While I agree with most of your post, it is obvious that Shaq is the motor that drives the Laker bus. Kobe is a nice sidekick, a la Scottie to Michael, but Shaq is the MVP of his team. Only four players are more important to their respective teams than Shaq: Duncan, Garnett, McGrady, and Iverson.
Everyone knows that having Shaq makes Kobe's life easier. By the same token, Shaq wouldn't be as good is he didn't have Kobe. If they didn't have Kobe slashing and shooting, every team would double-team Shaq and he wouldn't be as effective. I suspect if Kobe were injured instead of Shaq, the Lakers play just as terribly as when they were without Shaq at the beginning of the season. At this point, Kobe is more important to the team because unlike Shaq, he's smart and committed to becoming the best player in the world. Shaq is an amazing player but it's was disgusting when he waited until September to have surgery because he wanted to enjoy his summer vacation. In that same time, Kobe got buff and improved his outside shooting. Shaq's best playing days are already past him. Kobe's brightest days are still ahead.
1) Purely in a basketball (not personal) context, I hate Kobe Bryant's arrogant a*s. 2) Anyone who thinks Steve Francis is a better basketball player than Kobe Bryant is having a severe bout of "homer-itis". In my mind, it's not even close.
Well.... THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN. It is impossible. But obviously, Kobe is better than Steve. Still, I will stay loyal to Steve.
It really sux that Francis came it at 22, yeah. I'd still keep Francis cuz you just gotta stick with your own... plus whenever the two are on the court at the same time, it seems like I see Francis do better for the most part. Also, what kinda player misses the Olympics to "work on their jumpshot"? That's massive disrespect by Kobe in 2000. I'll never forgive him for that. May sound stupid, but I was a big fan of his before that, despite all his arrogance. BTW, I really hate hearing over an over from Rockets fans that Kobe's better than Steve. I don't care whether it's true or not, ya just don't say it here!!!
Oh, and for those of you that think that Kobe is the best 2-gaurd in the league, I'd have to go with T-Mac for that one. Just a little side-note...
UHHH HOLD UP THERE. Okay. At first, all I knew was Kobe. Because I always watched Kobe man. And he was the man of course. THEN I SAW T-MAC ONE DAY. And he WAS AWESOME. No one could stop him. Too many mismatches. And he just kept on shooting or went in. He had a big size advantage. BUT THEN...I saw Kobe again. And man...sorry. Kobe is better. Kobe has 3 championship rings. And although he has Shaq, T-Mac was the one who wanted his own team. He could still be with Vince Carter. And Kobe is the man. He makes all the tough shots. He is smaller, but much smarter...and a much better leader. Tracy McGrady is a nice guy...and a very good player. The two players have totally different roles. I'm not sure which one is better. They may be good. That's why they should DUEL IT OUT ONE-ON-ONE next year at the All Star Game. Yao and Shaq should have a DUEL. So shoudl Steve Francis and Allen Iverson. That would be sweet!
That right there is a much better and more fair comparison for Francis to a hyped (over-hyped in this case) player. I wouldn't trade Francis for Iverson in a million years. That matchup belongs to Steve, hands-down IMO. And, sorry, but I'm still gonna have to go w/ TMac on the 2-gaurd dealy. Yeah, part of it has to do with that he does more with his team when he's the only star on his team (Kobe's never showed us such an ability with Shaq out), but also... I dunno, I can't put my finger on it, but TMac just seems more dominant in all the right ways. He just plays better in my opinion. I like his personality much better, too.
Six years??? I sure as hell hope Francis can play past the age of 31... that's right around his prime. BTW, has anybody been to a Lakers forum to see how much criticism Kobe's hit with there after every bad game or loss? And how much praise Francis gets whenever we play them? (that could have something to do w/ Fisher being their PG, though). Point is, why are we all shooting our own soldiers here, people?
Kobe might be thinking long-term here.......Kobe could have suggested to Yao something like "when Shaq retires, can you diss Franchise for Kobe?" Yao and Kobe: championship tag team in 2006 and beyond!!!!!
Irrelevant. Kobe is younger. It's a simple fact. It's not Steve's fault, but it's still true. Must really ****ing suck for the Cavaliers.
I don't really have personal splits. Francis does seem to get up for the Lakers... but Kobe certainly does better on the whole. Yeah, that is kind of lame... although many players probably skipped it for worse reasons that they had the brains not to talk about. Why? Objectivity and reason are banned here? This site would be helluva boring if we just all sat idolizing each individual Rocket and mocking the rest of the league. HaHaHa! Those crappy Lakers... 3 straight titles... my, I'm sure glad we have Steve and Cuttino instead! And that Moochie... I wouldn't trade him for a package of Marion and Stoudamire any day! I'm a fan. And I'll always cheer for Steve to kick Kobe's ass. But that doesn't mean I don't see that Kobe's the better player.
