Kobe Carried Shaq

[selrahc]

Shaq couldn't even touch the ball at the end of games because he would get fouled and couldn't shoot free throws and choke away games. Kobe was the closer and heart of the team. Kobe is the greatest of all time.

[SouBeachTalents]

Superior stats, impact and Finals MVP count says otherwise

[triangleoffense]

Everyone knows Kobe was the closer back then. Teams would double/triple team Shaq for three and a half quarters they then focus their energy on Kobe. This is all while Kobe was like in his teen years pretty much since he came into the league at 18 playing against grown men.

[stalkerforlife]

OP has a point.

Kobe was the closer and Kobe was the most important player on the team during the most crucial moments.

2nd all time GOAT.

[ClipperRevival]

Superior stats, impact and Finals MVP count says otherwise

More importantly, defenses game planned against Shaq. There was not one team who stepped on the court against the 2000-2002 Lakers and said, "we have to stop Kobe first". It all started with Shaq. He was clearly "the man."

[triangleoffense]

More importantly, defenses game planned against Shaq. There was not one team who stepped on the court against the 2000-2002 Lakers and said, "we have to stop Kobe first". It all started with Shaq. He was clearly "the man."
Defenses planned against the Lakers. It's true that Shaq was such a force that he almost broke the game, refs would stop being able to tell if Shaq got fouled or if he fouled the other person because of his strength and dominating frame... 7'1 300 of pure muscle.

With that said though games are won and lost on 4th quarter play, especially in the playoffs.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Defenses planned against the Lakers. It's true that Shaq was such a force that he almost broke the game, refs would stop being able to tell if Shaq got fouled or if he fouled the other person because of his strength and dominating frame... 7'1 300 of pure muscle.

With that said though games are won and lost on 4th quarter play, especially in the playoffs.

Kobe led the entire league in 4th quarter playoff scoring in both 01 and 02

[ClipperRevival]

Defenses planned against the Lakers. It's true that Shaq was such a force that he almost broke the game, refs would stop being able to tell if Shaq got fouled or if he fouled the other person because of his strength and dominating frame... 7'1 300 of pure muscle.

With that said though games are won and lost on 4th quarter play, especially in the playoffs.

And Kobe was the closer. And he should get credit for that. But still doesn't change the fact that Shaq was "the man." Defenses were geared towards slowing him down. He drew the doubles and freed up his teammates. His presence made his teammates better. And Kobe also benefitted from this attention.

No one can deny Kobe's greatness as he won 2 rings as "the man." But from 2000-2002, it was Shaq, even though there were times when the lines seemed blurred.

[TheMarkMadsen]

And Kobe was the closer. And he should get credit for that. But still doesn't change the fact that Shaq was "the man." Defenses were geared towards slowing him down. He drew the doubles and freed up his teammates. His presence made his teammates better. And Kobe also benefitted from this attention.

No one can deny Kobe's greatness as he won 2 rings as "the man." But from 2000-2002, it was Shaq, even though there were times when the lines seemed blurred.

not arguing that Kobe was better bet he himself drew plenty of doubles and freed up plenty of teammates too

Shaq benefited from Kobe getting doubled and vice versa

[JT123]

Everyone knows Kobe was the closer back then. Teams would double/triple team Shaq for three and a half quarters they then focus their energy on Kobe. This is all while Kobe was like in his teen years pretty much since he came into the league at 18 playing against grown men.
:biggums: :roll:

[DonDadda59]

And Kobe was the closer. And he should get credit for that. But still doesn't change the fact that Shaq was "the man." Defenses were geared towards slowing him down. He drew the doubles and freed up his teammates. His presence made his teammates better. And Kobe also benefitted from this attention.

No one can deny Kobe's greatness as he won 2 rings as "the man." But from 2000-2002, it was Shaq, even though there were times when the lines seemed blurred.

The league changed defensive rules in a vain attempt to slow Shaq down. Few years later they had to change the rules to make life easier for Bean. :yaohappy:

[KG215]

2nd all time GOAT.
2nd all time greatest of all time?

:wtf:

[dubeta]

If carried means GWs then Horry carried both Shaq and Kobe

[DonDadda59]

If carried means GWs then Horry carried both Shaq and Kobe

Horry carried Hakeem, Duncan/Robinson, and Shaq/Kobe en route to 7 rangz. GOAT. :bowdown: