Not much was made publicly about the feud in the 2001-02 season as the team was set back by injuries , personal tragedies , and national news . O'Neal missed training camp due to surgery on an arthritic toe . He chose not to undergo a more involved surgery that would have kept him out of action for a longer period of time . Still , his toe bothered him throughout the season . Jackson also missed most of camp due to the death of his 94-year-old mother , and Bryant returned to Philadelphia to bury his grandfather . Combined with the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center , O'Neal said it would be hard for basketball players to be divided by pettiness
September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center
September 11 attacks
Shaq–Kobe feud