AP photo

A Shaq-less Kobe is not necessarily an unhappy Kobe — and he probably gets in fewer fights. Especially after Shaq recently admitted that he would probably be even more of an instigator would he and Nike athlete Kobe Bryant have remained teammates:

“If I had to do it all over again, I would probably bring it up more, I would probably start more fights with him. I was putting up great numbers, he was putting up great numbers, it made him all pissed off and he’s one of those (guys) where when he gets pissed off, he can go on and score 80 points.

I think we were the greatest one-two punch in the game, greatest little man, big man punch in the game. Period.”

It’s a wonder Kobe can even play with this sort of regret weighing on him.