Here is what you don't get, Kobe was a free agent, Shaq demanded a 30million dollar extension from Jerry Buss, and then took a paycut when he got traded to Miami, Shaq isn't stupid he knows if he had a 30mil contract that would mean the Lakers FO had to choose between him or Kobe since they both made close to the max and the Lakers made the right decision from their standpoint because 1. Kobe is the best player in the league and has been for the last 3seasons. 2. Miami won their championship in the Weak East with Wade getting preferntial treatment, they also lost the first round right after their championship year and now they have the worst record in the league. 3. Kobe> Wade btw, no way the Lakers have won another title had Kobe Bryant left, who would have Kobe signed with had the Lakers extended Shaq? The Clippers team that was stacked at that time, you see how effective Kobe is with big men? Kobe with Brand, and Cassel would surely have won the title. "Kobe ran Shaq out of town" Complete Bias.