Kobe Bryant apologized to Shaquille O?Neal on television Wednesday night over comments made about Mr. O?Neal?s sexual conduct while the two played together in LA.  Mr. Bryant was apologetic over earlier claims that Shaq bought the silence of women in order to avoid charges.  Bryant told investigators interviewing him in connection with the June 30, 2003 incident, that, "I should have done what Shaq does.' Bryant went on to say that O'Neal had spent $1 million to keep women quiet with money and cars.

"I would apologize for any harm that I brought him and his family,? Bryant said. "I never intended in any way to mix him into my troubles and difficulties that were going on at the time.?

"Things kind of got blown out of proportion and people ran with that stuff, more so than what actually took place. I'd just apologize to him for that.?

Bryant also tried valiantly to defend his deteriorating image to the public regarding his behavior with his teammates.  Many have alleged that Bryant had lost touch with his teammates and the rest of the players in the league.

"As a consequence," Bryant said, "they kind of just go about believing rumors about me and about my personality and about being aloof and being standoffish or whatever it is."

In an interview littered with quotes and sound bytes Kobe attempted to address every pertinent issue facing him today.  When asked to name his top five NBA players he included both himself and O'Neal on the list. When it came to Bryant's top five teams, however, neither the Lakers nor the Heat were mentioned.

He said he was planning on calling Shaq soon. "If he takes the call, great,' Bryant said. ?If he doesn't, you know what I mean, just know that I'm sorry for all of that.'