Business didn't turn out too profitable on the court for Bryant after Jackson and O'Neal left.

Bryant and the Lakers missed the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. Bryant slipped to All-NBA third team. And, in Miami, O'Neal gloated on the way to another title.

Jackson, however, returned the next year and the Lakers have supplanted O'Neal's Phoenix Suns team as the class of the division.

They all came here saying the right things. Shaq called Jackson "one of the greatest coaches ever." And Jackson, who often baited O'Neal about his conditioning, said Shaq "is in as good a shape as I've ever seen him. He's still a dominant force you have to prepare for."

O'Neal and Bryant acknowledged text messaging each other these days. "I'll text 'Good game. How ya doin'? How are the kids?'" said O'Neal. "Simple stuff."

Said Bryant: "I don't want to get into it too much, but, yeah, we have a good relationship."

That relationship goes back on public display Sunday. Jackson, who said his "sweetheart," Lakers executive Jeannie Buss, predicted the reunion in November, will exploit the opportunity, playing both together.

"The East is going to have to cover some screen and rolls," he said.

Said Shaq: "It'll be nice. Like old times."

Just don't ask Kobe to revisit them.