NBA Finals Misery: 7 Years Later, Shaquille O'Neal Says He Still Suffers From Post Traumatic Kobe Disorder
By ONANTZIN News
2011-05-31
Los Angeles, CA -- Just a few hours before the 2011 NBA Finals commence in Miami, Shaquille O'Neal opened up for the first time in 15 years and revealed to ESPN that he undergoes therapy once a week during the regular season, and twice a week during the NBA Finals to treat what has been described by his psychologist as Post Traumatic Kobe Disorder.
Traumatized during his years with the Los Angeles Lakers by Kobe's destructive appetite for individual glory and fame - including a habit of hogging the ball and doing impossible shots just to get an ESPN highlight - Shaq undergoes a number of therapy sessions each week to try and overcome "the ongoing struggle with my inner demon, named Kobe", as Shaq puts it.
"The therapy helps relieve a number of emotions associated with Kobe's unwillingness to pass the ball", said Shaquille O'Neal, who added that he often has nightmares where he and Kobe are in a game and wakes up drenched in sweat, feeling what he and his psychiatrist have categorized as three distinct emotions: fear that Kobe won't pass the ball, anger that Kobe is not passing the ball, or resentment that Kobe didn't pass the ball, attempted a double-360-degree-turn-3-pointer and missed.
Shaq says the therapy helps him live a somewhat normal life, but he doubts he'll ever be the same. This year he said the nightmares are a bit milder because the Lakers are out of the playoffs, but fears they'll intensify next year if the Lakers and Kobe once again make it to the NBA Finals and he sees highlight after highlight of Kobe hogging the ball and attempting - and missing - impossible shots.
