Kobe vs. Shaq: Shaq's Book Proves the River of Immaturity Flows Both Ways

The residue of a painful relationship apparently still lingers between former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. They both still find the time to throw insults in each other's direction, even though it has been almost eight years since they wore the same uniform.

In a recent USA Today article, Bryant was said to be painted as an immature villain in O'Neal's new autobiography, Shaq Uncut: My Story. Not only does Shaq blame Kobe for the dissolution of their almost-dynasty in Los Angeles, but he goes as far as admitting that he told Bryant he would kill him.

Allegedly, Shaq issued this threat in response to Kobe's infamous interview with Jim Gray where Bryant questioned O'Neal's practice habits, his dedication and his phantom injuries.

This conversation supposedly took place in former Laker Brian Shaw's presence, and O'Neal's comments to Bryant were made after Shaw berated Bryant about seeking team camaraderie in the face of his Colorado troubles after he had been such a distant teammate.

I can't say if this conversation took place or not, and Shaw has yet to verify it, but considering the parties involved, their history and the surrounding circumstances, I can believe that it did.

But I'm not sure what other purpose recounting this story could serve besides proving how immaturity could destroy a team that had the potential to be one of the most dominant in NBA history.

Contrary to O'Neal's opinion, Bryant was not the only child masquerading as an adult during their fallout.

Bryant's fans, who lay the messy divorce solely at Shaq's feet, are not being honest about the childish comments Kobe made concerning Shaq and the various women who enjoyed his company outside of his marriage.

But that was just one instance in a partnership that had already begun to sour when Kobe's comments were made, and while Shaq says in his book that he was done with Bryant after threatening to kill him, his future actions say otherwise.

Shaq has seemed to revel in Bryant's adversity throughout his career, and his attacks have had little to nothing to do with the game of basketball.

For Shaq it has clearly been personal with Kobe, but instead of leaving the past behind, Shaq has continued to fall victim to the tendencies of his inner child.

The bridge between him and Kobe is not the only one Shaq has burned.

Is it a coincidence that O'Neal just happened to have issues at subsequent stops in Miami, Phoenix and Cleveland?

For some reason, Shaq has never been able to admit that he might just be part of the problem, and that basic ignorance may be the major reason his career ended as a journeyman.

I'm not saying that Kobe was any less innocent when it comes to the Shaq situation, but eventually he did grow up, and he did what most adults do: Kobe moved on.

Of course, you can tell Kobe still harbors some resentment towards Shaq, but it's because of O'Neal's indifference to the game on the court, not personal reasons.

I'm not sure how or if Kobe will respond to Shaq's latest comments in his new book, but I do know that Kobe's criticism of O'Neal's game today is much more relevant than Shaq's he said-she said musings of the past.