No matter what was going on between us, everyone on our team?knew that Shaq and I were good for 30-plus points and 10-plus?rebounds/assists every night. That knowledge provided them with a?sense of security, but it could also lull them into complacency.

In an effort to stave that off, Shaq and I would, conscious of the?intermittent tension around us, ratchet that up. By doing so, our?teammates would lock in and raise their own level of?competitiveness.

It’s worth understanding, though, that it was never about us. It was?never about Shaq and Kobe. It was about making sure our?teammates were fully invested and understood the seriousness of?what we were trying to do. It was about making sure they?understood they were walking a tightrope, and Shaq and I were not?always going to be their safety nets.

Shaq was a special player. He understood both how to use his body?and mind. He understood both angles and human nature. He?understood intimidation and domination.

The one thing I specifically picked up from Shaq was his physicality,?his brute force. Despite being a guard, I wanted players to be sore,?to be beat up, after guarding me for 48 minutes. That would give?me the mental advantage the next time we matched up. After Shaq?left, in the spirit of that, I played more in the post and dealt out?some serious punishment to guards around the league.