Replace Big 3 Era Lebron with Prime Kobe

[NBAplayoffs2001]

Do the Heat win those not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, but 7 rings?

He goes 4/4. Kobe has historically been dominant against the Spurs in the playoffs.

[Bandito]

Who plays SF...?

Who knows but we all know Wade wouldve been the PG and there are a lot of SF in the league today.

[PJR]

If Kobe would be willing to play for 10 million a year, so the Heat could have flexibility to get a real rim protector/center, than sure the Heat would've still prospered.

If we're talking about a straight swap, dollar for dollar? Nah. Miami would have to play completely differently to make it work. Kobe isn't making up for LeBron's versatility.

[Beastmode88]

5-peat, then 1 year of rest, and 5 peat again

what happened to kobe's second 3peat?

[SamuraiSWISH]

2011 - Ring
2012 - Lose to Celtics
2013 - Ring
2014 - Lose to Spurs

[9erempiree]

They would be chasing their 5th title next season.

[TheMarkMadsen]

The heats 3rd option is better than Kobes 2nd option when he was in his 30s making 3 straight finals..

Old Kobe with Bosh & role players would have made 3-4 straight finals.

Add in wade & 5 rings isn't unreasonable

Add in prime Kobe and its a wrap.

06-09 Kobe wins in 11,12,13 & 14.

Bosh wouldn't be reduced to a spot up shooter, Bosh would have been the 2nd option putting up 19/9.

[9erempiree]

The heats 3rd option is better than Kobes 2nd option when he was in his 30s making 3 straight finals..

Old Kobe with Bosh & role players would have made 3-4 straight finals.

Add in wade & 5 rings isn't unreasonable

Add in prime Kobe and its a wrap.

06-09 Kobe wins in 11,12,13 & 14.

Bosh wouldn't be reduced to a spot up shooter, Bosh would have been the 2nd option putting up 19/9.

As long as Bosh moves without the ball he will get his because Mamba will be throwing oops at him all day with the triple team that Kobe commands.

[The Choken One]

Bosh wouldn't be reduced to a spot up shooter, Bosh would have been the 2nd option putting up 19/9.

This is one of the biggest things IMO. Bosh could of actually been a low post player.

[9erempiree]

This is one of the biggest things IMO. Bosh could of actually been a low post player.

Defense would play more honest because Kobe can shoot and has a perimeter game. They would not slack off and clog the pain, which in turn, disallows Bosh to post up.

So many things Kobe do that doesn't show up on score sheets.

Its a lock and going for their 5th.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Kobe struggles with physical Eastern Conference defenses. Particularly KG / Pierce's Celtics. He'd have a tough time in that 2012 ECF.

LeBron's superior athleticism, and physicality getting to the rim, along with Wade is why both those guys performed better against the mid 2000s Pistons, and early 2010s Celtic teams. Defenses Kobe really struggled with.

Prime Kobe plays better in 2013 v.s. the Spurs than Bron did. And the 2014 Heat supporting cast, even with prime Kobe isn't enough to win. He'd go down swinging in more of those games though shooting the pill.

[LBJ 23]

This is one of the biggest things IMO. Bosh could of actually been a low post player.

I just love this new myth that Lebron somehow made Bosh a spot up shooter and without Lebon there, Bosh would be some 25/10 post up player.

It has nothing to do with Bosh just not being comfortable playing down low(even he admitted that many times) be it on offense or defense or with the fact that he is a soft player. No. It has everything to do with Lebron.

I expect no less from Bosh than becoming a new Shaq down low in the post this year since Lebron is not there anymore to hold him back. Physical play against bigger centers won't bother him anymore and magically he will become a rebounding beast.

[Magic 32]

Kobe struggles with physical Eastern Conference defenses. Particularly KG / Pierce's Celtics. He'd have a tough time in that 2012 ECF.

Everyone struggled against the 04 Pistons and 08 Celtics.

No other team coming out of the east would be a problem for peak Kobe (06-08).

[SamuraiSWISH]

Everyone struggled against the 04 Pistons and 08 Celtics.

correction

2004 - 2006 Pistons:

Wade KILLED them in 2005.
Wade KILLED them in 2006.

2008 - 2012 Celtics:

LeBron had that 45 point game 7 pre-prime.
Wade KILLED them in 2010.
LeBron KILLED them in 2010 before quitting on Cleveland.
Wade / LeBron KILLED them in 2011.
LeBron put them in a box, and pissed on their grave in 2012.

Kobe was unlucky to face the peak of both all-time great defenses, and teams. But the 2012 Celtics were still very similar, and the #1 ranked defense.

Bryant struggles with the Eastern Conference gritty style, period. With that said, his skill set allowed him to flourish more v.s. the Spurs compared to LeBron.

[Rodmantheman]

one ring at max.