Kobe Was Ridiculous

[Box Factory]

. Most teams had a big man that could produce numbers to lessen Shaq's impact.

Didn't watch basketball at this time ^

Duncan was the only big near Shaqs level.

Mutombo is one of the greatest defensive bigs ever, and look what Shaq did to him in the finals. While Mutombo was the DPOY

Nobody lessened Shaqs impact at his peak.

He was a literal unfair advantage

 

[Osmosis]

Shaq didn't get drafted to a team with arguably the most dominant dominant player ever entering his prime

Jordan also didn’t win any championships before playing with Pippen

 

[Box Factory]

Jordan also didn’t win any championships before playing with Pippen

Or after

 

[Ozymandeas]

Didn't watch basketball at this time ^

Duncan was the only big near Shaqs level.

Mutombo is one of the greatest defensive bigs ever, and look what Shaq did to him in the finals. While Mutombo was the DPOY

Nobody lessened Shaqs impact at his peak.

He was a literal unfair advantage

You replace Kobe with T-Mac/Vince/AI...maybe those Shaq Lakers teams still win three rings.

But it also goes the other way

You replace Shaq with Duncan and send Kobe on down to the Spurs....they're winning 6-7 rings. That whole stretch from 2007 to 2014, Duncan and Kobe won five rings

 

[GreatestLaker]

Shaq didn't win any championships before he played with Kobe either!

This is such a dumb silly argument. Shaq's best years was on the Lakers. Age 24 to 32. That's typically a player's prime years. When Shaq left the Lakers Kobe was 26 and was just hitting his.

Shaq played 4 years with the Magic. The Magic became a contender in year 3. Lost to the Rockets in the finals. The following year lost to the eventual champion Chicago Bulls in the ECF. The both times the Shaq led Magic lost when they were contenders were to the eventual champions. Now look at his career post Lakers. His first year in Miami they probably would have won the ring but Wade went down with an injury in the ECF. The next year Shaq was completely washed but they still won. Every year after that Shaq was just a shell of his former self.

 

[GreatestLaker]

You replace Kobe with T-Mac/Vince/AI...maybe those Shaq Lakers teams still win three rings.

But it also goes the other way

You replace Shaq with Duncan and send Kobe on down to the Spurs....they're winning 6-7 rings. That whole stretch from 2007 to 2014, Duncan and Kobe won five rings

I don't even think the Lakers win with Vince and AI. I've always looked at them as losing players.

 

[Ozymandeas]

This is such a dumb silly argument. Shaq's best years was on the Lakers. Age 24 to 32. That's typically a player's prime years. When Shaq left the Lakers Kobe was 26 and was just hitting his.

Shaq played 4 years with the Magic. The Magic became a contender in year 3. Lost to the Rockets in the finals. The following year lost to the eventual champion Chicago Bulls in the ECF. The both times the Shaq led Magic lost when they were contenders were to the eventual champions. Now look at his career post Lakers. His first year in Miami they probably would have won the ring but Wade went down with an injury in the ECF. The next year Shaq was completely washed but they still won. Every year after that Shaq was just a shell of his former self.

He didn't do shyt from 1996 to 1999 either though when Kobe was a bench player. He lost to the Jazz twice in the playoffs. The Jazz.

 

[MJ Truth]

Just took alot of shots

Arguably the worst clutch shooter ever

To be honest even if this were true it still would be amazing. The fact that Kobe was always willing to put it on the line and have the potential blame placed on him is what made him special. 98% of the league wouldn’t even be willing to attempt game winners at the level Kobe did. The older I get the more I appreciate that thought process in general. That’s a winner’s mindset in life - someone always willing to risk it in order to win, and not put the responsibility on others.

 

[GreatestLaker]

He didn't do shyt from 1996 to 1999 either though when Kobe was a bench player. He lost to the Jazz twice in the playoffs. The Jazz.

Yes the same Utah Jazz who were the number 1 seed both years. let's act like the Jazz weren't the heavy favorites both years. Basketball discussion on this board is straight trash.

 

[Ozymandeas]

Yes the same Utah Jazz who were the number 1 seed both years. let's act like the Jazz weren't the heavy favorites both years. Basketball discussion on this board is straight trash.

They were the definition of mid. Alot of teams have been number 1 seeds. Shaq had no business losing to them.

 

[Shadow King]

Shaq didn't win any championships before he played with Kobe either!

Not many stars do in their rookie deal, and irrelevant to what you asked

 

[GreatestLaker]

They were the definition of mid. Alot of teams have been number 1 seeds. Shaq had no business losing to them.

Yea let's act like basketball aint a team sport. Yea a team that had back to back 60 plus win seasons were mid. A team that went to the finals in back to back years were mid. Like I've said basketball discussion on this board is complete trash.

 

[Paper Boi]

Just took alot of shots

Arguably the worst clutch shooter ever

you can say that but a lot of people are scared to take that shot, what set kobe apart from a lot of guys was he had no fear, he didn't let the pressure get to him.

and that actually makes him the best clutch shooter in my eyes

 

[10bandz]

Shaq didn't get drafted to a team with arguably the most dominant player ever entering his prime

and that same dominant guy was getting swept over and over until Kobe grew up and saved him vs Portland G7

 

[10bandz]

You replace Kobe with T-Mac/Vince/AI...maybe those Shaq Lakers teams still win three rings.

But it also goes the other way

You replace Shaq with Duncan and send Kobe on down to the Spurs....they're winning 6-7 rings. That whole stretch from 2007 to 2014, Duncan and Kobe won five rings

Exactly Dumbass nikkas really think they saying something with the T Mac/Vince/AI which isnt even true mind you. We're just supposed to assume TMac/Vince/AI could run the triangle as well as Kobe did? These nikkas know NOTHING about ball except narratives and stats....never actually watched these dudes play....or take into account what coaches and former players say about these guys

You give TD, Duncan, KG to Kobe it's the same fukking results. Maybe not a 3peat per se but overall through the long term definitely winning hella rings