Question: Why is it always held against Kobe that he played with Shaq when Magic had Kareem?

[10bandz]

I don’t even know why I’m responding to y’all cuz just expose how ignorant y’all are cuz y’all present arguments with emotions and sentimental shyt

Hakeem has 3 Finals appearances, with dominant play off performances that exceeded Kobe’s, while Duncan was a transcendent talent the minute he stepped in the NBA and was an impactful player all the way down to the last chip the Spurs won in his old age.

But I’ll let y’all cook

No one said Hakeem wasn't great, he's top 10 just like TD. I'm african so Hakeem is one of my idols. They just aren't better than Kobe

 

[Cyber]

Magic had a bigger role in those titles than Kobe did in the first 3, also won Finals MVP his rookie year with one of the best performances ever. I don't think Magic should have won finals MVP that year (it mostly narrative driven + Kareem wasn't even there, would have been awkward) and I definitely don't think he would win finals MVP playing alongside prime Shaq but those 2 factors play a big role. It is what it is

Also, for all the shyt LeBron gets for making the finals in a weak conference, and rightfully so, the 80s West was bad and the Lakers were easily the most talented out west, the East was a war in those days. I'm more impressed with the 2000s+2010 Lakers run, West was far better and Kobe was a big part of that entire run being as successful as it was whether people want to admit it or not

 

[Deus]

Because Shaq was more important to Kobe than Kareem was to Magic

Shaq was a force in those days and couldn't be stopped.

 

[Yungin]

Half of the GMs in the NBA aren't a credible source?

You asked for "anyone around the league", and now you won't even count GMs, the TOP guys whose paychecks depend on accurately evaulating NBA talent.

It was 15-20 years ago, hot takes on social media weren't a thing yet. What the hell google search are you supposed to use to find out what all time greats were saying in 2004?

I said post a quote from any all time great player or credible person around the league saying Tim Duncan is the best player in the league and u posted a survey . And the survey wasn’t even about whose the best in the league. Look let me save u the trouble, u won’t find any quotes because they don’t exist. You’ve never heard anyone around the league utter those words. Now we know there’s numerous players around the league such as Kd, Wade, Giannis, Kyrie, Harden, BRON, JORDAN, SHAQ, etc...who have acknowledged Kobe as being the best player in the league before. No ones ever said that about Tim Duncan. Pop never even said it. Stop

 

[NoHalfWay]

WMy bad I forgot about 86. I try to forget. Coop laying on the Forum floor.

At least The Dream defended his titleunlike Duncan't. Who wasn't impactful enough to defend his titles...at least one.

Duncan won more titles than Kobe as the de facto #1 guy.

Defending titles is nice but it is minor in comparison.

No one said Hakeem wasn't great, he's top 10 just like TD. I'm african so Hakeem is one of my idols. They just aren't better than Kobe

I don’t see how Hakeem could be equal to or less than Kobe but we’ll agree to disagree.

 

[Yungin]

Duncan won more titles than Kobe as the de facto #1 guy.

Defending titles is nice but it is minor in comparison.

I don’t see how Hakeem could be equal to or less than Kobe but we’ll agree to disagree.

In what year would u say Tim Duncan was the best in the league?

 

[NoHalfWay]

In what year would u say Tim Duncan was the best in the league?

Towards the end of the Lakers 3 peat dynasty until about 07 Duncan had a claim for best player in the world.

Then Kobe took that mantle for a few years

 

[Rakim Allah]

Duncan won more titles than Kobe as the de facto #1 guy.

Defending titles is nice but it is minor in comparison.

I don’t see how Hakeem could be equal to or less than Kobe but we’ll agree to disagree.

Duncan't couldn't defend his titles not once as the "de facto #1 guy"

Duncan't is 2 - 4 against Kobe. The media votes won't help you win a playoff series.

 

[cKondomsucK6]

Magic won all 5 titles with Kareem

Kareem won his 6th with Oscar robertson

When Kareem is considered some peoples GOAT and Magic is almost universally top 5 ever

But u always hear well jordan had a top 50 player in pippen, kobe had shaq, lebron had super teams, shaq had kobe and wade, bird had celtics blah blah blah

 

[ALonelyDad]

only stans criticize this shyt and the guys you listed have the biggest stan base..

 

[Monsanto]

They never mention the first round knock outs or finals being swept.

Different measures for every player.

 

[DlAMONDZ]

Magic & Kareem
Magic - 3 FMVPs
Kareem - 1 FMVP

Shaq & Kobe
Shaq - 3 FMVPs
Kobe - 0 FMVPs

Shaq without Kobe:
Swept in the playoffs year after year including the finals despite playing on stacked teams
Got carried by Wade to a ring
0 MVPs
0 FMVPs

Kobe without Shaq:
MVP
3 straight finals and back to back titles
2 FMVPs

 

[JYoung24]

MJ
Kareem
Magic
Bird
Wilt
Lebron
Shaq
Hakeem
Russell
Duncan

man hell no most of those names aint better then kobe

 

[JYoung24]

Ok, but he didn't, and Kobe still has no Finals MVP while playing with Shaq. You Kobe stans gotta give it up, he's a top 15 player, an all time great, what more are you all trying to prove? This is like the 100th thread on this topic.

thats the shyt im talking about man top 15 player? are u fukking serious thats disrespect

 

[get these nets]

Now, this has always been a bullshyt talking point to begin with but I don’t think anyone ever bothered to ask this question.

Everyone in here would say that Magic and Kareem are top 5 and Mt. Rushmore level players. However, if you bring up Kobe you hear this shyt about three of his rings being practically worthless. But Kobe never played with a top 5 OAT player like Magic or Kareem got to.

What does that then say about Magic and Kareem’s titles? I mean shyt, for all of Kareem’s greatness he was blessed to play with not only Oscar Robertson who is a HOFer, but he then ended up playing with the GOAT point guard in history. And Magic? Well shyt he not only had Kareem, but he also had an amazing team around him with guys like James Worthy, B Scott, Coop, etc. But no one dare question either Magic or Kareem, and rightfully so.

Now call me crazy, but those are insane advantages that they each had. Plus I’m sure most in here would agree that Kareem and Magic were both better than Shaq. Who was whose sidekick there? Nobody right? So why y’all claim Kobe was a sidekick when he very clearly wasn’t?

Why the selective use of this all important talking point? Somebody’s rings shouldn’t count in this according to the prevailing logic which seeks to devalue Kobe’s three titles during the Shaq years. Maybe it’s just time that this dead horse get buried and Kobe is respected as the five time champion that he is without the long since debunked espn talking points about sidekick rings.

In case anybody hasn't said it yet.

Between the ring with Oscar and Magic playing for the Lakers....Kareem DOMINATED the league but didn't win a championship. Magic shows up and 5 rings in 10 years. .....and when Cap leaves, Magic drags young Vlad Divac to the Finals