Shaq and Kobe were bickering all the time, like little babies wanting the last cookie. I don't think they wanted to play with each other anymore. Laker Nation is STILL taking every pop-shot they can at Shaq, hating on him for how they believe that it was Shaq who was in the wrong about the turmoil on that team. The business part of that outcome was the fact that they chose a younger Kobe, rather than an older Shaq. One of them was leaving, one way or another. If it weren't for the bickering, something would probably have been worked out, and Kobe and Shaq would still be playing together.
I'll agree with that explanation. The two definitely didn't get along but Kobe "didn't run Shaq out of town". IMO
Why didn't the Lakers bring Shaq back for the last year of his contract to attempt one more championship run? I'll answer: Kobe was an UFA and didn't want Shaq back. Kobe FORCED the Lakers to make a choice between himself and Shaq. If he hadn't used this leverage, Shaq would have returned for another year. Kobe was also the reason PJ wasn't re-signed. Does believing this automatically make me a "Kobe hater"?
Yes. As does believing that someone calling a teammate out in the media saying he pays hush money to women is a detriment to a relationship. But, you know, Kobe's a great basketball player, so none of that should matter.
Which teammate did Maxwell call out for doing that? Which teammate was then traded due to Maxwell calling him out and making it absolutely clear that they could not exist on the same team? And no, I don't hate Maxwell because he was a Rocket. Just like I wouldn't hate Kobe if he was a Rocket? Is that hypocritical? Of course. Most sports fans are when it comes to stuff like this.
Ok, fair enough. As long as you're willing to admit that. I love the NBA like you love the rockets. If there is a player in the NBA and I love his game, then what he does or says off the court has no bearing on my judgement of him. I only judge guys on what they do on the court and because of that, Kobe is still one of my top 5 favorite players. Tmac was always in my top 5 and then he came to the Rockets and that made it even more sweet for me.
Fair enough, but clearly Kobe, who has on and off the court issues, was a big part of running Shaq & PJ out of Lakerland and breaking up one of the most dynamic duos in NBA history. Go ahead and like Kobe all you want, but you can't deny the fact he put his ego in front of winning, which is why Shaq (by trade) and PJ (not being re-signed) left. If Kobe wanted them back, they would have returned. Even though I dislike the Lakers and am glad it happened, breaking up that trio was senseless. One more year could have been one more title.
Kobe and Shaq couldn't get it down any more if they stayed together. If they can't get it done in 2004 with Malone and Payton, how 2005 and there after? They don't have any cap space and even their roles (Fox etc.) are getting worse. And Shaq wouldn't have been shape if he stayed in LAL.
Who's to say? They made it to the NBA Finals! If Malone wasn't injured maybe they would have beaten Detroit, who knows? If Malone comes back for another year and they add a key player with the MLE, anything could have happened. It's possible Kobe and Shaq could have smoked a peace pipe. But, no, Kobe used his leverage and both Shaq and PJ were expelled. A lost opportunity (which is fine by me ).
