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That "dominant" big man has been generally useless without Kobe in the playoffs himself... swept out like a pan of dust by the Rockets in Orlando (only getting that far because Jordan was flailing at curve balls), pummeled in 8 out of 9 games by Stockton and Malone over consecutive seasons, and of course swept again by D-Rob and Duncan in the Spurs first title year. It wasn't until Kobe grew into an All-Star that the Lakers ever won anything. That's without even mentioning that Kobe made literally every clutch shot they ever had to have during that run because they didn't dare put the ball in Shaq's hands at the end of the game. Of course, Shaq was amazing himself (usually once he got to the Finals and all of the good centers were gone)... they literally couldn't have done it without each other. That's why they are both all-time greats in my book.dbdynsty25 wrote:As soon as he wins some big games without the most dominant big man in the last 20 years, maybe I'll agree with you. Hell...a playoff game without the big man would be a start.Kazuya wrote:At this point, I think it's safe to say that with three championship rings, his big game track record and his obvious physical ability that he is one of the greatest shooting guards that ever lived.
Which makes it all the more annoying that the two knuckleheads couldn't see this and reconcile their differences. Secretly I think neither player will ever win another title again and 20 years later will only be left with regret about what could have been.Kazuya wrote:they literally couldn't have done it without each other.
While Kobe does get more calls due to his superstar stature, He and Duncan are apples and oranges as far as comparsions imo. Kobe is pretty much relentless in attacking the rim forcing calls to be made. For all Duncan's wonderful gifts, he is not exactly a monster down low meaning he's not exactly Shaq forcing the issue every time. He often operates up at the high post and is more than content to take a short range jumper. The league historically has tended to let more big man action take place before a foul is called otherwise you'd end up with fouls every single trip down court.wco81 wrote:But with Kobe and Jackson, you knew they were going to get consideration from the league. The way Duncan does not when he's fouled inside. For the season to date, Kobe is averaging 10.7 FT attempts compared to 6.9 attempts for Duncan. Of course, Kobe is hoisting 27.7 FG attempts compared to just 15.7 for Duncan. But you see Duncan get hacked inside with no calls a lot more often than you see Kobe, who generates a lot of his scoring with jumpers.
Lamar Odom is not Scottie Pippen no matter how much broadcasters try to make that comparison. Pippen was a legit superstar on his own. Odom is a good enough well rounded player but he's not a star. The lakers lost their other scorer, Butler when they picked up Kwame who can't score at all. Remove Kobe and swap in a player who's just "good" and they are one of the worst teams in the league.wco81 wrote: I don't buy this argument that Kobe HAS to take all these shots because Odom is so inadequate. Kobe has attempted over twice as many FGs, they're both averaging about 40 miutes per game. Odom has a higher FG percentage and they're about the same from 3-point range. Now Odom isn't capable of scoring 82 or even 50. But obviously, they're going to give Kobe the ball and let him shoot unless he's doubled and he gives it up (and guys like Parker are hitting wide open shots to make it difficult to double Kobe).
I think Jordan was more of a factor in keeping Rodman under wraps than Phil, with all those rings and the universal respect everyone had for Jordan as a leader and player. Kobe hasn't gotten the same respect yet, especially as a leader. I could see Artest and Kobe butting heads, big time.sportdan30 wrote:I could see him fitting in with Kobe and Phil in L.A. Phil did a pretty good job controlling Dennis Rodman, and if he can get in to Artest's head, he could be a very good contributor. Heck, he has a pretty good all around game. The Lakers could use him so Kobe doesn't have to score 81 points to win a game.
