1/29 10:43 AM PT -- 1/29 -- Shaq says after much debate, he WILL go forward with his "Fun House" Super Bowl party Friday in Miami ... saying ALL of the proceeds will go toward Kobe's charity.
"Part of me wanted to stay to myself as I reflect what my brother and his family mean to me and my family," the Diesel said. "But, in thinking what would Kobe want, what would he do?"
"Kobe would want us to push through and celebrate life. So, let's do just that."
Shaq added, "Together we will celebrate all those who lost their lives in Sunday's tragedy. RIP my brother, my friend and my homie, The Black Mamba. Until we meet again."
FYI, Bryant's charity -- the "Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation" -- was established in 2007 and is dedicated to helping youth and families in need across the world.
1/29 5:52 AM PT -- 1/29 -- Amazing moment outside Staples Center after Shaq's emotional appearance on "Inside the NBA" ... he led a "KOBE!" chant for the dozens of Bryant mourners, and it was awesome.
Only right for @SHAQ to lead a chant for Kobe in LA ✊
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
(via omerdrinks/IG) pic.twitter.com/Tn0ImG0Jmo
Shaq walked outside the building to a ton of screaming fans ... but he silenced them all to kick off an epic nod to his former teammate.
The video is incredible ... Shaq tells them "one more time!" and jumps up and down to the "KO-BE!" chants.
5:21 PM PT -- Jerry West -- who made the deal to make Kobe a Laker -- joined the show to discuss his feelings since the tragedy ... and he says his memories go far beyond the court.
"To watch this incredible family grow and prosper, and now to see not one, but 2, but 3 families gone ... saddest day of my life."
“He always talked about this Mamba mentality. He didn’t have to create that, it was already there.”
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
Jerry West on Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/sjIed4rBfy
4:20 PM PT -- A powerfully emotional Shaq spoke more about the loss of his beloved teammate on TNT's "Inside The NBA" on Tuesday ... and it's heartbreaking.
"I haven't felt a pain that sharp in a while," Shaq said on Kobe's death.
“I haven’t felt a pain that sharp in a while.. it definitely changes me.”’@SHAQ on the loss of his brother, Kobe. pic.twitter.com/dM5i0DDgGK
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020
"The fact that we're not gonna be able to joke at his Hall of Fame ceremony, we're not gonna be able to say, 'Haha, I got 5 (championships), you got 4,' the fact that we're not gonna be able to say, 'If we would've stayed together, we could've got 10' ... those were the things you can't get back."
O'Neal choked back tears while the show's hosts intro'd the episode from the Staples Center court ... with all the guys sharing their special memories with Bryant.
Shaq says he wishes he had invested more time in maintaining his friendship with Kobe ... saying, "I wish I could say something to him again."
"I’m not doing well. I’m sick."
That's Shaquille O'Neal admitting he's really struggling after the death of his "brother" Kobe Bryant -- saying he hasn't eaten or slept since finding out the horrible news.
"It just hurts," Shaq said on his "The Big Podcast with Shaq" show ... noting that he was already in bad shape because his sister, Ayesha, also passed away recently.
"I’m just getting over the death of my sister. You guys told me the other day when I came in, I looked like I needed some rest. And I haven’t been sleeping after Ayesha’s death."
Shaq opened up and talked all about his relationship with Kobe -- the good times and the bad times -- saying despite the way it looked in public, it was all love behind-the-scenes.
"All the stuff that is documented between us .. this is what brothers do."
"I love Kobe Bryant. I'm the first to say ... I've got 4 rings ... I couldn't have gotten 3 without him."
Shaq says he's glad the two became closer in recent years -- but wishes they would have communicated more because he really loved and respected KB.
After the crash, Shaq says he reached out to Vanessa Bryant and offered his condolences. He's heartbroken over the death of their daughter, Gianna.
"[Vanessa] lost her beautiful GiGi who was born on the same day as my 13-year-old daughter and that's what really hurts."
As for how he wants people to remember Shaq and Kobe ... O'Neal explained it this way ...
"We still are the best duo ever created, that's never gonna change, but I wish we were 60 or 70 in the old folks home talking about it."
RIP.
Originally Published -- 7:26 AM PT