Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal - Inside the NBA's most dynamic/dysfunctional duo's feud

#4 Taking greatness for granted

The tension had been brewing for a long time

Even when the Lakers were winning, they witnessed a number of new faces come in the 2000-01 season. As a result, Kobe felt that the team needed to change it's playing style and he needed more touches. Shaq disagreed and wanted the offense to run through him in the post.

Shaq even held the defense hostage by saying that he wouldn't be holding the fort down on defense if he didn't get his touches on offense. That touched a nerve with Kobe. In the crossfire, their teammates would try to conciliate the two, often to no avail.

Even one of their best moments, the alley oop from Kobe to Shaq in the 2000 Western Conference Finals against the Trail Blazers, was marred by controversy. After Shaq slammed the pass home, he ran downcourt while pointing his fingers upward. Kobe tried to high five him, but Shaq all but ignored him and brushed himself away.

While the Lakers did win three titles together, the process was far from sustainable. You can only rely on your stars burning each other out for so long before the damage becomes irreparable.

The 2002-03 season seemed doomed from the start as Shaq opted to undergo surgery when the season began rather than in the off-season. He said, "I got hurt on company time, so I'll get treatment on company time." It can be argued that the off-season is a time for the players to recuperate and improve their game as well, but Shaq would have none of that.

That season was an uphill climb for Shaq as he tried to get fit and healthy. The Lakers started the season 11-19 and never found their groove as they were defeated by the Spurs in the playoffs.