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By Will Mac

Editor's note: Credit all quotes below to the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Daily News.

"Yeah, everybody knows that," Shaq said. "And you guys may give [the team] to him [Kobe], just like you've been giving him everything else in his whole lifetime."

That right there is a jealous man talking. The situation seems to stem deep, maybe back to the streak of multiple 40-point games last season, where all we heard was “KOBE.” Or maybe back to the second championship season when Kobe showed signs of improvement upon his game and began shining more in public opinion. Or it may even go all the way back to the day Shaq was signed to play with Kobe. Back then, Kobe Bryant was not the superstar he is today, and had yet to establish himself among the elite, yet it was Jerry West who made the move for Kobe. Could this have been what Jerry really envisioned? Kobe Bryant becoming one of the best players in the NBA and adding Shaq to play alongside “Kobe’s” team? “As long as it's my team, then I'll voice my opinion,” Shaq said. “Just ask Karl and Gary why they came here. One person, not two. One. Period.” Well, judging from the signs of “Great” leadership Shaq displays in the public, I would definitely have to agree with him. Shaq needs to address his concerns to him in private, as a team.

“If you ain't right [physically], don't be trying to go out there and get right on our expense. Use the people out there, then when you get right you [can] do what you do." It is true that Kobe has occasionally been criticized for playing out of the system, but every great scorer needs to score and take that open shot or play the isolation drive from time-to-time. How else is one going to maintain that edge of confidence when crunch time comes? Do you expect Jordan or Iverson to take only 10-15 shots a game, all having to be “within” the system and still make that last play that last second shot when it counts? I would still be putting the ball in their hands at the end of the game, sure, but my expectations of them actually making the game winner will be way down. I’m sure players didn’t always enjoy playing with Jordan and him taking the bulk of the teams shots until the team started winning. Once they started winning, every shot he took was justified.

"If you don't like it, then you can opt out next year.” I believe Shaq would like to have the glory all for himself again, but need I remind him that he did not win a single thing until Kobe’s emergence. He was still his dominant self back in Orlando (minus a few moves), but with a star-studded cast while averaging roughly the same numbers, yet he had no rings to his claim. During his first years with Los Angeles (leaving Orlando for the potential of greater fame), he had an all-star cast as well, and yet he didn’t win anything. The truth is, Kobe Bryant probably would not have won anything either, aside from a few scoring titles maybe, but to win the title they need each other to continue to play the way they are both capable. Their differences need to be put aside, and scuffles have to be kept private. Subsequently, Shaq needs to be more of the team leader he envisions himself as, and stop crying for attention to the media.