[valentine]

if AI switched places with kobe on those early 2000’s squads with shaq how many titles does la win. I say ai and shaq win at least two titles. might have been hard getting past them kings that one year though.

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 i’d say 1

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 i’d say 1

[Hype Machine]

I’m going to stick with 3. I couldn’t definitely say that AI was better or worse than Kobe at that time. 

2000 & 2001 I can’t see how they don’t win against the Pacers & 76ers 

The 2002 Finals is harder to predict. On one hand, the Refs hated Iverson because he was too much of an O.G. – yet on the other hand the Lakers were pre-determined to beat the Kings via corrupt officiating. Nonetheless, I believe Lakers would have still got those insane calls with Bryant or Iverson.

So 3 chips for the Lakers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

2000 & 2001 I can’t see how they don’t win against the Pacers & 76ers

———————————————————————————–

They might have never played against the Pacers without Kobe. They almost lost to an incredibly deep Portland team in the Western Finals that year. In game seven Shaq wasn’t at his best with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 1 block in 47 mins, but Kobe led the Lakers with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks and they pulled off a close victory down the stretch. 

We’ll never know for certain if AI could’ve replicated that performance but it is far from certain he would have, especially with Kobe’s impact on the boards and defense. 

 

 

 

 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

2000 & 2001 I can’t see how they don’t win against the Pacers & 76ers

———————————————————————————–

They might have never played against the Pacers without Kobe. They almost lost to an incredibly deep Portland team in the Western Finals that year. In game seven Shaq wasn’t at his best with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 1 block in 47 mins, but Kobe led the Lakers with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks and they pulled off a close victory down the stretch. 

We’ll never know for certain if AI could’ve replicated that performance but it is far from certain he would have, especially with Kobe’s impact on the boards and defense. 

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

I’m going to stick with 3. I couldn’t definitely say that AI was better or worse than Kobe at that time. 

2000 & 2001 I can’t see how they don’t win against the Pacers & 76ers 

The 2002 Finals is harder to predict. On one hand, the Refs hated Iverson because he was too much of an O.G. – yet on the other hand the Lakers were pre-determined to beat the Kings via corrupt officiating. Nonetheless, I believe Lakers would have still got those insane calls with Bryant or Iverson.

So 3 chips for the Lakers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 Yes I say same, 3 kobe and ai were the best guards at that time in my opinion. Shaq was arguably the best player in the league, some say ai including myself, but Shaq was the most dominant. 

Either way Shaq dominates the same way, & every match up kobe dominated, ai does the same. Either way I wish ai won at least 1 ring.

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 Yes I say same, 3 kobe and ai were the best guards at that time in my opinion. Shaq was arguably the best player in the league, some say ai including myself, but Shaq was the most dominant. 

Either way Shaq dominates the same way, & every match up kobe dominated, ai does the same. Either way I wish ai won at least 1 ring.

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 ZERO!  

Please, what proof is there ever that Iverson could thrive with another ball dominant player. Especially one as ball dominant as Shaq?  24.8, 25.5, 27.8.  Those are AI’s shot attempts per game in the years the Lakers 3 peated.  

 Compare that to Kobe’s 17.9, 22.2 and 20.0 shot attempts.  Kobe also had significantly better FG%.  More assists.  Better perimeter defense (queue up obvious "But AI averaged more steals" defense).  

It’s ridiculous to dismiss Kobe’s willingess to play second fiddle to Shaq and assume that Iverson would have been able to do the same considering his career ended early due to him not being able to accept any other role besides "Shoot the ball every time I touch it."  Assuming that young Iverson could do that is even more ridiculous, when older, I’m going to go broke if I don’t get another contract Iverson wouldn’t even consider it.  If there is a bigger chucker in the history of the NBA besides Kobe it would absolutely be AI.

Nothing in Iversons career tells me otherwise.  My how people forget.

If you want to make the argument that Iverson was as good of an individual basketball player as Kobe that is one thing.  But to mention him in the same breath as Kobe in regards to team success is moronic.

 

 

 

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 You talk about people forgetting you sound absolutely like you didn’t watch that era of bball. Kobe shot the ball a lot even he played with shaq, obviously not as much as Iverson during that time, but ai didn’t have shaq to play with from the time his career started either. 

Kobe had shaq in one period of his career, along with fisher, fox, maybe the best role player ever in horry, at least considering his ring count. Then kobe had gasol & odom. Ai had who with the sixers? Snow & mckies’ fg% dropped  to below 40% in the playoffs mutumbo past his prime. Then ai got traded to the nuggets with melo. It’s not his fault he got traded and put on a team with a young melo at that that played the same way he did.

Your whole point is ridiculous, especially considering kobe demanded out of LA if Shaq wasn’t traded.

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I gave you there shot attempts per game so no I’m not acting like Kobe didn’t shoot the ball alot.  I’m acting like he shot as much as he did.

Thanks for further cementing my point that Kobe could have success on a talented team. He more than proved it through out his career.  He may have had even more success if he could have shot a little less.

You fail to provide an argument or any valid reason why you think AI could plug in as Kobe did.  What does Kobe demanding out of LA have to do with it?  That was after the rings.  Pointless.  He also didn’t get traded did he?  Or ever leave?

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 You obviously stated kobe was a better team player, lik that means everything considering we are talking about kobe, that’s why I brought up him wanting to leave he got shaq ousted just to be the man that’s why he wasn’t traded because kobe was young with room to grow, shaq was already in his prime,.

Ai point blank never played with anyone as good as shaq, the fact that unlike today’s centers who take years to develop 2 post moves, shaq didn’t give up the ball on soft double teams he just dunked over 2 people. If you think the best guard at that time couldnt win thise rings you and everyone who gave you a plus is a dumbass. The idiots on this site are sad.

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 You obviously stated kobe was a better team player, lik that means everything considering we are talking about kobe, that’s why I brought up him wanting to leave he got shaq ousted just to be the man that’s why he wasn’t traded because kobe was young with room to grow, shaq was already in his prime,.

Ai point blank never played with anyone as good as shaq, the fact that unlike today’s centers who take years to develop 2 post moves, shaq didn’t give up the ball on soft double teams he just dunked over 2 people. If you think the best guard at that time couldnt win thise rings you and everyone who gave you a plus is a dumbass. The idiots on this site are sad.

 

[llperez]

 shaq was defenitely not in his prime when he left the lakers. also shaq demanded to be traded, he AND kobe were done with each other. Why it always becomes the kobe ran shaq off angle as if shaq wasnt 50% guilty in their split is beyond me. 

[llperez]

 shaq was defenitely not in his prime when he left the lakers. also shaq demanded to be traded, he AND kobe were done with each other. Why it always becomes the kobe ran shaq off angle as if shaq wasnt 50% guilty in their split is beyond me. 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I gave you there shot attempts per game so no I’m not acting like Kobe didn’t shoot the ball alot.  I’m acting like he shot as much as he did.

Thanks for further cementing my point that Kobe could have success on a talented team. He more than proved it through out his career.  He may have had even more success if he could have shot a little less.

You fail to provide an argument or any valid reason why you think AI could plug in as Kobe did.  What does Kobe demanding out of LA have to do with it?  That was after the rings.  Pointless.  He also didn’t get traded did he?  Or ever leave?

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 You talk about people forgetting you sound absolutely like you didn’t watch that era of bball. Kobe shot the ball a lot even he played with shaq, obviously not as much as Iverson during that time, but ai didn’t have shaq to play with from the time his career started either. 

Kobe had shaq in one period of his career, along with fisher, fox, maybe the best role player ever in horry, at least considering his ring count. Then kobe had gasol & odom. Ai had who with the sixers? Snow & mckies’ fg% dropped  to below 40% in the playoffs mutumbo past his prime. Then ai got traded to the nuggets with melo. It’s not his fault he got traded and put on a team with a young melo at that that played the same way he did.

Your whole point is ridiculous, especially considering kobe demanded out of LA if Shaq wasn’t traded.

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 You bug are an idiot. A special idiot one whose intelligence rivals that of maggot, someone who I would ignore if I met in real life, on a level that would astonish you. You have no basketball sense, I wish God would slash off your a piece of your tongue everytime you talk basketball

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 You bug are an idiot. A special idiot one whose intelligence rivals that of maggot, someone who I would ignore if I met in real life, on a level that would astonish you. You have no basketball sense, I wish God would slash off your a piece of your tongue everytime you talk basketball

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

Kobe, E. Snow, Dikembe/Ratliff, Geiger, George Lynch, Tyrone Hill, Jumaine Jones, Raja Bell

Does that team make it to the Finals in the East?  HellNO.

I respect Kobe and he was a dominant beast anytime AI and Kobe suited up…Kobe just had too much size, prototypical NBA player.

Even in that last game watching Kobe do some serious Curry-esque guard play at 6’7”, its like I forgot all the finesse he had, in addition to his size.

I still think AI and Shaq could have won chips together.  AI never played with a proper complimentary star…..Carmelo Anthony is kind of like AI, both guys don’t really know how to play in a system, but AI makes everyone around him better while Melo is a low-IQ first to don the towel and sag his head kind of guy.

Chris Webber was a shell of himself and I don’t think C Webb was the right complimentary guy anyway (Billy King pos).  

Shaq was one of the few guys AI could have played with.  They put the zone in the league for both AI and Shaq, what would defenses do when facing the both of them?  How many FTs would the two shoot?  

Would have been beautiful tos ee.  Shaq was an absolute monster and AI in his prime, people forget how athletic the dude was…

Mentally would’ve been a nightmare, the Friday’s down the street would’ve ran out of Deep Fried.  But both guys are gamers….both guys played hard when the going got tough.  

 

Would have been beautiful…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

Kobe, E. Snow, Dikembe/Ratliff, Geiger, George Lynch, Tyrone Hill, Jumaine Jones, Raja Bell

Does that team make it to the Finals in the East?  HellNO.

I respect Kobe and he was a dominant beast anytime AI and Kobe suited up…Kobe just had too much size, prototypical NBA player.

Even in that last game watching Kobe do some serious Curry-esque guard play at 6’7”, its like I forgot all the finesse he had, in addition to his size.

I still think AI and Shaq could have won chips together.  AI never played with a proper complimentary star…..Carmelo Anthony is kind of like AI, both guys don’t really know how to play in a system, but AI makes everyone around him better while Melo is a low-IQ first to don the towel and sag his head kind of guy.

Chris Webber was a shell of himself and I don’t think C Webb was the right complimentary guy anyway (Billy King pos).  

Shaq was one of the few guys AI could have played with.  They put the zone in the league for both AI and Shaq, what would defenses do when facing the both of them?  How many FTs would the two shoot?  

Would have been beautiful tos ee.  Shaq was an absolute monster and AI in his prime, people forget how athletic the dude was…

Mentally would’ve been a nightmare, the Friday’s down the street would’ve ran out of Deep Fried.  But both guys are gamers….both guys played hard when the going got tough.  

 

Would have been beautiful…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 ZERO!  

Please, what proof is there ever that Iverson could thrive with another ball dominant player. Especially one as ball dominant as Shaq?  24.8, 25.5, 27.8.  Those are AI’s shot attempts per game in the years the Lakers 3 peated.  

 Compare that to Kobe’s 17.9, 22.2 and 20.0 shot attempts.  Kobe also had significantly better FG%.  More assists.  Better perimeter defense (queue up obvious "But AI averaged more steals" defense).  

It’s ridiculous to dismiss Kobe’s willingess to play second fiddle to Shaq and assume that Iverson would have been able to do the same considering his career ended early due to him not being able to accept any other role besides "Shoot the ball every time I touch it."  Assuming that young Iverson could do that is even more ridiculous, when older, I’m going to go broke if I don’t get another contract Iverson wouldn’t even consider it.  If there is a bigger chucker in the history of the NBA besides Kobe it would absolutely be AI.

Nothing in Iversons career tells me otherwise.  My how people forget.

If you want to make the argument that Iverson was as good of an individual basketball player as Kobe that is one thing.  But to mention him in the same breath as Kobe in regards to team success is moronic.

 

 

 

 

 

[BiggaveliiiParticipant]

 it depends but again nobody could stop shaq who was arguably the best player in basketball during that stretch. They would’ve won multiple championships, Honestly all due respect to Kobe those 3 rings they won because nobody could guard Shaq NOBODY!!!!

[BiggaveliiiParticipant]

 it depends but again nobody could stop shaq who was arguably the best player in basketball during that stretch. They would’ve won multiple championships, Honestly all due respect to Kobe those 3 rings they won because nobody could guard Shaq NOBODY!!!!

[MachettiParticipant]

You plug any all star perimeter player with Shaquille during that time and you still get the same number of championships. There was a time where I thought Vince Carter and T-Mac where better than kobs. Kobe didn’t evolve into Kobe after the Shaq was traded to Miami. Still shocked that Detriot beat the Lakers when they had Karl Malone and Gary Payton albeit pass their primes but still.

[wonzi_bellsParticipant]

 I mean, I think early 2000s Kobe was better than Black Mamba Kobe… It was just a better more all-around game when he was attacking the rim and facilitating more than the iso, excellent footwork, fadeaway game he did later. 

[wonzi_bellsParticipant]

 I mean, I think early 2000s Kobe was better than Black Mamba Kobe… It was just a better more all-around game when he was attacking the rim and facilitating more than the iso, excellent footwork, fadeaway game he did later. 

[MachettiParticipant]

You plug any all star perimeter player with Shaquille during that time and you still get the same number of championships. There was a time where I thought Vince Carter and T-Mac where better than kobs. Kobe didn’t evolve into Kobe after the Shaq was traded to Miami. Still shocked that Detriot beat the Lakers when they had Karl Malone and Gary Payton albeit pass their primes but still.

[llperez]

The thing to keep in mind is that iverson was not a triangle system player. Kobe actually played team triangle ball at least 60% of the time, iverson would not have been able to post up or make passes over the top nor would he have the mentality to not go one on one constantly. I have no doubt iverson would have played great off shaq and he would get the big man the ball quite a bit, but the rest the guys like fox, horry, fish, rice etc.., would not have got involved the way they were able to with the triangle ball movement system. Plus the lakers succeeded because everyone bought in to the triangle, who knows how it would work if iverson would not have fully bought in.

[llperez]

The thing to keep in mind is that iverson was not a triangle system player. Kobe actually played team triangle ball at least 60% of the time, iverson would not have been able to post up or make passes over the top nor would he have the mentality to not go one on one constantly. I have no doubt iverson would have played great off shaq and he would get the big man the ball quite a bit, but the rest the guys like fox, horry, fish, rice etc.., would not have got involved the way they were able to with the triangle ball movement system. Plus the lakers succeeded because everyone bought in to the triangle, who knows how it would work if iverson would not have fully bought in.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I’d say one maybe. Phil Jackson attempting to coach Iverson and teach him the principles of the triangle would sure be interesting to say the least. Theyd still have the most dominating presence in the game but I doubt there team chemistry would be nearly as good. If shaq and Kobe struggled to co-exist one can only imagine the problems he would have had with Iverson. I couldn’t see them getting by Portland in 2000 (a series that they barely won) or the kings in 2002 with Iverson instead of Kobe. A young Iverson would not have been able to get away with the stuff on and off the court he did in Philly if he were in LA. I think they would’ve traded him pretty quickly.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I’d say one maybe. Phil Jackson attempting to coach Iverson and teach him the principles of the triangle would sure be interesting to say the least. Theyd still have the most dominating presence in the game but I doubt there team chemistry would be nearly as good. If shaq and Kobe struggled to co-exist one can only imagine the problems he would have had with Iverson. I couldn’t see them getting by Portland in 2000 (a series that they barely won) or the kings in 2002 with Iverson instead of Kobe. A young Iverson would not have been able to get away with the stuff on and off the court he did in Philly if he were in LA. I think they would’ve traded him pretty quickly.

[cargathusParticipant]

I think a big thing no one has mentioned is Kobe’s defense. Even IF Kobe and AI had the same offensive prowess, AI couldn’t do 80-90% of the things Kobe did on defense.

We have joked about his lack of defense in recent years, but his ability to guard 1-3 and some 4s (at least on switches) was tantamount to the Lakers 3-peat. Iverson got steals but wasn’t a good defender…also he wouldn’t have the versatility that is so useful to coaches and specific defensive sets. j

…So I say 0 championships.

 

[cargathusParticipant]

I think a big thing no one has mentioned is Kobe’s defense. Even IF Kobe and AI had the same offensive prowess, AI couldn’t do 80-90% of the things Kobe did on defense.

We have joked about his lack of defense in recent years, but his ability to guard 1-3 and some 4s (at least on switches) was tantamount to the Lakers 3-peat. Iverson got steals but wasn’t a good defender…also he wouldn’t have the versatility that is so useful to coaches and specific defensive sets. j

…So I say 0 championships.

 

[I CALLED GAMEParticipant]

 0 because AI isn’t & will never be Kobe because through out the years the 2000 Lakers won there 3 titles Kobe Bryant single handedly brought them back from large deficits thats why AI doesn’t have any rings today because he doesn’t possess the type of will power Kobe had. Kobe willed the Lakers to victory in a lot of those games in the 2000 Lakers 3 peat, mean while AI was debating if practice was important.

 

GAME!

 

 

[I CALLED GAMEParticipant]

 0 because AI isn’t & will never be Kobe because through out the years the 2000 Lakers won there 3 titles Kobe Bryant single handedly brought them back from large deficits thats why AI doesn’t have any rings today because he doesn’t possess the type of will power Kobe had. Kobe willed the Lakers to victory in a lot of those games in the 2000 Lakers 3 peat, mean while AI was debating if practice was important.

 

GAME!

 

 

[negguaryParticipant]

 no will power??  Were you actually alive during this era? Did you actually watch ai play during this era ? Because if so that would be the last thing you said about ai….ai was everything he was because of will power….the sixers who were horrible outside of ai were everything they were with him….in fact because he gsd so much he willed them to he finals and in fact was the only team to beat the Lakers that year. WE GOTTA STOP LETTING YALL DUDES TALK WHO NEVER ACTUALLY WATCH THE GAME BUT READ ARTICLES OR OTHERS OPIONIONS….it’s an INSULT to real fans who watch the game PAL!!!

[negguaryParticipant]

 no will power??  Were you actually alive during this era? Did you actually watch ai play during this era ? Because if so that would be the last thing you said about ai….ai was everything he was because of will power….the sixers who were horrible outside of ai were everything they were with him….in fact because he gsd so much he willed them to he finals and in fact was the only team to beat the Lakers that year. WE GOTTA STOP LETTING YALL DUDES TALK WHO NEVER ACTUALLY WATCH THE GAME BUT READ ARTICLES OR OTHERS OPIONIONS….it’s an INSULT to real fans who watch the game PAL!!!

[jhbm24Participant]

 Proof that AI couldn’t play with another Hall of Fame superstar in their prime?

In my opinion AI doing what he did in phili is in the same breathe as what Lebron did with those garbage Cavs teams. It’s been stated that "Kobe played in a system" yet he STILL took 20 shots a game. Iverson was the only thing that the team had going for them so the fact that he took only 4 or more shots a game than Kobe says a lot more about how Kobe wanted to be THE guy of a team that clearly wasn’t his. And you say fg% for Kobe was better……everyone in the nba would have a better shooting percentage of they were on a team with that Shaq! Shaq was the definition of gravity at that time.  Oh and the point that Kobe has proven to have success on a good team is just plain stupid…. The teams were extremely talented! Of course you’re going to have success with teams like those.

[jhbm24Participant]

 Proof that AI couldn’t play with another Hall of Fame superstar in their prime?

In my opinion AI doing what he did in phili is in the same breathe as what Lebron did with those garbage Cavs teams. It’s been stated that "Kobe played in a system" yet he STILL took 20 shots a game. Iverson was the only thing that the team had going for them so the fact that he took only 4 or more shots a game than Kobe says a lot more about how Kobe wanted to be THE guy of a team that clearly wasn’t his. And you say fg% for Kobe was better……everyone in the nba would have a better shooting percentage of they were on a team with that Shaq! Shaq was the definition of gravity at that time.  Oh and the point that Kobe has proven to have success on a good team is just plain stupid…. The teams were extremely talented! Of course you’re going to have success with teams like those.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Show me proof that he could.  The proof is that he never did??

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Show me proof that he could.  The proof is that he never did??

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

AI and Melo played very well together with Denver in 2008, AI averaging 26.4 PPG and Melo 25.7 PPG. It was also the most efficient season of both of their careers with Iverson putting up a TS% of 56.7 and Melo having a TS% of .568. 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

AI and Melo played very well together with Denver in 2008, AI averaging 26.4 PPG and Melo 25.7 PPG. It was also the most efficient season of both of their careers with Iverson putting up a TS% of 56.7 and Melo having a TS% of .568. 

[llperez]

 im gonna have to disagree with you. I remeber that season well and i even watched one of there games on espn classic recently, but while melo and AI both had good indivdual seasons statitisticaly together, they didnt play well off each other at all. It was total your turn while i watch then my turn while you watch. go back and watch qnd it was just a bad fit two iso scorers. Both guys looked uncomfortable trying to share with each other. They went 50-32 which is solid but not great then got swept by kobe’s lakers in the first round. 

[llperez]

 im gonna have to disagree with you. I remeber that season well and i even watched one of there games on espn classic recently, but while melo and AI both had good indivdual seasons statitisticaly together, they didnt play well off each other at all. It was total your turn while i watch then my turn while you watch. go back and watch qnd it was just a bad fit two iso scorers. Both guys looked uncomfortable trying to share with each other. They went 50-32 which is solid but not great then got swept by kobe’s lakers in the first round. 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

 Yeah, they played iso ball, kind of like what Lebron and Kyrie do, but they had no problem sharing the ball and splitting shots almost straight down the middle. I feel like playing with someone like Shaq would have brought out the best in AI. 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

 Yeah, they played iso ball, kind of like what Lebron and Kyrie do, but they had no problem sharing the ball and splitting shots almost straight down the middle. I feel like playing with someone like Shaq would have brought out the best in AI. 

[llperez]

 i think playing with shaq would have been great for AI as well. I dont think that wold have been a problem and I think both guys would have been great. Problem would be phil jackson, the triangle offense and the rest the supporting cast. I think Ai and shaq in a different situation would be awesome, but now we arent just talking how would AI do with those laker teams becasue those lakers teams probably dribbled the ball less then any other team, used the pick and roll less then anyone and utilized the post up and mid range while the opposite side of the court set back screens and spaced. Kobe was able to post up, use the mid range and see over taller defenders to make passes into the post and the opposite corner. Iverson was a one on one driver who also got a lot of assists but from drive and kicks or in transition. And thats before we get into kobes defense wich was significantly better then AI’s. I just dont think people can judge this subject based on kobe vs AI as players, the triangle was a unique offense that pretty much was the exact opposite of what iverson excelled at.

[llperez]

 i think playing with shaq would have been great for AI as well. I dont think that wold have been a problem and I think both guys would have been great. Problem would be phil jackson, the triangle offense and the rest the supporting cast. I think Ai and shaq in a different situation would be awesome, but now we arent just talking how would AI do with those laker teams becasue those lakers teams probably dribbled the ball less then any other team, used the pick and roll less then anyone and utilized the post up and mid range while the opposite side of the court set back screens and spaced. Kobe was able to post up, use the mid range and see over taller defenders to make passes into the post and the opposite corner. Iverson was a one on one driver who also got a lot of assists but from drive and kicks or in transition. And thats before we get into kobes defense wich was significantly better then AI’s. I just dont think people can judge this subject based on kobe vs AI as players, the triangle was a unique offense that pretty much was the exact opposite of what iverson excelled at.

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

 Good points. Definitely agree with all that. Kobe was certainly a better fit for the triangle.

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

 Good points. Definitely agree with all that. Kobe was certainly a better fit for the triangle.

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 It was Shaq’s team and he won those LA titles, so he still wins.

With no Kobe, maybe they keep Eddie Jones too.

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 It was Shaq’s team and he won those LA titles, so he still wins.

With no Kobe, maybe they keep Eddie Jones too.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 No. The Lakers won those titles. Contrary to popular belief, no player has ever won a title by himself. 

Shaq no doubt was the alpha dog and most important player but that was also a great all-around team who had great chemistry when it mattered. There were other guys besides shaq and Kobe who made those titles possible and there were several key playoff games where it was kobe who carried the load as shaq was marginalized  either by foul trouble or not being able to make free throws. Kobe actually sacrificed his game a lot to win those rings. If you remember at the time, it was iverson who was winning scoring titles and MVPs when it could have been Kobe. If you upset that chemistry by having Iverson in Kobes place, I doubt they would have been as successful. While Kobe was not the best team player by any means, he definitely was more of a student of the game and understood the importance of playing within a system much better than Iverson.

 

 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 No. The Lakers won those titles. Contrary to popular belief, no player has ever won a title by himself. 

Shaq no doubt was the alpha dog and most important player but that was also a great all-around team who had great chemistry when it mattered. There were other guys besides shaq and Kobe who made those titles possible and there were several key playoff games where it was kobe who carried the load as shaq was marginalized  either by foul trouble or not being able to make free throws. Kobe actually sacrificed his game a lot to win those rings. If you remember at the time, it was iverson who was winning scoring titles and MVPs when it could have been Kobe. If you upset that chemistry by having Iverson in Kobes place, I doubt they would have been as successful. While Kobe was not the best team player by any means, he definitely was more of a student of the game and understood the importance of playing within a system much better than Iverson.

 

 

 

[jhbm24Participant]

 there is no proof of either circumstance because you’ve never seen him play with a superstar.. Yet you make claims that showing shots attempted is proof of Iverson not being able to win.

[jhbm24Participant]

 there is no proof of either circumstance because you’ve never seen him play with a superstar.. Yet you make claims that showing shots attempted is proof of Iverson not being able to win.

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 A.I. had more quality as a player,

Kobe had much more quantity.

And the NBA Fixed the Kings series.

 

 

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 A.I. had more quality as a player,

Kobe had much more quantity.

And the NBA Fixed the Kings series.

 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 What the hell does that even mean? If by more quantity you mean more success and a better overall career than I would have to agree.

I was actually a huge Iverson fan. He is one of the greatest natural talents to ever play the game and one of my favorite players to watch. He just wasn’t in kobes league as an all-around player. If you gave every GM in the league the chance to do a redraft from 1996 knowing what we know now, every single one would pick Kobe first. 

 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 What the hell does that even mean? If by more quantity you mean more success and a better overall career than I would have to agree.

I was actually a huge Iverson fan. He is one of the greatest natural talents to ever play the game and one of my favorite players to watch. He just wasn’t in kobes league as an all-around player. If you gave every GM in the league the chance to do a redraft from 1996 knowing what we know now, every single one would pick Kobe first. 

 

 

[llperez]

 dont take his posts serisouly. he has a kobe dart board and urinal cakes. But considering what kobe has done to the jazz and how karl malone choose to retire a laker, i cant say i blame him.

[llperez]

 dont take his posts serisouly. he has a kobe dart board and urinal cakes. But considering what kobe has done to the jazz and how karl malone choose to retire a laker, i cant say i blame him.

[DanielcmccartyParticipant]

im a lifelong sixer fan. Did you see that team iverson played with. He didn’t shoot enough hahaha but he took that sorry ass team to the finals on his back.  

[phila9012Participant]

 Yeah, that sixers team is right up there with Lebrons 2007 finals team as some of the worst finals supporting casts in NBA history. Iverson had no one on that team. The more shots iverson took the better on that team

[phila9012Participant]

 Yeah, that sixers team is right up there with Lebrons 2007 finals team as some of the worst finals supporting casts in NBA history. Iverson had no one on that team. The more shots iverson took the better on that team

[DanielcmccartyParticipant]

im a lifelong sixer fan. Did you see that team iverson played with. He didn’t shoot enough hahaha but he took that sorry ass team to the finals on his back.  

[trueone313detroitParticipant]

Iverson probably would have been playing pips role. Pip and ron harper were the primary ball handlers anyway. Fishers minutes would have been cut since him and AI on the court would have struggle to guard 2’s. But AI would have brought the ball up and was a one man fast break machine. He was able to go 1 on 3’s just coming up in the half court sets. Throw shag on the block for dump offs. With a combo of Rick Fox, G rice horry and a 3 / d two guard (but fox guarded the best 2/3 most games so kobe could rest for offense) and you have a nasty combo.
Also thing of how the back screen to pnp (pick and pop) was with kobe and horry. Answer was quicker getting to the rim then kobe plus he passed more too. The lakers top 6 players outside of shaq would have been starters on Phil. On the flip side the only person who could have been considered a starter on the Phil was a Mt Mutumbo. The supporting cast makes a big difference. the lakers 4th – 7th players average more ppg then the Phil entire starting line and 6th man excluding Iverson.
Im in my mid 30’s so I watched a lot of games. I will say only the pistons (ultimate fringe super /all star roster players), Phil with Iverson, Cavs with Lebron, NY knick with (Sprewell/Houston/ Past prime Larry Johnson), New Jersey Nets(J.Kidd), Indy pacers( R miller) and Mavs(Dirk kidd was older and broken down by then.) that didn’t have 2 superstars in the finals averaging a combined 45+ ppg.

[trueone313detroitParticipant]

Iverson probably would have been playing pips role. Pip and ron harper were the primary ball handlers anyway. Fishers minutes would have been cut since him and AI on the court would have struggle to guard 2’s. But AI would have brought the ball up and was a one man fast break machine. He was able to go 1 on 3’s just coming up in the half court sets. Throw shag on the block for dump offs. With a combo of Rick Fox, G rice horry and a 3 / d two guard (but fox guarded the best 2/3 most games so kobe could rest for offense) and you have a nasty combo.
Also thing of how the back screen to pnp (pick and pop) was with kobe and horry. Answer was quicker getting to the rim then kobe plus he passed more too. The lakers top 6 players outside of shaq would have been starters on Phil. On the flip side the only person who could have been considered a starter on the Phil was a Mt Mutumbo. The supporting cast makes a big difference. the lakers 4th – 7th players average more ppg then the Phil entire starting line and 6th man excluding Iverson.
Im in my mid 30’s so I watched a lot of games. I will say only the pistons (ultimate fringe super /all star roster players), Phil with Iverson, Cavs with Lebron, NY knick with (Sprewell/Houston/ Past prime Larry Johnson), New Jersey Nets(J.Kidd), Indy pacers( R miller) and Mavs(Dirk kidd was older and broken down by then.) that didn’t have 2 superstars in the finals averaging a combined 45+ ppg.

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