Shaq let Kobe eat? @ dude.
Alright, man.
Shaq and Kobe let those other niggas eat, because their was a significant drop off after those two. After the 2000 playoff run, Kobe was always a huge part of LA's success. The biggest? No. However, LA skated by on Kobe and Shaq.
Frankly, I felt we got exposed a little against Philly. Once Kobe was neutralized, it took Shaq having an utterly dominant Finals to win that shit, because no one on LA could really put the ball on the floor BUT Kobe. Philly flat-out couldn't stop Shaq, so they put a lot effort into neutralizing Kobe, and that freed everyone up.
Everyone talks about the Triangle offense. Man, bullshit. I know how the triangle is SUPPOSED to work, but Kobe had the ball in his hands ALL the time. That is the first time I've heard the term 'The Facilitator' used, because that is what Phil said he needed Kobe to be.
But, it's because of comments you dudes are making in this thread that made Kobe want to get out of Shaq's shadow. This dude was putting up major numbers for LA, being the only dude on the team that could break down defenses with penetration, and all everyone says is, 'Yeah, Shaq won that shit by himself!"
No one even cares about the fact that Shaq had to be BENCHED before Stern changed that rule at the end of games where your teammate could shoot your shots if you got fouled. Who had the ball when Shaq was on the bench? Horry? Fisher? Nah, Kobe was LA's closer. With or without Shaq on the floor.
Everyone remembers that play where Kobe crossed Pip, and tossed that oop to Shaq. This was an end game situation, and LA put the ball in Kobe's hand to make a decision. He decided to pass, and Shaq finished. But, whatever...
...it's a lot to remember Shaq averaging so many points and dismissing Kobe's multi-faceted contributions to LA.
