’Neal has also been fortunate to play with three of the most talented guards in league history as well teaming with Penny Hardaway on the Orlando Magic, Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Dwyane Wade with the Miami Heat.

These days, super teams are the standard in the NBA, with three or more stars teaming up. But during O’Neal’s era, forming a duo with Bryant was more than enough to dominate the league. What hasn’t changed, regardless of the time, is that if the stars don’t have chemistry, it won’t work.

That is something O’Neal reflected about on Inside the NBA, saying that embracing his young teammates in Penny and Kobe was the best decision he ever made:

“As a superstar, the best decision I ever made in my life was when I decided to let my young dogs play. Like, when I first came in, it was all about me. I wanted to do everything by myself. There was a kid named Penny, Hardaway, I let him play. We both went to work. Then when I got to L.A., I left Orlando, kind of wanted to do the same thing (by myself). But then I said, you know what, ‘Kobe, play with me.’ Best decision I made.”

Many would look at this and draw comparisons with the current Lakers team with LeBron James and the young core of Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart. Of course, none of the Lakers’ young players are at the level of Kobe or Penny as of yet, but there have been some questions about the chemistry between the two sides.

Shaq eventually understood that embracing his young stars was essential to his success and he would go on to win four championships, establishing himself as the ultimate dominant force in the NBA.

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TAGGED:Kobe BryantLos Angeles LakersShaquille O'Neal
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
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