How Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal restored their incredible friendship after long feud

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant's sudden death has taken sports world by shock. 41-year-old died in a tragic helicopter crash on Sunday night (Monday IST) in Calabasas near Los Angeles. Los Angeles Count Sheriff reported that Bryant along with his daughter Gianna and seven or people on-board lost ir lives in crash. 

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Kobe Bryant dead: Shaquille O'Neal posts heartfelt tribute

Ever since news broke out, social media has flooded with tributes for basketball legend. Kobe Bryant's long-time teammate Shaquille O'Neal also took to Twitter to express his grief, posting a long mess to Bryant family. Shaquille O'Neal shared two heartfelt posts on Twitter where he hailed Kobe Bryant for his professionalism and even called him his 'bror'.

Kobe Bryant Shaq feud

While duo remained good friends since retirement, ir on-court rivalry from early 2000s was well documented and talked about. Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant were part of Lakers side that dominated NBA in late-1990s and early-2000s. duo won three consecutive NBA Championships from 2001-2003 and also made a final appearance in 2004. Shaquille O'Neal tably won NBA Finals MVP in each of three championship wins. 

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However, multiple reports suggested that Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal frequently clashed over personal differences and ir respective roles in side. ir final two seasons toger at Lakers were plagued with insults hurled at one ar in media, as well as or disagreements. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson published a book in 2004, titled  Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul, reflecting on troubles Bryant and O'Neal had during ir last season toger. feud eventually resulted in Shaquille O'Neal being traded to Miami Heat in 2004. Kobe Bryant helped Lakers win two more NBA Championships in 2008 and 2009, where he won NBA Finals MVP each time. 

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Despite t being on same side anymore, ir feud continued which eventually resorted with duo avoiding each or's names during media interviews. However, post-retirement, Bryant and O'Neal publicly buried hatchet in Player's Only chat on TNT. O'Neal even offered an apology to Bryant during conversation.

While duo were part of a very publicised feud during ir playing careers, y have repeatedly hailed each or for ir performances and have rightly mended ir relationship after retiring. departed Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal will always be remembered as one of best duos in NBA history.

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