Kobe and Shaq

Kobe and Shaq. You know you're bigger than life when you are known universally by one name. Last names, Bryant and O'Neal, respectively, seems to diminish the brand.

For the past 14 years in Kobe's case and 18 years in Shaq's case, those two singular names have dominated the NBA like no others. At one time, they played on the same team, the Los Angeles Lakers. They won three straight NBA championships together from 2000-'02. However, it was an uneasy alliance. Simply, the court was too small for two one-namers.

Kobe and Shaq fought each other behind the scenes and in the media. Shaq left LA in 2004 for Miami. Kobe signed a big contract extension and remained in LA. Shaq on his way out of LA was quoted, "Kobe can't win without me." Coach Phil Jackson, the guru, also piled on Kobe and called him "uncoachable" in his tell-all book. Phil followed Shaq out the door. Kobe, shaken but still standing, persevered...alone. Now it was his team for better or for worse.

Shaq with a heavy assist from D Wade won his fourth ring with the Heat. While Kobe languished in LA without Shaq. Shaq proved his point kindof...but stuff happens. Shaq got older and fatter fast. Phil Jackson returned to the Lakers as the coach in 2005. Pau Gasol, a nimble 7' ambidextrous Spanish import, was traded to the Lakers in 2008. And, most importantly, Kobe exorcised some closet demons and became a full time demon on the court to all comers.

In 2008-9 season, Kobe and Pau and Phil and company won another banner for the rafters in Staples Pavilion dismissing the Kobe labels of "can't win without me" and "uncoachable." #4 for Kobe. #10 for Phil. #16 for the Lakers.

This year, Kobe, the Lakers and Phil look poised to win another one. While Shaq, now the oldest player in the NBA, fades quietly into probable retirement after almost two decades and his fifth team, the favored Cleveland Cavaliers, who were dispatched in the playoffs by the rejuvenated Boston Celtics, Kobe is hitting his primetime stride.

Kobe in the current NBA playoffs is simply money. He creates shots on the court for himself that others can only dream about. He is a cold-blooded assassin with the basketball in his hands. The similarity with another bball virtuoso, Michael Jordan, is unmistakeable. With the game on the line...when his team needs him the most, Kobe is at his best. He wants the ball and delivers the goods. He is by far the most electrifying professional athlete I have ever seen besides MJ. As Kobe's stage light becomes more intense during the playoffs, Shaq's light is all but out.

Shaq's recent sudden departure from the grand hardcourts of the NBA was a back story to his teammate Lebron's, another one name wonder, melodrama of "where am I going to play next year." If that was Shaq's last seaon, he deserved better. He may not have been the equal to Chamberlain, Duncan, Olajuwon, Jabbar, Russell, but he was a dominant force in the paint for years. He was a decent man. A gentle giant. Fun. Funny. Lebron's antics may have upstaged Shaq at the end but no one will ever forget Shaq.

So big fella whatever you do, whether it be more rappin' or policin' or actin' or pimpin' products, know this, you will be missed in uniform.

As for, Kobe...take it to the hole with force and get one step closer to MJ immortality.

I love LA.