The work beef between Shaq and Kobe, Part 1 | Big brother, little brother

The "Shaq-Kobe beef" has become kind of a meme, just a flat cultural reference point. How to Make a Basket: Shaq vs. Kobe endeavors to go deeper than that, to figure out why and how these two legendary partners didn't get along, and how they achieved such greatness in spite of that.

Part 1 begins in 1996, when both Shaq and Kobe became Los Angeles Lakers. Shaq wanted a sidekick. A little brother. Kobe, even as a teenager, was laser-focused on making the Lakers his team. They found success, but first they fought.

Directed and edited by Ryan Simmons
Edited by Jiazhen Zhang
Art direction and motion graphics by Mike Das
Written and produced by Seth Rosenthal

[LrrOfOmicronPersei]

The fact that SB consistently makes these amazing top-quality docs is astounding. This team behind these productions is really at the top of the game. Props to everyone involved 👏

[capavico]

Oh man finally. Long time SB fans here know that not anyone other than Seth would've narrated this better man. Waiting for the upcoming episodes. 🙌

[gabrielsoto]

Not going to lie I actually got a little teary eyed at the end when they talked about Kobe. That man gave me and my family so many memories growing up

[senororlando]

Can we appreciate that Seth is bringing this heat with a newborn at home

[TheFlightMike]

This is by far the single greatest piece of content I've ever watched. I've seen many videos on the Kobe vs Shaq beef, but none of them jumped into the level of detail that this 3 part series did. It took me back to my youth when my friends and I would argue at the lunch table who the Lakers should trade: Kobe or Shaq? As a person that makes NBA content myself I could only imagine how much effort was put into this as well. You've not only made me feel extremely nostalgic, but you've also inspired me as a creator. Thank you for this masterpiece, I'll certainly be re-watching all 3 parts again

[waxrelic]

R.I.P. Black Mamba. Thank you for the upload.

[PanelFlow]

The fact that this is free is always amazing. Top tier quality. It's amazing- I haven't watched a basketball game in years, and I was too young to see any of this era, but I'm totally gripped by the story and the way that SB plays through the themes of a storyline. Always fantastic.

[kidpeligro]

Went straight to practice right after winning the ring. Kobe's competitive engine is insane!
Him and MJ by far had the ultimate killer mentality

[krishnawidardjo]

Just watching this partly, I realized how much of a "work love" Pau Gasol is for Kobe. Pau is the exact opposite of Shaq - no talk, no diva, pass first Center.

Shaq may win more with Kobe, but Pau complemented Kobe much more.

[victorli]

I always wondered if Kobe teaming with Dwight Howard forced him to appreciate Shaq more. Shaq and Howard are similar in that they both like to joke around and have fun -- things the all-business Kobe never had time for when he was playing. The difference is that when the game starts, Shaq wants to kill you. With Howard, he always came across as someone who wanted to win but have a good time doing it and wasn't going to run you over the Shaq would.

[marshallhanlon]

This already feels as good as the cavaliers docuseries. The best sports history content a fan can find.

[teodormaslyankov]

Man you guys should be proud and fulfilled from the great work you are doing, literal chills

[aryansebastianpillai]

This is arguably the greatest video sports essay I've watched. Props to Secret Base.

[The]

You can tell how much Seth loves all this. The amount of detail in these mini doccos is amazing. Also it's so Amazing to know that Seth is still with us... Missed you heaps

[therevolvingmonk]

Before you ask: the opening piano track is Gymnopédies 1 by Erik Satie

[joshhale]

this was another 10/10. thank you for these incredible videos. it is still hard for me to think that kobe is no longer with us.

[bathestyles]

I haven’t even made it past 5 minutes and I know this is gonna be amazing. Seth and SB never fail to disappoint

[Fashda]

I didn’t think anything this channel put out could match Fighting in the Age of Loneliness, but Seth repeatedly challenges that assumption with everything he makes. Kudos.

[bobearrog]

I've been looking forward to this

[RDowney]

Seth, you're the Shaq and Kobe of writing and narrating hoops. Think Shaq may have been talking about you when he said most dominant 1-2 punch in NBA history. Luckily, we also have the rest of the '01 Lakers directing and editing what we're seeing on screen.

Appreciate the videos as always, boys - they're truly the best sports content we have available.