Kobe Leaps Shaq on All-time Scoring-list

For eight seasons, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal served as one of the best tandems the NBA has ever seen, winning three consecutive rings while with the Lakers from 1996 until 2004 when Shaq was eventually dealt from Los Angeles to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster trade following a fallout between the two stars. Since then, Bryant has become the key cog of the Lakers and has led the team to three Finals appearances and two championships including back-to-back titles in 2009-2010. And though his team has taken a bit of a step back since their successful run in 2010 after being swept in the Western Conference Semifinals last season by the eventual NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks, which then led to the retirement of head coach Phil Jackson, Kobe has still shined at the age of 33 and has continued to prove why he's one of the best to ever step foot on the hardwood and that his uncanny will to win remains just as vivid now as it's ever been.

Earlier tonight, Kobe passed his teammate of eight seasons for sole possession of the no. 5 spot on the NBA's all-time scoring-list by dropping 28-points in a losing effort to the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite losing the game by a final score of 95-90 on the road where the Lakers have struggled so far this season, dropping 9 of their first 12 games away from Staples Center in L.A., it was fitting that Bryant moved up the latter of the NBA's all-time scoring-list in his hometown of Philadelphia against a 76ers franchise that his father Joe "Jellybean" Bryant once upon a time played for in the 70's. In the midst of the boo's that showered down on Kobe by the Philly faithful following his feat, the several thousand or so Laker fans in attendance gave Bryant a standing ovation while hugging longtime teammate Derek Fisher after hitting a long-range jump-shot which helped him eclipse O'Neal's mark of 28,596 career points.

Following his accomplishment and passing of O'Neal, Shaq sent Kobe a message in which he congratulated him on becoming the NBA's fifth all-time leading scorer as well the greatest Laker ever. Shaq also gave thanks to Kobe for the eight seasons they shared as teammates, calling them "the best eight years of my life," contrary to what many believed was a rocky relationship. Even in the latter part of his career now in his 30's, Kobe who has a 48-point game under his belt this season, currently leads the league in scoring with an average of 29.4 PPG and trails only Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in career points. While being asked what his thoughts were on joining the elite company of some of the game's all-time greats, Kobe said it was an understatement to call it a huge honor. But it was the comments he made later that really let us know what he had on his mind: "I'm not asking for much, man. Just give me a sixth ring, damn it."

Shaq Talks Relief x Shannon's In!

With the tragedy of the earthquake in Haiti still lingering and NBA's All-Star weekend right around the corner, Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'neal came up with the idea of having a star-studded Slam Dunk Contest, with a big money prize and half the proceeds going to the Haiti relief foundation. Shaq's idea of a star-studded lineup would include such players as: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Vince Carter and one other big named player. All of which are former dunk contest winners (with the exception of teammate LeBron James). When asked about it prior to Thursday's Lakers-Cavs game, Kobe laughed and said the chances of that happening are zero, considering his age and aching injuries he's suffered this season to both his back and finger.

As good of an idea Shaq's dunk contest proposal was, Vince Carter and Kobe aren't the type of players that make it on Sports Center's Top 10 anymore with slam dunk's as those days are behind them. However, one player that will be participating in this year's Sprite Slam Dunk Contest is -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Shannon Brown. Brown has become somewhat of a human highlight reel for dunk's this season, resulting in an online phenomenon called 'LetShannonDunk.com' hoping to help Brown's campaign. & What do ya know, the league got the message. For someone as explosive as Brown is for his size (6" ft 4' in), it'll be interesting to see what he comes up with. Brown's breakthrough year this season has fans thinking nothing less than a dunk every time he steps foot on the hardwood, but he's stepped his jump shooting ability up a bit as well.

If you've been yet to see his hop's, you'll see them in this year's dunk contest as he competes against Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats, 2-time slam dunk winner Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks and the winner of NBA's All-Star Dunk-In held at halftime of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge, the night prior to the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. The two players competing in the Dunk-In will be DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors and Eric Gordon of the Los Angeles Clippers. The Dunk-In wouldn't be necessary if LeBron James would have lived up to his word after announcing last year he was going to participate in the dunk contest. Instead LeBron draws his name out of the hat as if he's got something better to do. Aww is Prince James scurrrrd?

Personally, I think Nate Robinson should give it up and make room for both Gordon and DeRozan since neither of them have participated in the contest before. Instead, Nate Robinson will be making his third Sprite Slam Dunk appearance and will try to become the first ever 3-time winner. No disrespect to the 5-foot 9-inch Robinson, but I think it's time to give someone else a try. Regardless of what I think, Robinson will try to defend his tittle on February 13th at American Airlines Center in Dallas. You can catch the game at 5 p.m. PT on TNT. Get'cho pop-corn ready because it's gonna be a show!

The Big Shaqtus to Dallas?

Rumors are roaming the air, as talks between Shaquille O'neil and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban have begun. Rumors are said to involve a possible trade that could send the Big Shaqtus himself to the Mavs as early as the end of the season. For the rest of the story, Click Here.

The Suns organization felt that Shaq could be the final piece of the puzzle that could possibly lead the team to the promise-land. However it was no surprise that Shaq slowed down what may have been the quickest team in all of the NBA after the Blockbuster deal that sent former Suns Marcus Banks, and 4-Time All-Star Shawn Marion to the Miami Heat in exchange for O'neil. Many questioned the move, and the team hasn't been the same since. Steve Nash has had ongoing problems with injuries, and Phoenix has even tried to counter with adding former All-Star and Slam Dunk Champion Jason Richardson into the mix. All of which have developed into a disappointing season.

I guess it's safe to say the Highlight of Phoenix's season has been the All-Star game which included The Big Diesel dancing with the masked Champions of ABDC's 1st season The Jabawockeez.

Shaquille also took home MVP Honors with former Laker teammate Kobe Bryant.