Replace rookie Kobe with rookie Duncan, would LA 3-peat still?

[AnaheimLakers24]

kobe wins from 2000 - 2014 with pop
prive me wrong

[elementally morale]

I'm not sure they win it all too many times and they certainly don't win without a very good perimeter player or two. Winning it all is not as easy as assuming things on a message board. Replace X with Y rarely gives the desired results in practice. (Yeah, we talkin' bout practice.)

[DMAVS41]

LOL....

Possibly a 5 peat.

They win in 99, 00, and 01 for sure.

My guess is that they likely win 2 of the next 3 years for 5 total. Could see them losing to the 02 Kings, but then winning in 03 and 04.

[Hey Yo]

Hey its an imagination thread bro.... Butterfly effect. Who knows what would've happened.

throwing superstars together doesnt always mean an improvement in the team (howard Kobe pau Nash)

We do know for a fact though that Rookie Duncan riding the pine his first 2yrs wouln't have happened, like Rookie Kobe did.

[DMAVS41]

We do know for a fact though that Rookie Duncan riding the pine his first 2yrs wouln't have happened, like Rookie Kobe did.

The Lakers won 61 games in 98 with Kobe being a detriment to the team essentially with the whole Eddie Jones thing...etc. This is not a knock on Kobe really...just saying it to show how much better they would have been with Duncan. The Lakers would have just kept Eddie Jones (a great fit next to Shaq/Duncan). They won 56 essentially without him (rookie...wasn't that good yet) in 97. Those teams were already very good to great...You put Duncan on them and they become all time great.

Duncan, in 98, was probably one of the top 5 or so players in the league.

You put Duncan on that 98 team and they'd have a great chance to beat both the Jazz and Bulls actually.

A title in 98 was hardly unrealistic.

It took Kobe until the 01 season to get as good as rookie Duncan.

With Duncan and Shaq, the Lakers would have had chances to win in 98, 02, and 04...while being pretty much locks to win in 99, 00, 01, and 03...

[wakencdukest]

NOBODY would score in the paint against them. They'd lead the league in rebounds, offensive and defensive. Kobe would be replaced with a perimeter shooter or two. Teams would not be able to penetrate, causing them to rely solely on 3 point shooting. Fivepeat at least.

[Geezer]

nah, 4 peat minimum

[gcvbcat]

replace shaq with duncan & they probably do.

[Cocaine80s]

A rookie Jeremy Lin would win atleast 3 rings with Shaq

[Marchesk]

A rookie Jeremy Lin would win atleast 3 rings with Shaq

The Kobe hate is strong on ISH, but come on man.

[NZStreetBaller]

I find it ironic that the example you chose to use involves Kobe.

Well its true.... It doesnt take anything away from Kobe. he played great individually that season. even destroyed his ACL in the process.

The mechanics and chemistry of that team just didnt fit despite the fact that their were alot of great individuals.

Kinda like trying to throw v8 forged pistons into a RB25dett. great parts. but not a good fit.

[Inferno]

Yes

[NZStreetBaller]

A rookie Jeremy Lin would win atleast 3 rings with Shaq

To be fair rookie lin is better then prime lin.

[Combat Wombat]

I find it awesome how the three best players of their era could all be found in the same playoff series


you are no better son

Take a look in the mirror, Mr "kobe is a rapist lol".

Pathetic fuckwit.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Is this a joke? They'd win like 5-7 titles. '99-'04 for sure, with a very good shot at '98 and '05 as well.