Kobe and Shaq are at it again. The ex-Lakers teammates got into a “war of words” earlier this week regarding work ethic and desire to win championships. 

The Lakers won three consecutive championships between 2000-02 with the two alpha males leading the way. The championship team eventually broke up due to infighting, and wrestling for control of the team between the two superstars. 

Speaking at a convention in Las Vegas this week, Kobe was asked about Shaq and brought up the “Big Aristotle’s” work ethic. Kobe said if Shaq had his kind of work ethic, Kobe could've had 12 rings during his NBA career.

"He'd be the greatest of all time. He'd be the first to tell you that. This guy was a force like I have never seen. It was crazy. Generally, guys at that size are a little timid and they don't want to be big. This dude did not care. He was mean, he was nasty. He was competitive. He was vindictive. I wish he was in the gym. I would've had f-----g 12 rings."

This is a familiar refrain from Kobe and is at the core of the two legends’ beef. 

Kobe has laser like focus and as a player was consumed with being the greatest. His work ethic spawned #MambaMentality and the “at all costs” force he attacked everything. Kobe has always felt that Shaq didn’t match his focus and desire. 

Shaq got wind of Kobe’s comments and responded on Instagram:

"U woulda had twelve if u passed the ball more especially in the finals against the pistons #facts," O'Neal stated. "You don't get statues by not working hard."

Regardless of who said what and who was right or wrong at the time. Kobe and Shaq were one of the greatest duos in NBA history. They won championships for the league’s most storied franchise and that will never be taken away. 

The two legends took to Twitter and said, what beef? Shaq then turned their collective ire towards another Lakers player.