Kobe's resume continues to be applauded rightfully so, but the conversation of how it could've be added to never exists.
Because of an insane internal family dispute, the team in 2012-13 and beyond suffered like no other. Phil Jackson was asked by Jeanie and Kobe to come back after Brown was fired after 5 games, and after doctors cleared him to coach, he was suddenly notified by Jim Buss and Kupchak that they went with Mike D'Antoni after verbally agreeing to the job with Jeanie.
The system did not match the personnel and because of an ego hire, it's a wasted opportunity as Jeanie states and it boils my blood Kobe couldn't even get a chance at six.
Phil being back means Kobe and Pau are managed correctly, Dwight is utilized to his strengths and probably stays (he also reveals later he wanted to play for Phil) and Kobe's drive and ego never gets to a point where he averages 45 minutes a game, thus tearing his achilles and effectively ending his prime for good.
I was a teenager and this is before breaking tweets and RealGM with rumors and what not, so first take is all we had. Go look back at every laker segment they had and it's SAS absolutely ripping Jim Buss for years every single time and I never knew why.
This was why, being at the center of one of the greatest what ifs in LA history in the worst possible way.