So in response to this thread Kobe > Shaq as a Laker is still debatable? Production wise, Shaq is tied with Kobe at best (2.5 rings crediting each) How many emotionally elated moments given to fans? KOBE KOBE KOBE I don't know if it was the right choice, but La La land got A HELL LOT out of it. Period, end of story.. /thread
I wonder who led the team from 15pts down in the 4th quarter in game 7 of 2000, who singled-handed scored all 8 points on a sprained ankle in OT when shaq was fouled out in regulation in finals game 4. Even in Shaq's best season, it's closer than you think. The truth is, Shaq couldn't win it all without an all NBA first team guard. Kobe could do it with an all NBA 3rd team player.
No, Kobe was a secondary option and admitted it himself. He noted that he appreciated his role on those teams and how the role on "his" teams was different. That 1a, 1b garbage is spin.
Lol.....Kobe is no facilitator..... that's just not what he does first.... he does it to mix it up.... but it sure it's not his first option Both him and Shaq are enforcers, are finishers....... Can't really compare him with Magic.....
Didn't say it .... Kobe said that....NOT natural http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/...akers-kobe-bryant-talks-split-shaquille-oneal
Yes, and he's full of it. Nothing unnatural about it. Just a case of 2 dudes who put their egos ahead of winning.
Yeah... all I am saying you have to give Phil Jax some credit to get the best out of young Kobe and keep Shaq in check for those years before those two guys imploded
That is what Kobe said. He did not appreciate Shaq belittling him and his career in public. With respect to winning championships, neither guy could do it alone. Shaq always had an elite guard with him; Kobe an elite pivot.
I started watching the Lakers a lot before the Shaq trade. The town was still fawning over Eddie Jones as the next superstar. Well they got dumped by the Jazz year after year because Shaq couldn't defend the pick and roll, or hit crucial free throws, and he complained about not having an big guy enforcer (which Rick Fox accomplished by dirtying things up). Sure those 3 airballs by Kobe during elimination game set the wheels in motion for Phil, but it was clear by then that Jones was on his way out (and into a career of overpaid above averageness...)
That really is over simplifying the situation. Kobe and Shaq didn't get along minus the alpha dog thing. Kobe was a hard worker and Shaq wasn't. Shaq likes belittling people and Kobe didn't appreciate that. At the end of the day that is their job and if they aren't happy they should make a change. Sometimes two people can't get along and its time to go in different directions because personalities don't mix. Also didn't Penny say something about Shaq belittling him too? I vaguely remember hearing that.
I have always thought that Magic was better than Jordan. Magic was that rare player that really made everyone on the team better. If I were starting a team I would pic pick Magic over Kobe although I don't think you could go wrong with either.
It's useless to look at career averages since they include a player's initial years of growth and later years of decline. And is Reggie Miller even in the HOF? And Joe Dumars? He's one of the most controversial HOF selections ever made. There are plenty of guys who have comparable numbers who aren't in the hall of fame. Look at Glen Rice. Or Mitch Richmond. Tracy McGrady. Steve Francis. I know you're a big Kobe fan so its natural you'd try to play down Shaq's accomplishments, but don't let that blind you to reality. A 1995 Hardaway and 2000 Kobe were not HOF caliber players. Between Shaq and Kobe, it's much easier to build around Shaq, and Shaq was the primary force for the Laker's 3-peat.
to me kobe is 2/5 for rings if shaq wasn't on the lakers and stayed with the magic the i couldn't see the lakers making it to the finals even with kobe
