Let's settle these debates once and for all: Best player on the '01 Lakers & '11 Heat

[Mr Exlax]

So you admit Bran stunk it up in the finals?

I actually think he did. I credit it to Dallas' ability to exploit the flaws in LeBron's game. Their defensive scheme was amazing and effective. I also believe that LeBron got rattled. The different looks they were throwing at him screwed him all up. I won't say he choked or froze per say. If ypu have capable teammates and they're open then you should give them the ball. Even with his passes though, he wasn't actually trying to make plays. He didn't know what to do.

[ralph_i_el]

Fisher and Bibby

[pegasus]

Shaq and Kobe. No one else is worth mentioning.

[riseagainst]

Lebron was the best player until the finals, then Wade was the best player.

[ArbitraryWater]

No debate for 2001 exists..

[SOD 21]

No debate for 2001 exists..

There can always be a debate.

For example, Kobe Bryant led the Los Angeles Lakers in 2001 with more win shares than anyone else on the team and had an equal number of win shares per 48 minutes as Shaquille in that playoff run.

He played so well through the Western Conference finals that Shaquille called him the best player in the world following the Los Angeles Lakers demolition of Portland, Sacramento and San Antonio. Everyone accepts that the Los Angeles Lakers biggest threats in the playoffs were in the Western Conference, not in the NBA finals. The primary reason that Philadelphia did win a single game is that the Lakers were rusty after a long eight or nine day layoff entering the finals.

In addition to win shares and Shaq's on comments, Kobe Bryant also averaged an impressive 33 points, nine rebounds, six assist and shot 47% from the field on the road throughout the playoffs. Kobe's ability to take over on the road is important because Shaq would often get into foul trouble on the road with his physical style of play.

So see, I can at least make an argument.

[AnaheimLakers24]

01 was never in question you dumb small dick loser

an wade could have 2 fmvp but baby dick didnt have attention so he choked

[JellyBean]

We all know that in 2001, it was Shaq who was the better player on that Lakers team. With the '11 Heat, again, we all know that it was LeBron.

[kennethgriffin]

best player all season in 2001 was kobe

best player during the first 3 rounds was kobe

shaq hogged in the finals

[Smoke117]

best player all season in 2001 was kobe

best player during the first 3 rounds was kobe

shaq hogged in the finals

MVP Points in 2001:
1. Allen Iverson: 1st place - 93, Total - 1121
2. Tim Duncan: 1st place - 18, total - 706
3. Shaquille O'neal: 1st place - 7, total - 578
4. Chris Webber: 1st place - 5, total - 521
5. Kevin Garnett: 1st place - 1, total - 151
9. Kobe Bryant: 1st place - 0, Total - 11

Good call Kenny!

[GrapeApe]

Shaq and LeBron were the best players, but both cases were really a 1a/1b scenario. LeBron and Wade were probably more of a 1a/1aa. The point is, if Kobe or Wade outperformed Shaq or LeBron nobody would even bat an eye. On any given night it was basically 50/50 who would have the better game.

That may sound like a "PC" response so to speak, but I think it's fairly accurate.

[navy]

Shaq and LeBron were the best players, but both cases were really a 1a/1b scenario. LeBron and Wade were probably more of a 1a/1aa. The point is, if Kobe or Wade outperformed Shaq or LeBron nobody would even bat an eye. On any given night it was basically 50/50 who would have the better game.

That may sound like a "PC" response so to speak, but I think it's fairly accurate.

[Lebronxrings]

shaq and lebron

[Smoke117]

Shaq and LeBron were the best players, but both cases were really a 1a/1b scenario. LeBron and Wade were probably more of a 1a/1aa. The point is, if Kobe or Wade outperformed Shaq or LeBron nobody would even bat an eye. On any given night it was basically 50/50 who would have the better game.

That may sound like a "PC" response so to speak, but I think it's fairly accurate.

Wrong. Kobe can't come close to replacing the defense and rebounding Shaq provided. Diesel was clearly the best player.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Wrong. Kobe can't come close to replacing the defense and rebounding Shaq provided. Diesel was clearly the best player.

Kobe's defensively > Shaq in the 01 playoffs, and so what if Kobe can't rebound like prime Shaq.. That's like saying Shaq couldn't provide Kobes assist..

Kobe averaged 1 less point through the playoffs.. Led the team in assist, averaged 2 steals, a block & dropped Jordan esque numbers in the semis and WCF and had a damn good finals after his only off game of the entire playoffs.

Shaq had never beat Duncan w/o an elite Kobe beside him. Kobe absolutely dominated at times and made Shaq (a guy who some people call the MDE) look like a clear 2nd option for stretches.

That 01 Lakers team had 2 of the greatest players ever dominating at the same time for an entire playoff stretch.