Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Shaquille O’Neal Emotionally Admits That He Regrets Not Calling Kobe Bryant: “Forever Is A Long Time.”
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Shaquille O’Neal Emotionally Admits That He Regrets Not Calling Kobe Bryant: “Forever Is A Long Time.”

Shaquille O’Neal Emotionally Admits That He Regrets Not Calling Kobe Bryant: “Forever Is A Long Time.”

Shaquille O'Neal reveals he has regrets about not getting in touch with Kobe Bryant.

The Vy Lee Tran
Nov 21, 2022
4 Min Read
Share

Credit: Fadeaway World

Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant are one of the greatest basketball duos of all time, notably managing to three-peat together in the early 2000s. There’s no doubt that they were a fantastic fit on the basketball court, even though they did have some issues off the court.

Kobe Bryant tragically passed in 2020, and there’s no doubt that many mourned him, including Shaquille O’Neal. Recently, O’Neal admitted that he regrets not calling Kobe Bryant prior to his death. David Walters of People relayed the news.

“You put off [getting in touch],” O’Neal, 50, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue, on newsstands this Friday. “I’ll never get to see Kobe again, in real life, forever. And I just should have called. He should have called. We both should have called. But he’s working, I’m working, so it’s ‘I’ll see you when I see you.’ “

O’Neal says he and Bryant always maintained a deep love and respect for each other, but he acknowledges to PEOPLE that time has yet to give him more perspective on his teammate’s passing. “[I thought], ‘We’re both going to get old. We’ll both be at the 50-year Lakers anniversary.’ Other things shouldn’t have been more important [than getting in touch], but little things [got in the way].”

His simple advice for others feeling disconnected from friends and loved ones: “Call your mom. Call your brother. Call the homeboy you used to party with in college. Forever is a long time.”

There is no doubt that Shaquille O’Neal wants people to avoid his mistake of not getting in touch with Kobe Bryant, which is evidenced by his advice to others who feel “disconnected from friends and loved ones.” It is best for people to simply contact one another rather than feel regret later on. You never know what will happen in the future, and reconnecting with estranged loved ones and friends is important.


Shaquille O’Neal Thinks No Player Duo Will Be The Next Shaq And Kobe

There is no doubt that Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant left an insane legacy on the court, as getting a three-peat is something that is close to impossible for the majority of players/teams. In fact, Shaquille O’Neal previously claimed that there will be no duo that will be able to imitate or duplicate that legacy.

“There will never be the next [Shaq and Kobe],” O’Neal said. “We don’t need them to catch up to us,” O’Neal said. “Kobe and myself were not trying to catch Magic [Johnson] and Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] … Kobe and I, [our] legacy will never be duplicated. Or imitated.”

It is hard to see any duo managing to three-peat in the modern NBA, and it is quite possible that we won’t see another three-peat for a while. Even the Golden State Warriors dynasty has not managed to achieve this feat, though they could potentially three-peat if they win the 2023 and 2024 championships.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal will forever be remembered fondly by Los Angeles Lakers fans. They had a fantastic tenure with the Lakers franchise, and both players are viewed as legendary by both the fans and the franchise.

We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.

Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Kobe BryantLos Angeles Lakers ArchiveShaquille O'Neal
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByThe Vy Lee Tran
Follow:
The Vy Lee Tran is a Senior Writer for Fadeaway World, specializing in trade scenarios, blockbuster trades, and the NBA salary cap. He graduated from Earlham College with honors and a B. A. in English.He is an avid fan of the NBA as a whole and thinks Stephen Curry is quite easily a top-10 player of all time. In his free time, you can find Lee playing basketball and working on his 3PT jumper. Expertise: NBA, Trade Scenarios, CBA, Salary Cap, Player BreakdownsFavorite Team: New Orleans Pelicans Featured On Sports Illustrated, HoopsHype, Heavy
Previous Article NBA Rumors: Miami Heat Have Made Duncan Robinson Available In Trade Talks
Next Article NBA Fans Debate About How To Rank Tyrese Haliburton, Darius Garland, And De’Aaron Fox: “Hali Is The Most Well-Rounded.”
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) high fives head coach JJ Redick during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Provides Update On Luka Doncic After He Gets Ruled Out For Lakers’ First 2 Preseason Games

October 3, 2025
Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Reveals He Has “Unfinished Business” With Phoenix Suns

October 3, 2025
Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics News & Analysis

New Return Date For Jayson Tatum Could Put Celtics Back In Championship Picture

October 3, 2025
Warriors star Jimmy Butler
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Stephen Curry Says Jimmy Butler Gives Warriors “Legitimate Shot” At 2026 Title

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?