National Basketball Association

Kobe calls Shaq 'most dominant big of all time' in belated Hall of Fame congratulations

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:08 p.m. ET

Andrew Lynch

Shaquille O'Neal was no stranger to using the media for his own gain as an NBA player. If there was a war of words to be waged or a certain official who needed to be reminded of Shaq's prowess, he made sure reporters received (and disseminated) the message.

Intentionally or not, Shaq was up to his old tricks on Thursday, when the former Los Angeles Lakers big man was in Springfield, Mass., for the 2016 Basketball Hall of Fame introductory press conference. After the festivities — and after receiving his ridiculously large ceremonial jacket — O'Neal was asked if Kobe Bryant had offered congratulations on the Big Aristotle's selection to the Hall.

That was apparently all the motivation Kobe needed, as the Black Mamba offered Shaq his congratulations just a few hours later on Instagram:

While we kind of wish Kobe congratulated Shaq sooner, the wait was worth it if only for Kobe to post this particular picture. His mustache is one of the greatest achievements in modern human history.