Its still 1-1. Both Shaq and Kobe carried their respective teams to the finals. Now, lets see who gets the second ring for their respective teams.
Ok I'll try to debate it. Let's rewind back to that summer, the Lakers decide to trade Kobe instead of Shaq, they hook up with the heat as well. Kobe for Lamar Odom + D. Wade, or Kobe for Caron Butler + D. Wade. The Lakers go ahead and keep Derek Fisher around. How many championships would that team have won?
You know what, Kobe was a FA that summer, he can simply walk, Lakers can't force a trade. And Lakers were over the cap regardless, with Shaq showing up 40 games in regular season, they probably will win the lotto next season.
This is a joke. Kobe should already have 5? You're right, his team were favorites all the way. Nobody gave the Celtics a chance. His team choked away multiple leads and failed to show up for the elimination game. You make excuses why Shaq won a title in Miami but what about Kobe? Lakers don't win if Yao didn't get injured. No way Kobe wins a title without the help from the Gasol trade.
Where is he walking to? He threatened to goto the Clippers, but he's not stupid, NOBODY goes to the Clippers. He would have given up ALOT of money by signing as a FA with another team. The only way he would leave LA would be via sign and trade. Think about it, since the new salary structure went into place, when have you ever seen a top player simply walk on a team after his 1st max contract? I'm not talking about guys leaving after their rookie contracts, but their 1st max, when leaving would have meant giving up tons of cash. Remember that this was at a time when Kobe's endorsement deals were at an all time low.
Well, he's going to get one less year in the contract, but he's going to get the same amount of money for every year. He can easily have an opt-out clause after his 3rd year to extend when Clipper has his bird right. So as long as he can stay healthy for 3+ years, he won't get a penny less. Yes, Sterling is mean. But a Kobe led Clippers can easily beat a Shaq led Lakers with Brand and many young first round picks. That'd only embarrassed Lakers management. And while the chance to be champion was slim, they could be deep in the playoff.
The best contract Kobe could get from LA was 7 years 140 mil, he settled for less (136 mil) but got a no trade clause + trade kicker + opt out put into the deal. The most money Kobe could get elsewhere was 95 mil (for less years). You have to remember the times, Kobe was still on trial for rape, most of his endorsement deals got reneged. Up until that point of his career, Kobe had 'only' made around 60 million total, so that difference in guaranteed money is huge. Don't just wave off the guaranteed money by saying, 'hey, he could opt out and sign another deal and get the same amount.' What if he blows out his knee the next year and can never get another contract, he'll lose 40 million bucks!
Ok. but sure fire Hall of Famers then you should at least take notice of what they are doing. Two of the greatest players of all time.
