Shaquille O'Neal honors Kobe Bryant with a stunning throwback photo on his birthday

The late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant celebrated his 47th birthday on 23rd August. This famous personality was honored and remembered by almost the entire NBA . Earlier on Saturday, former Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal posted an Instagram story to honor Kobe Bryant on his special day. The picture featured the two Lakers legends holding cigars in their hands and posing stylishly. This iconic picture was originally posted by an internet personality known as Derrick Mallet. Kobe Bryant was honored not only by his NBA colleagues but also by the entire world. However, his wife Vanessa Bryant was the first to wish her late husband a happy birthday, and her post also included their late daughter Gianna Bryant.

Shaquille O’Neal honored Kobe Bryant with a heartfelt birthday postThe Los Angeles Lakers legend, Shaquille O’Neal, recently posted an Instagram story to honor the late Kobe Bryant on his birthday. Although the two didn’t get along often when they played together, they have remained great friends throughout. Recalling an anecdote, Shaquille O’Neal remembered saying, “Kobe, there is no ‘I’ in team.” To which Kobe Bryant replied sarcastically and said, “I know, but there is an ‘M-E’ in that m***********”. Sarcasm was their bro code, and both understood it well enough.


After Kobe Bryant’s tragic death, Shaquille O’Neal wrote on X, “Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his.”

Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. His baby girl Gigi was born on the same day as my youngest daughter Me’Arah. pic.twitter.com/BHBPN5Wq8V

— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020

Lebron James, Vanessa Bryant and other Los Angeles Lakers legends honored Kobe Bryant on his special dayLate Lakers legend Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa Bryant, was the first person to post beautiful pictures of her husband and daughter, Gigi Bryant. “We love and miss you and Gigi so much. Sending our love to you. Happy birthday, baby. @kobebryant ❤️”, Vanessa Bryant captioned her Instagram post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNs9rJ1Ymch/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DNs9rJ1Ymch/

Following Vanessa Bryant’s post, Lakers legend LeBron James also posted a story on his Instagram, honoring the former NBA legend. Both may have been technical rivals on the court, but they had tremendous respect for each other, both on and off the court. The players had a lot in common. LeBron James was completely shattered after hearing the news of Kobe Bryant’s tragic accident.


Pau Gasol, one of Kobe Bryant’s favorite teammates, also posted a tweet on X, paying his tribute to the late Lakers legend on his special day. “Happy Birthday, hermano. I miss you and love you always”, Pau Gasol wrote on X. He was very close to Kobe Bryant and supported his family after the barbaric incident. They weren’t just teammates, they were a family and looked out for one another.

Happy Birthday, hermano. I miss you and love you always ❤️ pic.twitter.com/KNZTFrfH34

— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 23, 2025

Among others was Magic Johnson, who also made sure to wish Kobe Bryant on this day. “Remembering husband, girl dad, entrepreneur, friend, five-time champion, and one of the greatest to ever lace them up, Kobe Bryant on his birthday”, he wrote on X, honoring the late Lakers legend.

Also read: Magic Johnson Honors Kobe Bryant With Emotional Tribute on His 47th Birthday