Shaq vs Kobe Christmas Day 2004 felt like a title fight
Shaq vs Kobe on Christmas Day is a matchup to always remember.
Video Transcript
Shaq versus Kobe, Christmas Day, 2004.
It felt like a title fight.
The two superstars had just won three championships together.
But after losing to the Pistons in 2004 finals, the Lakers dynasty had split up.
Bitter divorce.
Phil Jackson was fired.
Shaq was traded to the Heat, and then immediately, the very next day after they were Both gone, Kobe re-signed with the Lakers.
It was now his team.
When asked if he talked to Shaq before he was traded to Miami, Kobe responded no because he didn't have Shaq's phone number.
These two legitimately did not like each other.
So, when they faced off for the first time on Opposite teams on Christmas Day of 2004, everyone showed up to Staples to watch the Battle.
After exchanging an emotionless opening.
Handshake, Kobe immediately took it to his former teammate and drove hard into the lane.
But Shaq was ready and blocked Kobe's first shot.
Undeterred, on the very next play, Kobe came down and hit a fadeaway right in Shaq's face.
Then he caught fire.
He exploded for 42 points.
While Shaq only put up 24, the same amount that day as new Lakers player.
Lamar Odom.
The game was tight, and Kobe got Shaq to foul.
Out late in the fourth quarter, but a young D. Wade, in just his second season, pushed the game To overtime, and he had the heat up too with 3.4 seconds left.
But the Lakers had one more possession.
Kobe had one last shot to win the game.
And Jumaine Jones, the inbounder.
Bryant gets doubled.
Kobe Bryant... Amazing that it didn't go in.
The Heat won the game.
And that day, Shaq scored the first victory in their new bitter rivalry.
And just a year and a half later, Shaq would become the first of them to win a championship.
On his own.
And for a while, he was on top of the rivalry.
But Kobe would, of course, go on to win two more championships on his own.
And most importantly, he'd let us know... Hes got one more to go Shaq.
Woo!
So, you can take that to the bank.
