Shaquille O'Neal Defends Kobe, Gifts 1996 Land Cruiser to Pam Bryant

Shaquille ONeal has remained an outspoken force in basketball nearly two decades after retiring, using podcasts, television appearances and public gestures to defend the legacy of former teammate Kobe Bryant while reminding fans and the league of the wide reach of his own influence on the sport. Speaking recently on the Straight Game podcast, ONeal criticized what he called a growing tendency to skip Bryant when debating the game's greatest players, and he marked Bryant's birthday by presenting a fully restored 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser that once belonged to the late star to Bryant's mother, Pam Bryant.

"What frustrates me is when people talk about the GOATs of the game and his name isn't even mentioned," ONeal said on Straight Game, adding that he believes Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe all belong in the conversation. He also explained the practical division of labor that produced three straight championships for the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000 to 2002. "It was never a problem between us," he said. "Eventually, we figured out the formula. I'd go first for three quarters, and then the fourth quarter was all his."

The gift to Pam Bryant, which ONeal arranged through a...