Who wouldn't be called a sidekick playing along with Prime Shaq?

[Bandito]

I don't get it.

Shaq and Kobe were both amazing when they played together. They needed each other. Neither was a "sidekick" to the other. They were teammates.

They were 1a and 1b like Jordan and Pippen were back in the day.

[WayOfWade]

Prime Kobe wouldn't have any of that.

[Nash]

27/8/7 Lebron would never be a sidekick, especially if he's shooting at 56%. That is almost prime Shaq efficiency with Shaq being a big man and Lebron being a perimeter player.

[ihoopallday]

I hate all that sidekick talk. Kobe was just as important in winning those championships as Shaq was. I'm not a Kobe fan by any means, but it's just foolish when people call him a sidekick.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Kobe in the 2000 season is clearly a sidekick.

Kobe in the 2001, 2002, and 2003 season the lines between sidekick and two headed monster get very blurry.

Shaq and Kobe both needed each other to get it done. Same way LeBron and Wade in 2011, neither was a true sidekick. They were a two headed monster of near equal importance and dominance.

2012 and 2013, Wade was truly in beta sidekick mode. Pippen at no point in any of the Bulls 6 championships was a true equal of Jordan. The closest is probably 1996. But he was always in that beta role. Same way Gasol was for the Lakers in 2009 and 2010. Clear cut hierarchy sidekick status.

[LakersDaBEst]

27/8/7 Lebron would never be a sidekick, especially if he's shooting at 56%. That is almost prime Shaq efficiency with Shaq being a big man and Lebron being a perimeter player.

LOL
PPG RB Blocks
38.0 16.0 2.7
33.0 15.8 3.4
36.3 12.3 2.8

The 3-peat

Lebron first final :
35.6% FG 20.% 3s .690FT 7.00 rebounds 5.75 TURN OVERS 22.0 pts

[Young X]

Any coach would be dumb to make MJ a 2nd option to Shaq offensively - MJ is a much better, more efficient offensive player than Shaq - same with Lebron.

If prime MJ, Kobe, Lebron would be sidekicks to Shaq it would be because of defense and rebounding, not offense. Shaq does not impact the game offensively like those guys can especially MJ.

[G-Funk]

You really think GOAT MJ will snatch all 3 FMVP from prime Shaq if they paired up?

No because it will defeat the system, Shaq was the biggest mismatch in da league and Phil ran the offense through him.

[G-Funk]

Any coach would be dumb to make MJ a 2nd option to Shaq offensively - MJ is a much better, more efficient offensive player than Shaq - same with Lebron.

If prime MJ, Kobe, Lebron would be sidekicks to Shaq it would be because of defense and rebounding, not offense. Shaq does not impact the game offensively like those guys can especially MJ.

u obviously dont understand basketball, Shaq was too dominant not to be a 1st option, he had zero competition @ center. you go inside out, u make the defense collapse inside with Shaq, u can't do that with a perimeter player.

[Odinn]

I don't get it.

Shaq and Kobe were both amazing when they played together. They needed each other. Neither was a "sidekick" to the other. They were teammates.

In 2001 and 2002, Kobe was too good to be called a (classical) sidekick. He was more of a 1B. But in 2000, he was clearly sidekick.

And I do not understand this sensitivity. What's wrong being a sidekick at the age of 21-23 while playing next to one of the most dominant, if not the most, player? Why this sensitivity still going on to look Kobe's resume better than its actual.

[Young X]

u obviously dont understand basketball, Shaq was too dominant not to be a 1st option, he had zero competition @ center. you go inside out, u make the defense collapse inside with Shaq.

Zero competition doesn't change the fact that MJ was a much more effective scorer, and much better playmaker. Making MJ - the greatest offensive player in NBA history a 2nd option on offense is beyond stupid. LOL @ "inside out"

[lakerspng]

Zero competition doesn't change the fact that MJ was a much more effective scorer, and much better playmaker. Making MJ - the greatest offensive player in NBA history a 2nd option on offense is beyond stupid. LOL @ "inside out"

Well, you would play it your way and Phil Jackson would play it the other... I wonder who'd win more championships.

Your way, Shaq and Jordan wouldn't last on the same team for one season (talk about a collision of egos). Phil's way, they'd last about as long as Kobe and Shaq did... but at least they'd have won championships like Kobe and Shaq did.

[G-Funk]

Zero competition doesn't change the fact that MJ was a much more effective scorer, and much better playmaker. Making MJ - the greatest offensive player in NBA history a 2nd option on offense is beyond stupid.

zero competition only means ur dominating ur opposite.Shaq was scoring 60% in the Finals consistently why go to anyone else? some ppl r stupid

[ShaqAttack3234]

Any coach would be dumb to make MJ a 2nd option to Shaq offensively - MJ is a much better, more efficient offensive player than Shaq - same with Lebron.

If prime MJ, Kobe, Lebron would be sidekicks to Shaq it would be because of defense and rebounding, not offense. Shaq does not impact the game offensively like those guys can especially MJ.

Uh, Shaq WAS the first option on the Lakers offensively, that only changed for a bit midseason in 2003 when Phil gave Kobe more freedom offensively and he went on those 35 and 40 point streaks.

at Shaq not being able to have that same impact offensively. You think it's a coincidence that Shaq is one of only 4 players along with MJ, Kareem and Mikan to win a scoring title and championship in the same season? It's because Shaq's individual offense was one of the most effective we've seen in a team concept. Unlike some, Shaq getting the ball a ton and scoring a ton was in his team's best interests. That's because you couldn't stop him from getting a high percentage shot 1 on 1, and he became an excellent passer out of double teams. He was a master of getting deep position and going up with a quick jump hook as well as knowing when to pass out and re-post.

Only one of those players I'd take over Shaq offensively is MJ.

[Doranku]

Not a single player in NBA history would win Finals MVP over Shaq during 2000-2002.