Shaquille O’Neal Says Kobe Bryant Used To Dribble And Shoot Without A Basketball: “He Was Obsessed With Being The Best Ever.”

Shaquille O'Neal explains how Kobe Bryant was obsessed with being the greatest.

3 Min Read

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal formed, arguably, the greatest duo in NBA history. After winning three straight titles from 2000-2002, they cemented their place in the history books forever.

Unfortunately, the pair had a falling out before all was said and done, and they broke up just a few years after their amazing run began.

While things didn’t end well, O’Neal can still look back fondly on his experiences with Kobe. In one clip that is making waves online, it features O’Neal doing his best Mamba impression as he explained his wacky tradition of practicing without a ball.

“When he was 18 he used to be in the locker room dribbling and shooting without the ball for hours. And then you see him practice the same move on the court like he was obsessed with being the best ever. I was obsessed with being the most dominant, he was obsessed with being the best.”

There are many stories of Kobe Bryant’s amazing work ethic, so it’s no surprise to hear how he used to practice without the ball. As a true student of the game, and someone who wasn’t afraid to put in the work, Bryant’s obsession with being great resulted in countless hours on the court by himself, perfecting his craft.


Where Does Kobe Bryant Rank Among The All-Time Greats?

Today, Bryant isn’t around to make the case for himself, but his place in the NBA’s All-Time hierarchy is secure. In fact, if you ask some players, they’ll tell you that Bryant is right up there as one of the GOATs.

To Fred, Bryant was a guy who had it all. He had the natural athleticism, the talent, the will, and the perfect mentality to match. Really, Kobe was the perfect storm of greatness.

“Kobe is the guy for me. The skill set, the mentality, the athleticism, the will…surgical. He’s the guy.” 

Looking back, Kobe’s talent and natural mastery of the game cannot be overlooked. When you talk about pure skill, he’s got to rank up there with the best ever.

What really separated Kobe from the rest, however, was his unbridled passion for being the best. Whether it was waking up at 4 a.m. to go to the gym every day or practicing for hours without a ball, Bryant’s methods knew no limits.

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Nico Martinez is a veteran staff writer for Fadeaway World from Brooklyn, New York. He joined Fadeaway World in 2016 and is currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Nico holds a degree in Sports Management from Columbia International University where he built a strong foundation in the inner workings of sports media and management. Nico's contributions have significantly enhanced the credibility and depth of Fadeaway World's content, earning him recognition across the sports journalism community. His work has been discussed in prestigious publications like Sports Illustrated. A dedicated follower of LeBron James, Nico often leads coverage on news related to the basketball star. With nearly a decade of experience in sports journalism, Nico consistently provides comprehensive and timely basketball news, engaging a wide audience of basketball enthusiasts.Nico's most desired player to interview, past or present, is Kevin Durant. He is particularly keen on asking Durant if he has any regrets about his career, especially concerning his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why he engages so much with fans on social media. 
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