Kobe vs. Shaq: Does Shaq Really Believe Kobe Is the Greatest Laker of All Time?

According to KTLA (h/t Los Angeles Times), during a recent interview to promote his book, former Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal did an about-face and called career nemesis and former teammate Kobe Bryant the greatest Laker of all time.

That statement is far different than some of Shaq's other references in his book, which reportedly include a threat on Bryant's life and an accusation that Bryant's incident in Colorado is responsible for the end of the Lakers dynasty.

In fact, Shaq's moment of graciousness and clarity is so unlike his, "Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes?" rant that I'm not sure if I'm completely buying the new, humble version of Shaq.

What about you?

Well, to be fair Shaq didn't quite designate Bryant for that honor. Shaq said based on what Kobe's done, he's probably the greatest Laker of all time.

But, Shaq also threw in a disclaimer saying that if Bryant wins another ring that ties him with Kareem, which would put Bryant right up there among the clouds.

I do admire Shaq for the compliment he paid to Bryant, but underneath I think a thinly-veiled challenge was issued as well.

As you know, Shaq is retired and on the book circuit, and it won't be long before Bryant will be stepping off the court into other ventures of his own.

But can Bryant and the Lakers capture one more NBA title before he does?

The Lakers and Bryant are aging and weary, and are considered yesterday's news by most fans outside of Los Angeles, especially after last season's postseason beatdown at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks.

A 4-0 sweep is no way for the former two-time defending champions to lose in their bid for a three-peat, and it's understandable if people feel like the Lakers' time has passed.

I'm just not sure if Bryant feels the same way.

And if Shaq's last dig about Kobe needing to win another championship in order to move up there with Kareem was another tongue-in-cheek slight, maybe it's just another piece of inspiration in what Bryant hopes is a season of redemption.

You see, there are some people who feel like Bryant's time as an elite player has also passed, but a shorter regular season and a longer period to recuperate from nagging injuries have already set the stage for Bryant to have a memorable year.

I don't know if it will be enough to reach the Finals, though, and the Lakers do have other issues such as point guard concerns and assimilating in new coach Mike Brown's system.

If Kobe were not clearly focused on this mission before, he is now, especially since Shaq has decided to add a little more incentive.

Maybe Shaq is betting that Kobe will never get that sixth ring to tie Kareem and join him atop O'Neal's own list.

But what better way can Bryant finally end this almost decade-long tussle than by making Shaq eat his own words by prevailing on the court?