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It’ll never be admitted or acknowledged, but I know Shaquille O’neal and Michael Jordan smiled as the Boston Celtics hoisted their championship trophy last night.

Kobe Bryant has been flirting with that “possible greatest ever” title for many years now, but with a team mate like Shaq it was hard to be recognized as an individual. Kobe could never be truly compared to Jordan with a dominating beast like Shaq helping him out…. it was too easy. So the Lakers shipped O’neal away, and Kobe began his journey to a 4th championship.

This mythical fourth championship means A LOT to Kobe’s legacy, especially since Shaq earned another just two years after departing from the Lakers. If Bryant were to go the rest of his career without winning at least two more, he could never be mentioned in the same breath as M.J. Similarly, if he fails to win at least one more, Shaq will always be viewed as the main reason L.A. had a dynasty in the early 2000s.

Last night, The Boston Celtics gave MJ and Shaq the gift of peaceful sleep…at least for another 12 months.