National Basketball Association

Shaq: Kobe 'greatest Laker ever'

Published Feb. 6, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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They may have had their differences in the past, but Shaquille O'Neal was quick to declare Kobe Bryant the "greatest Laker ever" when the guard passed him for fifth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list Monday.

With a jump shot from the top of the key in the first half against the 76ers, Bryant moved to 28,597 points — one ahead of his former teammate, and behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Michael Jordan (32,292) and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419).

Bryant and O'Neal spent nine seasons together at the Lakers, between 1996 and 2004, winning three championships, but had a long-running feud over their roles on the team, and other personal issues.

After the Lakers beat the Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals, Bryant famously said, "I've got one more than Shaq," having moved to five rings, while O'Neal had four.

But on Monday, O'Neal put their past aside to give great praise to the 14-time All-Star.

"Congrats to Kobe for being the greatest laker ever thanks for making us the greatest laker one two punch ever and congrats on passin me up 2," O'Neal posted on Twitter.

Asked about the tweet, Bryant told CBS Sports, "I appreciate it. I'm sure Shaq and I will connect at some point and revisit history."

Bryant could not cap his milestone night with a win, finishing with 28 points as the 76ers won 95-90 in Philadelphia.

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