The legacy of Kobe Bryant is undeniable. While he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, it wasn’t always the case from the very start. Bryant‘s rookie year saw him shoot four airballs during Game 5 of the Western Conference Semi-finals in front of millions of people. Not only this, he pulled an “A**hole Move” on his teammate Shaquille O’Neal.
In an interview, Bryant was asked about what Shaq whispered in his years. To which he responded, “I don’t even know. I wasn’t paying any attention. For me, it’s a little a**hole of me. He was like trying to whisper encouraging things. I was like I’m fu*king fine”. This on-the-spot decision of Bryant left Shaq wrapped in embarrassment in front of millions.
Kobe Bryant at age 18, shot an airball on the potential game-winner in regulation, then shot three airballs in overtime.
After the game, Kobe displayed remarkable maturity, handled every question like a true pro, “I’ll just work hard this summer and keep this game in my mind.” pic.twitter.com/nrKY9KWT3i
— OLDSKOOLBBALL (@Oldskoolbball1) February 17, 2023
Bryant’s ‘Airball Game’ in 1997 marked a pivotal moment in his NBA career as after that he was determined to leave his mark. This rocky start led him to work better and it is evident that he gave every ounce of his effort during his career. One of the famous quotes of Bryant, “Once you know what failure feels like, determination chases success” perfectly encapsulates his journey.
He went on to win five championships, an 18-time All-Star, and a long list of accolades. Bryant engraved his name in the history of the NBA, and even after his tragic death his legacy is still remembered in various ways. Be it through the installation of statues, trying to save his Murals or the regular fan posts.
Kobe Bryant ignored Shaquille O’Neal’s encouraging words
Even though Kobe Bryant shot not only one but four airballs, Shaq wasn’t angry. Instead, he was impressed that Bryant decided to do something that no one else from the Lakers‘ team was willing. In the interview, Bryant mentioned how he ignored Shaq’s encouraging words, as he stated, “I don’t even know. I wasn’t paying any attention”.
On the other hand, Shaq disclosed what he said to Bryant and left fans stunned. During an ESPN interview, Shaq revealed, “He wanted to be great; he wanted to be in that moment… When he missed, I was the one who grabbed him and said, ‘Hey, everybody’s laughing at you now, but one day people are gonna fear you when you get the ball in the last second”.
Furthermore, he said that one thing that he loved about Bryant was that he wanted it. Big Diesel saw Bryant’s determination to win before anyone else did. Even though the two had a complicated relationship which was explained by Shaq years later, one can’t deny that their duo was iconic.
The two won three consecutive championships together. Additionally, they rose the status of the Lakers as one of the most iconic teams of the NBA. Shaq even fulfilled Kobe’s dreams years later by working on himself and transforming his body for the better. Despite pulling an “A**hole move” on Shaq, Kobe Bryant himself probably could not deny that the two were better together.
