Although those relationships included diamond rings, champagne and downtown victory parades, however, there were rocky periods as well.
O’Neal clashed publicly and privately with Bryant and didn’t stop taking shots at him even after their split. There wasn’t the same acrimony with Wade, but the two played tug-of-war for the spotlight.
From the time O’Neal arrived in Cleveland, critics said the James-O’Neal marriage was destined for disaster on and off the court.
O’Neal will clog the foul lane and get in James’ way, say the naysayers. Others say James will be jealous and threatened by O’Neal’s star power. Cleveland isn’t big enough for the two of them.
Shaq will wear out his welcome. He’s done it before.
James passes off the skepticism with a shrug.
“People look too far into individuals than the team aspect of things,” he said. “They think two stars can’t coexist. But it’s not just about me and Shaq, it’s about the whole team. Me and Shaq can’t do it by ourselves. We need everybody on the floor to work hard every day to make this thing happen.”
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