Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal had one of the most publicised feuds in NBA history after the center went to the Miami Heat after winning three championships with the L.A. Lakers. The two famously split up after that run together.

Shaq thought that he needed to remain the focal point of the offence despite the fact that Kobe was clearly ascending as a player. O’Neal would win a championship with the Heat shortly after, but his most memorable moments came with the Lakers.

Friday night The Diesel will get immortalised outside of the Staples Center as he receives a statue commemorating his time with the club. Kobe Bryant is excited to be in attendance for the occasion.

The LSU product was present for the Black Mamba’s farewell game in Los Angeles last April and his old running buddy will return the favour. There will be no chance for Shaq to score 60 as a sendoff however.

Bryant spoke to the Los Angeles Times about his feelings regarding seeing his teammate receive such an honor.

The Laker legend said: “There is absolutely no way in the world I would miss an opportunity to talk about him and thank him and to acknowledge everything that he’s done for not only this organisation and the city, but for me personally.

“I’ve learned so much from him. He’s extremely, extremely good at bringing others on the team and pushing them. Striking the balance between hard leadership and a pat on the back. Those are things I learned from him.”

Fans will remember the good times with the Big Fella as they see the 1,200-pound, nine-foot, bronze likeness when they see it outside their arena. Hopefully the Lakers will be able to land the next generation superstar in the draft this year.

Both Kobe and his most talented teammate stand far above anything currently on the roster. There is potential in the likes of D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson, but the results haven’t exactly jumped off the page.

Head brass will have to hope that young Brandon Ingram and whoever joins him this summer will be able to lead the franchise back to the golden era of O’neal’s reign.

They will likely finish the season with a slightly better record than last season and it still hasn’t been pretty this year. As it stands now, all they have to point to is a gleaming past, but one great pick could have them looking golden.