Unlike the emotional tour de force that was Allen Iverson's Hall of Fame induction speech, Shaquille O'Neal used his time at the podium to display the charismatic personality that made us admire him throughout his 19-year NBA career. Basically, it was Shaq being Shaq.
One of the more notable moments came when O'Neal thanked a number of important figures from his years with the Los Angeles Lakers organization. Of course, the Big Diesel saved the best for last. "And last, but not least, the great Kobe Bryant," Shaq said. "Kobe Bryant, a guy that would push me, and help me win three titles in a row...but also help me get pushed off the team and traded to Miami.”
During the summer of 2004, Kobe reportedly left the Lakers with a "him or me" ultimatum, forcing the front office to decide between the Black Mamba and O'Neal. If Bryant was going to continue playing in the purple and gold, Shaq could no longer be a part of the team, so on July 14, the Big Diesel was traded to the Miami Heat. One day later, Bryant signed a seven-year, $136 million extension with L.A. It was a move that Heat president Pat Riley considers to be "bigger than any acquisition that we ever made."
Over the last couple of years, Kobe and Shaq have not only been able to coexist with one another, but O'Neal attended Bryant's last game in the Staples Center last season, and congratulated him on his 20-year career in the team's tribute video.
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