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Phil Jackson sets the record straight on Kobe Bryant and Shaq’s dynamic during their time together on the Lakers

The legendary Phil Jackson made it clear what Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were like during their time together on the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.

Former Los Angeles Lakers players Shaquille O'Neal (L) Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson during a ceremony where of O'Neal's statue
© Kevork DjansezianFormer Los Angeles Lakers players Shaquille O'Neal (L) Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson during a ceremony where of O'Neal's statue

The 2004 Los Angeles Lakers are often remembered for featuring one of the most iconic duos in NBA history—Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal at the height of their powers. However, what is often overlooked is the immense challenge of managing two larger-than-life personalities on the same roster. Head coach Phil Jackson attempted to do just that during a turbulent season, marked as much by internal conflict as it was by basketball excellence.

In his 2004 book The Last Season, Jackson provided a candid and often scathing look at the Lakers’ 2003–04 campaign, which ended in disappointment despite a trip to the NBA Finals. While the Lakers reached the league’s biggest stage, their season was plagued by dysfunction, inflated egos, and simmering tension. Nowhere was that more evident than in the fractured relationship between Bryant and O’Neal—two generational stars who had previously delivered three straight championships to Los Angeles.

Jackson didn’t hold back in expressing his frustrations. Though he acknowledged the on-court brilliance of both players, his reflections painted a portrait of chaos behind the scenes. O’Neal, Jackson noted, was a dominant physical presence, but also emotionally vulnerable. “For all his bravado, Shaq is a very sensitive, fragile soul who appreciates any sign of tenderness,” Jackson wrote. He emphasized that despite criticism of O’Neal’s perceived lack of durability, few understood the toll of carrying a 340-pound frame night after night.

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Still, Jackson admitted to being exasperated by O’Neal’s unwillingness to play through pain and his inconsistent conditioning habits—issues that repeatedly frustrated the Lakers’ coaching staff. For all his size and skill, Shaq’s preparation often lagged behind his potential, creating rifts within the locker room and tension with coaches.

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Even as Jackson sought to shield O’Neal from critics, not everyone on the staff was as forgiving. Assistant coach Tex Winter, one of the architects of the triangle offense, frequently clashed with O’Neal. Winter criticized Shaq’s footwork and questioned his coachability, suggesting the All-Star center relied too heavily on dunks and raw power rather than refining his fundamentals.

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The tension reached a boiling point during one team film session, when O’Neal erupted in anger, cursing at Winter in front of the entire roster. When Jackson confronted O’Neal about his behavior and urged him to apologize, the center’s response underscored the depth of the discord.I know I’m not doing the right thing,” Shaq said, but I don’t give a f***.”

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Ultimately, the 2003–04 Lakers represent a case study in what happens when elite talent clashes with unmanageable egos. Despite their skill, Los Angeles fell short of a title that season, and the fallout led to O’Neal being traded to Miami. Jackson’s firsthand account remains one of the most revealing insider perspectives on the volatile nature of NBA superteams.

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