Man the Shaq(lakers) had a hell of better teamates than the Heat Today!!! and thats a fact Todays Payton is a role player, Walker another role player, Halsem???, Zo only has the ability to play 15 mins man this team was just Wade and a subpar Shaq!!! Lakers had alot better players back in the day with shaq!!
Dude, did you even WATCH the Finals? Just because these dudes were all stars at some point in their careers does NOT mean they don't suck now.
Among Wade, Kobe and Tmac, Wade is the only guy to LEAD his team to a single playoff series victory, let alone a championship. For whatever reason, Wade makes his teammates better, the jury is out for the other two not as individual talents but as leaders of their team. The only player in the league one might build their team over Wade right now is Lebron, and that is a darn tough call because Wade right now is the better half court player. Wade has been the most unstoppable player in the playoffs when healthy for 2 years. Even if Kobe was as young as Wade one would have to stick with Wade.
Wade CARRIED Shaq, Shaq CARRIED Kobe, no ands, ifs, buts about it. Shaq is a shell of his former self. I do not think the Heat win the title without Shaq but they would have gotten at least to the Eastern Conference Finals with Wade carrying them. Shaq without Wade, the Heat would struggle to make the playoffs.
Kobe carried the lakers in the western confrence the final two years when they were the champions. Shaq just got his stats when they player a weak eastern confrence team in the finals.
I'm still going through this thread, so I don't know how far this idea has been discussed. But I think it is interesting to say the least. I've been a Zoe fan since he came into the league, & I was happiest most of all, that he did get a ring, that he played a big part in getting that ring, that he got 5 blocks in that game, and that he wants to come back and defend his ring..... But Zoe doesn't, and never has had the consistency that Shaq puts out..... even in his old age, an average Shaq will get you 20 points/ 15 boards a game throughout the season..... that's how they got to the playoffs to begin with. I don't think Zoe could have done it day-in, and day-out. So....... Mourning starting through this series, it's possible that the Heat would have still one...... but that would be a foolish bet to make. Now that's funny..... Antoine Walker had a heck of a game that final game. Jason Terry, STackhouse/Howard were almost non-existant thanks to the glove, and Haslip....... Dwade shined like a mother that night, no doubt about it. & he reminded me of Jordan more than anyplayer has since the great one left the game(the first time)........ but he didn't single handedly win anything. If I had my way, I'd take both...... Kobe would be my SG, and Dwade on point. I think it's a failure on the coaches part if he can't get the players to play together..... I could understand if he was only getting $1 million a year. But for the money they get, Phil Jackson & Larry Brown should be able to get any player to do whatever they want them to do.......... I'm talking Jedi Mind tricks here. But If I had to have one or the other I'd have to go with Kobe...... if I need a gaurd to score 30pts a game to win, Kobe is money in the bank.... Dwade might get it, he might not. I'd also like to see what that roster is going to look like.... I doubt seriously that those same guys would be able to do it again.
He did have a team with a big man and solid talent around him - too bad he acted like a brat and caused the Lakers to be broken up. Kobe would have never won a ring without Shaq and he never will. His ego was too big to allow the situation to continue where Shaq was seen as the bigger star and more dominant player. He should have realized that it's not as easy to win a championship as he thought. He was spoiled having Shaq on his team, now I am sure he wishes he would have done things differently.
I would pick Wade every time. First of all Wade is better at a younger age (less wear and tear). Secondly Wade does not have a problem co-existing with other super stars. Wade has proven himself to be a true leader throughout the playoffs. Miami stands to be a very strong franchise as long as they can keep Wade and Shaq together.
I'd pick Wade also because he's shown that he can make his teammates better while Kobe doen't do that.
