Been wanting to do this one for a while. Figured I'd take some time this summer and banish a couple of false narratives to the shadow realm. Which one should I take apart next? Like, comment, and sub if you enjoyed! *Hit the bell next to my name if you want notifications on my vids!* Business email: Theweightliftingcentral@Gmail.com Patreon: patreon.com/dom2k16 Facebook: facebook.com/dom2k16 Twitter: twitter.com/dom_2k Instagram: instagram.com/dom_2k Snapchat: Dom_2k
Dom2k Carried may not be the right word but Shaq was far and away the best player... Total average stats for 3 championships (15 games)= Shaq=36 PPG, 15.4 RPG, 3.7 APG, 3 BPG, 209/351 60% FG, Kobe=20 PPG, 6 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1 BPG, 113/266 42% FG,
What a fucking joke. He was carried simple. Did he play his part? Yes. But it's the same as Kyrie in 2016. He averaged 27 while LeBron averaged 29 but it was still Bron who lead the team. Kobe never lead any on his first 3 championships and that's not even arguable
Richy M Shaq wouldn't have won without Kobe. Shaq was in LA for years and never made it to the finals until Kobe reached stardom. Stop hating. LeBron, MJ, Shaq and others prove that one man can't win it all alone.
Chris Bryant Kobe wouldn't have won without Shaq. There's a reason the years they played together Shaq has the finals mvps and the MVP. Yes, they needed each other but there's no denying Shaq's the more valuable one. Stop it!
@@Only2GendersCommonSense that was in the west though he made the playoffs as virtually the only one on the team only east teams can have one star and dominate though their confrence though they have to be bonifide... while you had the spurs dallas suns with great teams to contend with... soon as the lakers gave kobe a good player they dominated
Okay, let's get this straight with facts. Shaq truly carried Kobe and the Lakers only ONCE through the postseason. First Championship Run (2000): Shaq lead scoring 16 times Kobe lead scoring 6 times First Round (Pts/Trb/Ast): Shaq: 29.4/17.4/2.8 Kobe: 27.8/4.4/3.6 Second Round: Shaq: 30.2/16.2/2.6 Kobe: 21/3.8/3.4 Third Round: Shaq: 25.9/12.4/4.3 Kobe: 20.4/4.9/5.9 Finals: Shaq: 38/16.7/2.3 Kobe: 15.6/4.6/4.2 Second Championship Run (2001): Shaq lead scoring 8 times Kobe lead scoring 8 times First Round: Shaq: 27/15.7/2.7 Kobe: 25/4.3/7.7 Second Round: Shaq: 33.3/17.3/2.3 Kobe: 35/9/4.3 Third Round: Shaq: 27/13/2.5 Kobe: 33.3/7/7 Finals: Shaq: 33/15.8/4.3 Kobe: 24.6/7.8/5.3 Third Championship Run (2002): Shaq lead scoring 8 times Kobe lead scoring 9 times First Round: Shaq: 25.7/11.3/4 Kobe: 26/5.7/5 Second Round: Shaq: 21.4/12.2/3.2 Kobe: 26.2/5.4/4.8 Third Round: Shaq: 30.3/13.6/1.6 Kobe: 27.7/6.3/3.9 Finals: Shaq: 36.3/12.3/3.8 Kobe: 26.8/5.8/5.3 Conclusion on the 3peat: The first championship run, the most prime time Shaq ever had, carried Kobe and the Lakers all the way to the finals, but the second and third, Kobe had major contributions that enabled him to "lead" Shaq and the Lakers to the finals. But when Shaq faced weak competition, they let the offense still flow through Shaq as he is number 1. Kobe having those stats was no sidekick material, and stars in this era barely average like that, and no 21-23 yr old NBA player has done it like Kobe did while playing in the more physical league with not-so-friendly rules. Over the course of the playoffs, Kobe locked down the best perimeter players, the best options on the opposing team's scoring end such as Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson, and etc. Although he wouldn’t guard them ALL the time, but he still locked them down when the team needs it. Fourth Run (2003, lost to eventual champion Spurs in the 2nd round): First Round: Shaq: 28.7/15.3/3.7 Kobe: 31.8/5.2/6.7 Second Round: Shaq: 25.3/14.3/3.7 Kobe: 32.3/5/3.7 Fifth Championship Run (2004, lost to Pistons in the finals): First Round: Shaq: 16.2/11.2/3.6 Kobe: 24.4/5.6/6.2 Second Round: Shaq: 22.5/14.5/2 Kobe: 26.3/6.3/5.8 Third Round: Shaq: 20.7/15.7/2.8 Kobe: 24.3/4/5.5 Finals: Shaq: 26.6/10.8/1.6 Kobe: 22.6/2.8/4.4 Conclusion after 3peat: If you looked at Shaq’s match ups, his numbers decreased when went up against elite big men like prime Tim Duncan, Yao Ming, and etc. while only dominating weak competition. Kobe went through tougher competition his whole playoff career like good defensive stoppers in young Raja Bell, Bruce Bowen, old Reggie Miller, old Gary Payton, and lot of "Kobe stoppers", etc. That’s why you see Shaq’s numbers explode through the roof when he gets to the finals and plays against a very very weak eastern conference teams (except Detroit, whos players were able to stop him). Kobe managed to even save Shaq in 2000 when Shaq was clearly the better player. 2000 WCF Game 7: Kobe led team in points (25), rebs (11), assist (7), and blocks (4) and back to back clutch shot + assist to Shaq + lockdown defense. Shaq had 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block. Shaq provided less than Kobe in a game 7 against a stacked western team = Portland with young Rasheed, Smith and, Pippen. Shaq led the whole Lakers team in turnovers. So as to what I'm saying a lot of times, without Kobe, Shaq is a walking turnover machine and prone to fouling out. Kobe during 2000 Finals vs Pacers: Helped lockdown Reggie Miller while providing good stats in Game 1; Injured by Jalen Rose in Game 2; Did not play Game 3; Saved Game 4 during the 4th quarter and OT with Shaq fouled out and him still recovering from the injury; All Lakers are crap in Game 5; And even with poor 26 points on 27% FG in Game 6, still managed to drop 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks, playing as a SHOOTING GUARD. Conclusion to all: Kobe EARNED all 5 rings and was the best contributor, meaning the underrated true "leader", for 3-4 of the championships, with the first 3 as the number 2 option in the offense and "sidekick" to the number 1 option Shaq. He was their best "all-around" player that can shoot and guard and also led the team in steals per game average. He also led the team in playoff win shares EVER. Kobe knew his role but maximized who he can be and played 150% almost every game, that's why he got those rings.
Kobe Bryant doesn't matter I will prove that your the G.O.A.T as a Virgo we wonna be the best at everything! they can say what they want Jordan did not have all the arsenal u did and the films don't lie! So um ready to defend my Lakers and the best player I ever watched seriously ! Mike never won with out pippen, but Kobe Bryant did it with out shaq facts
You forgot the 03 and 04 seasons when kobe averaged more than shaq. And in the playoffs in 03 when Kobe averaged 32 and shaq with only 27. Might be the reason the lakers didn't win and 4 or 5 chips and the "shaq carried Kobe debate" (which I obviously know isnt true) always stops after 02 because Kobe became KOBE! as it was hard getting drafted out of High school then playing with a guy getting 38 and 15 in the finals... Once shaq slowed down just a bit Kobe got more and more dominate, but where were those 40 and 15 games at when they needed you shaq???
that's when he wasn't I. shape eating hamburgers. that's why Kobe was on his ass. if Shaq stays in shape they win 5 straight and Shaq could have left. Shaq messed that whole thing up being jealous of Kobe. Kobe was a beast even at a young age. I didn't remember how good he was. he was out playing shaq in alot of those series. which is craxy
"Where were those 40 and 15 games when they needed you Shaq?" So what you're saying is Kobe NEEDED to be carried by Shaq by him putting up those monster numbers (40 and 15 by Shaq) to win. Got it.
When you say Shaq "only" averaged 27 in 03, that means that when Kobe averaged less points than that in 00-02, he only scored that many points and was carried. Got it.
Devin Pettit That means the inside is clogged, and it's not like Kobes man was gonna double lmao, but you know, the system totally wasn't surrounded on using shaq to his fullest by giving him passing options while getting doubled/tripled since he was the most dominant force in the league at the time (arguably most dominant in history), Shaq may have been the best player, but Kobe was a close second throughout their time as teammates.
People always say "Finals mvps" But I say, look at the centers he faced lmao Old dikembe Rik smits (lol) And Todd Macullogh Who was staring c enter for the Nets LOLOLOL Wow much have been tough The best defender was on Kobe all the time And be w as guarding their best scorer ALL THE TIME (Youngest all star and defensive first team)
Agent of Chaos LOLOLO Ron Harper was 36 an 37 years old Rick fox was 30-34 years old when their wining NEITHER MAN A DEFENSIVE TEAM IN THEIR CAREER Kobe is a 12 Time NBA all defensive team (tied for most with MJ) 9 time First team all defensive (tied for most with MJ) Those years include 2000(NBA first team all defensive) 2001(NBA second team all defensive) 2002 (NBA second team all defensive) 2003( NBA first team all defensive) So you're wrong bye
2000 finals: Kobe: 15 ppg on 36% Shaq: 38 ppg on 61% and 17 rpg (almost doubled Kobe's field goal % and MORE THAN DOUBLED his ppg) I'd say definitely carried his first ring.
br 1251 you just going off the finals stats plus Kobe wasn’t fully healthy cuz jalen rose injured him in the 2nd game and there were some games were Kobe had to take over cuz Shaq was either fouled out or they were fouling him on purpose cuz he couldn’t make free throws
2000 finals, Kobe was carried. Kobe: 15 ppg on 36% Shaq: 38 ppg on 61% and 17 rpg (almost doubled Kobe's field goal % and MORE THAN DOUBLED his ppg) Then you may want to think again. If that's not getting carried, I don't know what is.
@@Only2GendersCommonSense that’s straight up hating without context. He was literally injured in some of the games and he only played 8 mins in one of those games... obviously that would drop his averages but carry on lol keep hating. I’m sure u one of them people who gives him credit after he’s dead lmao straight up hater
Dunks, fade aways, footwork, finesse, flashy, passing (even tho ppl say he doesn't), great defense, mamba mentality, free throws, and decent 3pter - Played in the West (playoff stats and percentages would be tougher in the west) - Man Kobe was one heck of a player. Kobe is the kind of player basketball players would like to play like, just like Jordan. Haters won't admit it. - I love these video because they go into detail and show more than just stats, because basketball is more than that.
Indeed, Kobe was never carried by Shaq. The way the triangle works is that it exploits the break in the defensive link of the other team. Since nobody can really hold down Shaq in the paint and he can just bully his way to the basket, naturally the offense would flow through him resulting in more touches and scoring opportunities for him. It has to be noted, though, that Kobe's presence spread the floor for the Lakers which helped Shaq a lot with the spacing he needs so he can do his thing in the paint.
2000 finals, Kobe was carried. Kobe: 15 ppg on 36% Shaq: 38 ppg on 61% and 17 rpg (almost doubled Kobe's field goal % and MORE THAN DOUBLED his ppg) If that's not getting carried, I don't know what is.
There's no way in Sam's hell Kobe gets co-finals-MVP with Shaq out there. 2000 finals, Kobe was carried. Kobe: 15 ppg on 36% Shaq: 38 ppg on 61% and 17 rpg (almost doubled Kobe's field goal % and MORE THAN DOUBLED his ppg) 2001 and 2002, Kobe played better but Shaq still averaged more points per game, shot better from the field, and led the team in rebounds per game. To suggest co-finals-MVP is absolutely ludacris.
br 1251 dim literally explained why Kobe wasn’t carried are you dense? He left game 2 early because of jalen rose and he sat out game 3 because of the injury. Kobe led 2 comebacks in that playoff run. How can someone who gets carried lead comebacks and average 20+ in the PLAYOFFS.
@@richboyjullianhicks6604 1.) Jalen Rose? 😂😂😂 2.) Ron Artest was not on the team, so your lieing has already lost you credibility. 3.) Reggie Miller was old and was never selected to an all defensive team.
ten rush LeBron wouldn't have won without Kyrie, but the difference in the comparison is you could debate who was better between Shaq and Kobe on that team, does any sane person question who's better between Kyrie or LeBron? The better comparison is Kyrie is Pippen to LeBron being Jordan: He needed Kyrie to get over the hump.
LeBron made it to the NBA finals without Kyrie in '07 (never minding when he had Bosh & D-Wade in Miami). But before LeBron came back to Cleveland, Kyrie never even made it to the playoffs.
Shaq was the better player on those Lakers teams, but Kobe was a very close second! Shaq couldn't have made it without Kobe and vice versa. And I'm a lebron stan!
Tmac was a solid defender in both those seasons, posted higher DBPM than kobe with less paint defense, and finished with a better career dbpm even when suffering more significant losses do to injury. tmac could have done it
People only think Shaq carried Kobe because Lakers didn't face a great center in the Finals. Everyone knew Spurs vs Lakers was the real Finals and no way do they win those series without Kobe
Yo bro thank you for posting this I am Huge Kobe Fan the 2000 year is Kobe most impressive to me as a young Kobe in two clutch game winning playoff games
Great video. What are Kobe’s 4th quarter numbers vs q 1-3. It always seemed like he owned the 4th quarter when Shaq was in foul trouble. Kobe always had the ball because shaq couldn’t shoot. Also has shaq ever in his career hit a shot outside of 15’?
ok I've seen enough. subscribed. I only sub to the best anymore but like most people I really appreciate quality content but I love when you combine that with informed opinion and natural talent. keep up the good work. Peace & thanks
I felt Kobe got robbed for mvps and he was more dominant and skilled than lebron will ever be. Lebron is good but his problem is that he can only play in his unique style and being a point forward. He can play off the ball he isn’t well rounded. Kobe was a complete player this whole term of being a 2 way player is mind boggling when being a basketball player you play both offense and defense.
Really strong video. I remember when the playoffs were still going on a month ago and some talking head was saying Shaq carried Kobe, and everyone just nodded as if it was gospel. Ridiculous.
2000 finals, Kobe was carried. Kobe: 15 ppg on 36% Shaq: 38 ppg on 61% and 17 rpg (almost doubled Kobe's field goal % and MORE THAN DOUBLED his ppg) If that's not getting carried, I don't know what is.
@@Only2GendersCommonSense Did you not watch the video? Kobe was intentionally injured by Jalen Rose in game 2. Are you also forgetting that he scored 28 points in game 4 despite that injury to save the Lakers from potentially being 3-2 into game 6? You're what's wrong with LeBron stans.
@@SmoothCriminal12 Having one good game out of 5 played isn't good at all. And before he got "hurt", he had 14 points in game 1, which was below his average, so the injury didn't affect him as much as you think.
JesusismyKing777 And they probably wouldn't win those finals of Kobe didn't save them and hit clutch shots in the 4th. If you're looking at the negatives, you always have to look at the positives too. I can tell you would be a bad team mate to play with on the court, because you would only focus on the negatives.
BlakeVsMainStream dude big shot rob and dfish was closing a lot of those games with late fg's yeah maybe reg season but for the marbles in playoff games nae bro and he is notorious for bad game seven and elimination or closing game 6's and thats all facts Dom I fucks with you heavy but you know damn well what carried mean and Kobe couldn't take that team to the finals without Shaq leading the way and I can guarantee Shaq amd the Lakers could have without Kobe albeit his talents.
KD the GOAT scorer #KDCurryBestDuo Of course Shaq contributed more, he's 7ft tall and weighs over 300 pounds, who's stopping him? Shaq had match ups in his favor every time he stepped on the court, Kobe on the other hand, had to deal with the likes of Dwayne Wade, Allen Iverson and a few other Shooting guards. This does not mean Kobe was being carried, Kobe averaged 20pts in the playoffs, and showed up in significant games, if anything, Shaq and Kobe carried the Lakers.
b4daa who cares tho yeah Shaq was better but Without Kobe there's no Rings he probably would have been A Barkley or Malone great player no Rings or if he won with wade people would say Great player but his 1 ring he wasn't even the best player Magic wasn't the best player for his first ring No one hold it against him David Robinson wasn't the best for one of his 2 rings J Kidd wasn't the best for his ring that's not knock all those players still played big roles Kobe put up some of the mist historic numbers during the 3peat & so did Shaq if it wasn't 50/50 I'll say 55/45 in Shaq favor
Kobe was a bit like a Scottie Pippen that stood by the side of Shaq. Jordan couldn't win without Pippen, and Shaq couldn't win without Kobe. Kobe obviously grew and so did his role. It's a little like Durant and Curry. It's still confusing who the leader is. Shaq played the role of the star, and Kobe was the-I guess the word is sidekick that grew.
Nets 4life The difference was that pippen was drafted he wasn't brought from another team was already established as the 50 greatest NBA player to play the game. Him and Jordan grew together alongside with Phil as a young rookie head coach. Before Phil Jackson became a coach he was the right hand man of Doug Collins. That team grew together unlike lebron where he was handed all stars who were already established as 1st ballot hofs. Kobe was drafted in 96 but already had a good cast of players he had to beat to get the SG position, But then got the help he needed for his 2nd time when he went to finals from 08 to 10 which I might add gasol was not going to be a 1st ballot hall of fame player because he wasn't the top 15 player back in those days and wasn't even close to being top 3 in pf/C those years. Duncan Garnet Nowitski where far better then pau gasol. Do I consider Kobe being better then Michael no but he is way closer then any athlete that have played the NBA. If the NBA never vetoed the cp3 trade (trust he got robbed of 3 more titles) would he still be better then Jordan. No because he still had those final losses he would of been tied with him but not better then Michael. I do believe one day Michael will be surpassed and go 7/0 but not lebron its a shameful way to put him there on that list of Michael, Kobe, Magic, Bird, Duncan.
two of the greatest kobe&Mj Nah C'mon better than bird, Kareem and magic? No way, not even close. The guy choked alot during the finals except magic but not for a whole series like Kobe did vs Pistons and pacers, none of these guys ever did, and he didn't play as many great teams as them. Shaq was the clear no.1, not saying he carried but we all knew who was the best but in Kareem and Magic's case there wasn't a clear best player.
Great video. I really love their relationship in those years together. They hated each other but they have the same goal and they delivered. Man I want to see another Shaq/Kobe type of situation in any team.
They didn’t hate each other maybe they weren’t the best of friends but they got along well enough for them to win three rings in a row and honestly it was good for Kobe that him and Shaq split after almost a decade of playing together because it gave Kobe a chance to show that he can win as the clear number one guy on his team and he went to three finals in a row and winning back to back rings with Gasol!! If Shaq stood in LA I believe him and Kobe would’ve won 3-4 more rings together and Shaq would’ve gotten most of if not all the credit and that’s why Kobe wanted his own team but according to the haters he was selfish for doing that!! Kobe was in a no win situation when it came to these haters because if he had Shaq his whole career he would’ve gotten little to no credit like he still does till this day with his first three rings but since he decided to have his own team he considered selfish for doing that.
Thanks for this video. I wanted to shout my lungs out on how people discredit Kobe's accomplishments when in fact without Kobe, Shaq would have never won those rings. And Kobe just proved it that he didn't need Shaq to win rings of his own. And he did it twice too. Kobe deserves all the respect he needs not only as one of the best basketball players of all time (top 2) but as an individual who changed the game.
Since no one will see this... Brian Scalabrine is NOT the GOAT Edit: Woah , woah! Calm down! I meant GOAT as in Grape Orange Apple Tickles! That would be... um, George Washington. Of course Brian Scalabrine is the Greatest of all time! *Nervous Laugh*
I think to understand this, you need perspective and context. We all acknowledge Kobe is a top 15 at worst, realistically top 10 player of All time. We are judging by those standards. When we say carried, we don't mean like Derek Fisher. We're just giving context, the best player on that team was undeniably Shaq, if you are not the best player on your championship teams for 60% of your championships. I'm sorry that diminishes your legacy. Superstars need stars. Bron needs Kyrie and needed wade, MJ needed Scottie. Shaq had Kobe, who wasn't just a star but a superstar. However, the other greats needed help, Kobe was the help. He might have been the greatest help of all time, like Kareem to Magic. But he was still the help. Understand that.
A Person "kobe was the help" 22 years old avg 29 points 7 rebounds 6 assists and lead Lakers in win shares 2001 playoffs. avg 30 at 22 years old is the help?
i really appreciate how well thought out and organized your videos are, it makes it easy to kick back and listen and not have to think about what you missed. everything gets explained
Except that Kobe OWNED and was THE BEST PLAYER as he displayed that in Them Western Conference Playoffs! And Shaq was the most physical dominant in the Finals!
Dom, when people say "kobe got carried by shaq" they imply that he was not the best player on that team, which he simply was not. Shaq was the more dominant player at the time and was probably the best player in the NBA. Kobe was great, but I would argue that he was replaceable. Shaq was simply such a force that he commanded all of the defense's attention and made the game easier for perimeter players. I'd say if you replace Kobe with any perimeter/wing all star from those early 2000 years that the lakers would have 3-peated regardless. T-Mac, Vince Carter, even jason kidd were arguably better than Kobe at this time (of course they werent when it was all said and done tho). Kobe was simply not the dominant force that shaq was and was not the main reason why the lakers won those 3 rings. He played a big part but ultimately played a limited part that could have been very well filled by players like T-Mac, AI (especially AI), and Vince Carter. Just like you can replace Kyrie with Steph Curry or maybe Dame and the cavs would be fine and maybe win even more.
Ken S you forget Kobe is a defensive beast,just look at his defensive accolades do those guys have the same accomplishments?Not to mention Kobe being more clutch
Kobe wasn't carried. People who say that are either idiots or jealous. Kobe was 21 years old it was good that he can play with the LAKERS, not in college.
He had Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Steve Nash, and Amar'e Stoudemire. Any NBA player surrounded with this level of skilled players franchise-to-franchise-to-franchise would excel also. Kobe brought Shaq three rings, and Wade and the refs brought Shaq his fourth. Shaq isn't as skilled as Kareem, Hakeem etc. as a basketball player, he is much stronger and more dominant though.
KingxJ 08 youre a stats idiot. watch the 2000 finals and watch kobe take over and lead the lakers to a win in game 4 when shaq fouled out...lebron can get numbers but has no killer instinct and needs a stacked team just to win a ring...im a basketball fan but i cant respect how lebron destroyed the game
Lork Lorkman Kobe has lower percentages in the clutch than LeBron and Kobe has less game winners in the playoffs and less 40 point games in the finals, that's kind of a stretch to say he doesn't have any especially since Kobe is looked at as one of the clutchest players in the game. He had to leave playing in a trash team 7 years with the organization giving him no players to work with. Everyone needs teammates to win.
Lork Lorkman Idk where this LeBron topic popped up but Imma say this. LeBron led those early Cavs teams to the Finals with no other star on those teams. Then, he went to Heat. Yes, he had 2 other stars but that's not a "stacked" team. OKC pretty much had the same situation when they had Westbrook, Durant, Harden, and Ibaka. What Golden State has is a stacked team. You can't compare that to what LeBron has worked with
*The easiest way to debunk the "Shaq carried Kobe myth*...... From 2000-2004 the Lakers played a total of 18 playoff series. (4 in 2000, 4 in '01, 4 in '02, 2 in '03, and 4 in '04). Of those 18 playoff series, Kobe *LED THE LAKERS IN SCORING IN 10 OF THOSE SERIES.* Which means Kobe led the Lakers in scoring in 55.5% (More than half) of the Lakers' playoff series during their most unstoppable run. Kobe was the Lakers' leading scorer for 10 of those 18 playoff series. Let that sink in. .....*Done.*
Here's the thing about Kobe. I agree he is a great player and I would put him 10th all time and I agree he wasn't carried those first 3 championships. The thing I don't like is people saying Kobe is greater than Lebron with absolutely no facts backing it up. The thing is Kobe wasn't the best player in those first 3 finals wins. Without him they obviously wouldn't have won but shaq proved he was the most valuable. Lebron has always been the most valuable in his finals wins and the stats show it. Just saying I don't agree Kobe was carried in his finals but he wasn't always the most valuable.
And both of you think lebron was the better player out of the 1st and 3rd chip. Because if I recall lebron didnt carry Irving last year. And he certainly didnt carry wade back in 2012. Wade and Irvin specially Irvin got robbed of those finals MVPs. if it wasn't for Irving stopping a hurt curry and being a monster in all 7 games you can say bye bye to that chip. Lebron was handed that finals MVP just like 2012 when he actually never deserved.
two of the greatest kobe&Mj wtf are you smoking? Kyrie Irving was sensational but to say he got robbed of finals MVP is so disrespectful to lebron your a fuckin hater and in that case gasol should of won finals MVP over kobe in 2010 dumbass and d wade was great in those 2012 finals but lebron was an absolute monster, your an idiot
two of the greatest kobe&Mj so the player that led both teams in all 5 major statistical categories (Lebron) should have not won the finals MVP in 2016? What drugs are u smoking???
TheBeastboy720 Sensational? he had what 48 points in one of those final games. that isn't sensational it was mind numbing. Irving carried the entire load and had the biggest clutch shot in game 7 on the line and drilled it in currys face to win them the series. All 7 games all of them kyrie kept them close. That and the league gave them a break by suspending green in a nba finals that i havent seen in my 45 years of watching basketball. He carried Lebron in that series more then lebron carried him. Did we see the same finals? if it wasn't for kyrie no chip awarded for lebron kyrie got screwed out of a finals MVP. if there was no kobe with Shaq he would have zero rings because no one at that time was more clutch then kobe. Not tmac not Vince Carter, not Allen Iverson, not jkidd, not dirk not even Duncan or ray Allen or Scottie pippen.
Kobe didn't win a single one of the 3 Finals MVPs. He averaged 20 PPG on 42% shooting over the three Finals too...with Shaq averaging 36 PPG. He got carried, sorry.
The man literally just gave you like 2 minutes of context as to why he averaged those numbers, and dropped an 11 minute video as to why he WASN'T CARRIED...and you make that comment lol.. obviously you're entitled to post what you want but c'mon lol..
John Harris Okay, let's get this straight with facts. Shaq truly carried Kobe and the Lakers only ONCE through the postseason. First Championship Run (2000): Shaq lead scoring 16 times Kobe lead scoring 6 times First Round (Pts/Trb/Ast): Shaq: 29.4/17.4/2.8 Kobe: 27.8/4.4/3.6 Second Round: Shaq: 30.2/16.2/2.6 Kobe: 21/3.8/3.4 Third Round: Shaq: 25.9/12.4/4.3 Kobe: 20.4/4.9/5.9 Finals: Shaq: 38/16.7/2.3 Kobe: 15.6/4.6/4.2 Second Championship Run (2001): Shaq lead scoring 8 times Kobe lead scoring 8 times First Round: Shaq: 27/15.7/2.7 Kobe: 25/4.3/7.7 Second Round: Shaq: 33.3/17.3/2.3 Kobe: 35/9/4.3 Third Round: Shaq: 27/13/2.5 Kobe: 33.3/7/7 Finals: Shaq: 33/15.8/4.3 Kobe: 24.6/7.8/5.3 Third Championship Run (2002): Shaq lead scoring 8 times Kobe lead scoring 9 times First Round: Shaq: 25.7/11.3/4 Kobe: 26/5.7/5 Second Round: Shaq: 21.4/12.2/3.2 Kobe: 26.2/5.4/4.8 Third Round: Shaq: 30.3/13.6/1.6 Kobe: 27.7/6.3/3.9 Finals: Shaq: 36.3/12.3/3.8 Kobe: 26.8/5.8/5.3 Conclusion on the 3peat: The first championship run, the most prime time Shaq ever had, carried Kobe and the Lakers all the way to the finals, but the second and third, Kobe had major contributions that enabled him to "lead" Shaq and the Lakers to the finals. But when Shaq faced weak competition, they let the offense still flow through Shaq as he is number 1. Kobe having those stats was no sidekick material, and stars in this era barely average like that, and no 21-23 yr old NBA player has done it like Kobe did while playing in the more physical league with not-so-friendly rules. Over the course of the playoffs, Kobe locked down the best perimeter players, the best options on the opposing team's scoring end such as Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson, and etc. Although he wouldn’t guard them ALL the time, but he still locked them down when the team needs it. Fourth Run (2003, lost to eventual champion Spurs in the 2nd round): First Round: Shaq: 28.7/15.3/3.7 Kobe: 31.8/5.2/6.7 Second Round: Shaq: 25.3/14.3/3.7 Kobe: 32.3/5/3.7 Fifth Championship Run (2004, lost to Pistons in the finals): First Round: Shaq: 16.2/11.2/3.6 Kobe: 24.4/5.6/6.2 Second Round: Shaq: 22.5/14.5/2 Kobe: 26.3/6.3/5.8 Third Round: Shaq: 20.7/15.7/2.8 Kobe: 24.3/4/5.5 Finals: Shaq: 26.6/10.8/1.6 Kobe: 22.6/2.8/4.4 Conclusion after 3peat: If you looked at Shaq’s match ups, his numbers decreased when went up against elite big men like prime Tim Duncan, Yao Ming, and etc. while only dominating weak competition. Kobe went through tougher competition his whole playoff career like good defensive stoppers in young Raja Bell, Bruce Bowen, old Reggie Miller, old Gary Payton, and lot of "Kobe stoppers", etc. That’s why you see Shaq’s numbers explode through the roof when he gets to the finals and plays against a very very weak eastern conference teams (except Detroit, whos players were able to stop him). Kobe managed to even save Shaq in 2000 when Shaq was clearly the better player. 2000 WCF Game 7: Kobe led team in points (25), rebs (11), assist (7), and blocks (4) and back to back clutch shot + assist to Shaq + lockdown defense. Shaq had 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block. Shaq provided less than Kobe in a game 7 against a stacked western team = Portland with young Rasheed, Smith and, Pippen. Shaq led the whole Lakers team in turnovers. So as to what I'm saying a lot of times, without Kobe, Shaq is a walking turnover machine and prone to fouling out. Kobe during 2000 Finals vs Pacers: Helped lockdown Reggie Miller while providing good stats in Game 1; Injured by Jalen Rose in Game 2; Did not play Game 3; Saved Game 4 during the 4th quarter and OT with Shaq fouled out and him still recovering from the injury; All Lakers are crap in Game 5; And even with poor 26 points on 27% FG in Game 6, still managed to drop 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks, playing as a SHOOTING GUARD. Conclusion to all: Kobe EARNED all 5 rings and was the best contributor, meaning the underrated true "leader", for 3-4 of the championships, with the first 3 as the number 2 option in the offense and "sidekick" to the number 1 option Shaq. He was their best "all-around" player that can shoot and guard and also led the team in steals per game average. He also led the team in playoff win shares EVER. Kobe knew his role but maximized who he can be and played 150% almost every game, that's why he got those rings.
Ok so Iggy carried Curry, Kawhi and Tony Parker carried Tim Duncan, Maxwell carried Bird, Worthy carried Magic and Dumars carried Isiah. It's such a dumbass statement. Look at the entire playoffs, not just the Finals. Anyone alive back then knew that the real Finals were the WCF, where Kobe outplayed Shaq.
fresh5324 2000 finals stats (average)shaq 38-17-2 with 2.7 blocks on 61% efficiency. Kobe 15.6-5-4 WITH 36 % efficiency and 20% from three. You could replace kobe with pretty much a decent player have those numbers
You can tell that people use the argument that Kobe was carried are people who simply didn’t watch basketball then. I was a little kid but even I remember how the Spurs, who did have a good interior defense, would give Shaq trouble and Kobe would be the one to take over those series. They really took turns as to who would dominate which series
