This proves that Kobe can't carry the Faker's!!!!!

Strange Fruit- I totally agree. Shaq's effects are immeasureably good for Kobe. I think the gist of my post was that 1) Many great players are judged by the number of championships they won....and that will tarnish the careers of certain players for life. (Namely Barkley and Marino, to name a few.) By this criterion, Kobe is well on his way to creating his own legacy.

2) All in all, we need to give Kobe time. My point was that he is only 23, and not nearly in his prime. With that said, he already has 2 rings, is a multi-time all-star, defensive stud, etc. Of course he benefits from having shaq. However, we don't have proof either for or against him being able to carry a team because he has not been on a team without a force like shaq. Could vince, t-mac, or pierce replace kobe, and the lakers still win? Likely. But that's not the question. The question is could kobe replace one of those players, and win. And we don't know, because he's on a two-horse squad, with two superstars sharing the reigns.

 

Because we are all bandwagoning Laker fans, Kobe sucks.

Nice logic there Junior.

What's funny is how some fans call other fans who defend the Lakers as being bandwagon jumpers, when it appears the biggest bandwagon with the Lakers, is the ones who "hate" on them.

Since when was being in the minority considered bandwagon hopping?

 

<B>! A couple of years ago nobody liked him or the Lakers but now that they have a couple of rings, ya'll all want to jump on the BANDWAGON! </B>

Or maybe it's possible to recognize someone is a great player even if you don't like them (what a concept!).

 

Kobe Brayant - SHAQ == Stackhouse

 

Uh huh..

When Shaq doesn't play, Kobe averages..
28.4 points
6.2 rebounds
6.9 assists
47.3% shooting

That is the best all round stats for a guard in the league. Every single one of them an improvement over his numbers with Shaq(except FG%)

The team had a winning record without Shaq, not to mention they went 6-2 last season without him. That is pretty good

You have to take into consideration that the Lakers have the lowest payroll in the NBA with Shaq out.

Let me see

Do the Lakers have an inside presence with Shaq? Nope

Do the Lakers have a legitimate second scorer without Shaq? Nope

Will you even know if the Lakers will get 2 players in double figures consistently? nope

Do the Lakers have anyone over 6-9 without Shaq(that actually plays and isn't a total scrub)? Nope

Kobe has done all he could, and he always does his share, unfortunately, basketball is a team sport and one person can't win it for his team. If the Lakers had any semblance of consistent and talented supporting cast for Kobe then I think they'd do fine. As it is, they have no size, no depth, and only one player who is considered a threat at all. Unless you fear Rick Fox( to me he's the Lakers' 3rd best player)

 

I have to admit, Bryant's a stud. No doubt about that.

I can understand an intense desire to watch him fail. Anyone who knocks off the Lakers is cool to me. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and all that. But the Lakers were built around the league's two best players. The rest of the team is composed of solid role players. Without Shaq in there, none of them can really take it to the next level. Occasionally one of the others will get hot.

Even Jordan needed Pippen and a good power forward.