As the Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant feud heated up in the 2000s, opposing teams and players rejoiced, and the chances of ending the dynasty increased.
One of the players who was jubilant amid the Shaq-Kobe feud was Glen Rice , the sharpshooting swingman who had helped the Los Angeles Lakers win the 2000 NBA Finals.
Rice's point of view
In the 2000-01 NBA season, Glen, then with the New York Knicks , sounded off on his former team. This was when O'Neal and Bryant were bickering for a bigger role in the offense.
Initially, Kobe was okay feeding the ball to the big man, but after winning the title, the Black Mamba felt it was his turn to become the focal point.
"I liked them, and you want those guys to do good, but at the same time, I don't feel there was any justice done [with me]," Rice said , per the New York Post. "When they lose a game or two, it brings a big smile to my face. When you see them going through problems, you do get a little satisfaction. I'm not going to sit here and lie to you."
"They had an opportunity to have me there, and that's not the case anymore. Their problems are their problems," Glen added.
Rice's hate wasn't unfounded. He was a critical part of the Lakers' title run in 2000 and felt it was only fitting that the team kept him. But drama brewed between the forward and head coach Phil Jackson . The Zen Master got his way as the three-time All-Star was traded to the Knicks ahead of the 2000-01 season.
Related: "I am more disappointed today than I was back when I was not selected" -Isiah Thomas on handshake snub as the reason he didn't make the Dream Team
Rice's friendly advice
Glen wasn't totally at odds with the Lakers. He still cared for the franchise that helped him win his first and only NBA Championship. Rice advised Kobe and Shaq to figure things out because they were easily the best duo in the league.
"You would think it's something they'd put in the past because when they play together, they're the best 1-2 punch in the league," Rice said. "This doesn't do anything but tear a team apart. They just got to get together, talk, and work their differences out."
"Both guys are great in talent," he continued. "Both guys feel they can carry the load any given night. They have a right to say, 'This is my team.' Both should realize it could be our team."
O'Neal and Bryant may have heard Rice's advice as they guided the Lakers to a successful title defense. They even completed the three-peat in 2002. But as the adage goes, all good things must come to an end. The Kobe-Shaq feud reached an all-time high in 2004, and the Purple and Gold front office had no choice but to separate the two.
Related: "It could've been a great dynasty if I could've continued to be there" – Glen Rice suggests Lakers made a big mistake trading him to the Knicks in 2001
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