<P> The "Shaq--Kobe feud" (or "Kobe--Shaq feud") was the conflict between National Basketball Association (NBA) players Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, who played together on the Los Angeles Lakers team from 1996 to 2004 . </P> <P> The two were able to win three consecutive NBA Championships (2000, 2001, 2002) and make an NBA Finals appearance in 2004 . O'Neal was the NBA Finals MVP in each of their victories . Personal differences and arguments over their respective roles on the Lakers were followed by a trade that sent O'Neal to the Miami Heat while Bryant was re-signed as a free agent by the Lakers . Lakers head coach Phil Jackson would later write a book entitled The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul, reflecting on the troubles Bryant and O'Neal had during their last season together . </P> <P> In 1996, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired the draft rights to high school player Kobe Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets by trading established center Vlade Divac . No NBA team had previously drafted a guard straight from high school . After freeing up salary by parting with other veteran players, they signed free agent All - Star center Shaquille O'Neal later that year . The two sparred in their first three seasons playing together from 1996--1999 . Bryant kept his teammates at a distance, answering non-basketball questions with one - or two - word responses . O'Neal told the Lakers when Bryant arrived, "I'm not gonna be babysitting ." Bryant had extreme confidence in his ability, which was unusual for an 18 - year - old . Some teammates interpreted Bryant's confidence as arrogance . O'Neal was wary of Bryant, as a rookie, boasting that he would lead the Lakers in scoring and be the best player in the league . Lakers general manager Jerry West criticized O'Neal's leadership for hazing Bryant that season . While O'Neal's personality was good - humored, Bryant's demeanor was all - business and was interpreted by some teammates as selfishness . O'Neal began calling Bryant showboat because of his flashy offensive moves . In an overtime playoff loss to the Utah Jazz that eliminated the Lakers, O'Neal fouled out with two minutes remaining in regulation . Lakers coach Del Harris had designed the Laker offense around the rookie Bryant, who went on to shoot four air balls . Harris explained that Bryant's one - on - one skills made him the best choice . After the game, O'Neal put his arm around Bryant and told him there would be other opportunities . West said the team's shortcoming made O'Neal angry since he was going to be judged by the team's success . </P> <P> Bryant was assigned by the Lakers to play in the 1997 NBA Summer League to improve as a team player and learn where to send the ball when he drew double teams . The following season, Bryant was voted as a starter in the 1998 All - Star Game though he was a reserve on the Lakers . The Lakers struggled after the All - Star break, losing seven of their first 12 games, and Bryant had a stretch where he made only 30 of 100 shots . O'Neal wanted a championship immediately, and he did not want to wait for Bryant to mature as a player . Harris thought the NBA and its television broadcaster, National Broadcasting Company (NBC), were overexposing Bryant and that he became more of a one - on - one player after the break . Bryant's playing time became reduced . The Lakers were eliminated in the 1998 playoffs in the conference finals after they were swept by the Jazz, 4--0 . </P>

Who got to the lakers first shaq or kobe