There are many great stories about the back and forth relationship Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal had as teammates. This is one of the more violent and sinister plot lines. The Shaquille O’Neal-Kobe Bryant feud reached its tipping point during the 2004 season, after Bryant publicly called out Shaq for being lazy and out of shape. According to John Black, Lakers vice president of public relations, O’Neal threatened to end Kobe’s life. After the Lakers’ bid to win four consecutive championships fell short with a second-round loss to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in 2003, the franchise appeared to solidify its chance of claiming another trophy when future Hall of Famers Gary Payton and Karl Malone elected to sign free-agent contracts far below their market value that summer in order to win the one honor that had eluded them—a title. […] Their signings came less than two weeks after Lakers superstar guard Kobe Bryant was charged with the sexual assault of a Colorado hotel employee and faced the possibility of life in prison if found guilty. He went on to spend the first half of the season flying back and forth from Colorado for court appearances. Meanwhile, his feud with fellow superstar Shaquille O’Neal continued to simmer as they made critical public remarks about each other. Bryant also was planning to test free agency the following summer, while O’Neal pressed the Lakers for a hefty contract extension. On top of all that, discussions about a contract extension for coach Phil Jackson also had been tabled until after the season. Read more http://blacksportsonline.com/home/2...threatened-to-murder-kobe-during-2004-season/
