Lakers coach Phil Jackson has responded to recent comments by Shaquille O'Neal that blamed him for the tension between Shaq and Kobe Bryant.
"Well, I'm glad we motivated him when he was here and we won three championships," he said of O'Neal, who is now with the Suns. "I think that was the best thing we did. We all have good feelings about that time. And, yes, I'm sure there were some plans in motivating Shaq.
"We were having a lot of fun as a team. It was just a laugh and a goof. That part was fun, but 2004 got a little bit tense. That was a tough time."
During an interview last week with the Sacramento Bee, O'Neal said Jackson orchestrated the tension with Bryant in order to motivate both players. O'Neal said he never had a problem with Bryant.
Shaq also suggested he would be open to returning to the Lakers when he becomes a free agent in 2010.
"Keeping his options open, huh?" said Jackson.