When its down to the final minutes, and your team's only concern is scoring enough to give the fans free tacos, you know you are kicking ass and taking names.
MJ and M. Ritchmond was always a good match up to watch.They could actually play D with no complain when it's contact and you kno it's gonna be a shootout.But besides that pippen out here ballin.
If I didn't know any better I would have thought Pippen was left handed since he seemed to use that hand to finish the majority of his shots. And it's interesting to see how physical Richmond and Jordan's battle was. Going by today's rules he fouled Jordan like 5 times before he even got a shot up lol.
Kobe fulfilled the similiar role with the Lakers during the championship year. Shaq was the 1st option as should be but Kobe should not be denied his props for helping the Lakers win. Shaq did not win by himself nor could.
Never stated that Kobe never faltered. He has. But Kobes contributions to the winning the championships is unappreciated due to bias from the past on average. Shaq never won anything without another great player. Hardaway in Orlando, Kobe in LA and Wade in Miami. Wade carried the Heat in the 06 Finals. Kobe has the respect of his peers for a reason. He is one of the greatest players of all time. Too bad most fans do not realize this. Then again most have never played against or had real talent.
@KingXfaction1 it's true and on top of that,they were technically better,they shot better,they were more fundamentally sound,had more basketball I.Q. and the biggest thing they just played harder,it's obvious when you compare playoffs games of the 80's and the 90's to playoffs games today...
Sidekicks are not talented as Kobe are. Amazing no one in the League has ever called or even hinted at Kobe being a sidekick but outsiders. Why not call Pippen a sidekick(which he was more of than Kobe) or young Magic with Kareem. Apparently the bias of people is strictly against Kobe. Has the respect of his peers. Too bad too many fans do not show the same appreciation.
***** Otis Thorpe in a Kings jersey? How fitting, since Thorpe had previously played for the Kansas City/Sacramento Kings from 1984-85 to 1987-88, the last of which Thorpe had his best individual NBA season. And halfway through '97-'98, Thorpe returned to the Kings via trade from the Vancouver Grizzlies,...except that the Kings didn't really need to use Thorpe to score double-digit points with Mitch Richmond, Corliss Williamson and Billy Owens taking on the bulk of the scoring load, even though Thorpe was the starting PF/C for the remainder of '97-'98 with Sac-Town before an offseason trade sent him and Richmond to the Washington Wizards for Chris Webber in the 1998 offseason. If it wasn't for a trade to Houston in the 1988 offseason, then maybe Otis Thorpe would've been looked at as one of the all-time greats in the NBA had he stayed with the Kings throughout his entire NBA career from 1984-85 all the way to 2000-01?
2:40 too smooth. LOL @ the girl at the end. Did she say "choke" here 9:17 at the end when the Bulls bench couldn't get tacos? The ball bouncing off Kukoc's head in slo-mo is funny as hell as well. Great upload. Love that Snickers commercial at the end also.
Kobe still came up in game 7 against Smith. Outplayed him there. Smith was never a superstar in this league. He was a good player when he was younger but he is not the talent that Bryant is and was. No disputing that by skill set and career. Elite prospects since his underclassmen years in high school. West saw this. You can debate his personality Cannot deny his talent. Skill set is very advanced.
When I 1st seen Rodman I thought his hair was a cheetah lol but he explained that that those were 3s for 33 scottie coming back after missing the 1st half of the season
Kobe did not shoot well in that series but him not being there was crucial to the Lakers. His presence was not imporant. Kobes skill set brings alot to the table that has causes adjustments. That is why he has been voted the last several seasons as the players that requires the most adjustments(08: 36%. 09: 63%). Dominated the 01 playoffs. Solid in 02 and 03 playoffs.
Yeah he did. Destroyed the Blazer, Kings and Spurs during the Western Conference playoffs. Did not shot well in the Finals against the Sixers but played well on the boards, average 6+ assists and played solid defense. The Lakers would not have won without Kobe or Shaq. They were the stars. They both are dominant players. Sidekicks do not take game winning shots nor carry teams for stretches which Kobe has done with and without Shaq.
yeah that was young Kobe... Kobe and Shaq was a wired duo cause both are dominate scorers and have a hard time with pace and tempo, especially Kobe just like Jordan... However Pippen was a point forward and controlled tempo and pace.
@KingXfaction1 Speaking of which, did you hear what Jeff Van Gundy said in last night's playoff game between the Magic and Celtics? "The NBA. Where soft happens." lolz funny but true.
I am sure Smith would even call you out on that statment. Not the talent that Bryant is and was. Mostly a set shooter used as a set shooter. Not the Blazers primary playmaker or go to guy. Made what 1 all star team? Kobe still put up more rebounds(KB:4.9. SS:2.7), assists(KB:5.9. SS:2.5), steals(KB:1.6. SS:1), and blocks(KB:2.1.SS:1 only) in that saries and season(KB: 5.8 RPG. 4.9 APG. 1.6 SPG. 0.9 BPG. SM: 3.8 RPG. 2.5 APG. 0.9 SPG. 0.4 BPG).
So you're going to ignore how Kobe got his ass carried throughout the 2000 playoffs by Shaq? In the 2000 WCF against Portland Kobe had horrendous games while Shaq was always constant. Kobe in the 2000 Finals 15ppg 4 rebs, and 4 assists on 36% shooting is considered great? Michael Jordan would kill himself if he got his first ring with those numbers. Hell, Pippen would kill himself if he got his first ring with those numbers. Shaq a liability in the clutch? Believe that myth if you want.
???kobe carried the lakers during the 2001 playoffs? you must be kidding! it was Shaq who brought the lakers kobe was still a sidekick until shaq left. as for being liability in the clutch, you were right there but if there's no shaq there, they would have got beaten by the pacers by a large margin..
Kobe wasn't "great" when Shaq led the Lakers to their first title. He was an inconsistent rising star SG that mixed good games with HORRIBLE ones. In the 2000 playoffs Kobe could rarely string two good games together. He would score 25 in one game and then have a game in the low teens (or single digits) in the next while Shaq was throwing in 40. And even with Shaq taking the majority of the defensive attention Kobe still couldn't shoot anything close to a good percentage.
Who hit the game winner aginast Phoenix in game 04 of the Western conference semifinals against a all NBA defender in Jason Kidd? Kobe. Who took over in the crucial gam4 of the Finbals? Kobe. Cant take away from that. Or his dominance in 01 against the Kings and Spurs. Kobe did not win by himself. Shaq did not. No one does. Not Jordan, Magic, Bird. No one.
Like I said they both won those championships. Without either the Lakers would not have won anything. Spurs and Kings would have been the championships. Shaq was their interior presence and Kobe was their perimeter presence. The other players filled in the rest.
Kobe is not perfect. He has done things that I do not like. His shot selection at certain times is my biggest peeve. Arrogant but that is to be expected since he is a world class athlete in which the majority are arrogan despite their humble media displays to appease fans. His skill set is abnormally advanced. Dedication to improvement deserves respect and shows that he is professional where most players settle for paychecks and moderate fame. Cant take away from his accomplishments.
Bryant was injured in game 2. Only played 9 minutes. Did not play in game 3. Miller shot horribly in game 1. 1-16. Bryant was 6-13. 7-16 in game 2. Best game was game 3 with 35 on 11-22 when Bryant was injured. Kobe outplayed him in game 4 in the clutch. Had a moderate game 5. Shot subpar overall in game 6. 8-19. Torched him for the series? No. Kobes worse game was game 5 as was the Lakers. Kobe did not shoot well game 6 but grabbed 10 boards and dished 4 assists and made some defensive plays.
Did Shaq take shots in the clutch? No. Due to Hack a Shaq and his lack of perimeter ball skills. Did Shaq guard the best go to guy on the opposition? No. Kobe did the majority of the time. Was Kobe a liability at the line? No. Shaq was. Who was the go to guy with under 6 seconds on the shot clock? Shaq? No. Kobe. Sgaq needs the ball to be fed to him. Kobe can create his own shot. Kobe was injured during that series and still carried the Lakers to the most crucial victory in the series. Game 4
Has anyone ever called Ginobili a sidekick to Duncan? No because there is very little bias towards him. He is the primary closer for the Spurs and Go To Guy when the shot clock is down. Duncan is 1st option and runs the 2 man game. Kobe is more talented and a better player than Ginobili.
Your statement about Shaq I can live with. He was the dominant force and rightfully so. But the 10 other guards statement is garbage. There are not even 10 elite shooting guards in the NBA at that time. A solid starter? Considering his stats were more than solid(22 ppg. 6.5 rpg. 5 apg. 47% FG%. 82% with a broken wrist. missed 15 games).
How many game winning or game tying attempts has Shaq had in his career? Was he taking those shots in Orlando? No Hardaway and Adnerson(before his decline). Shaq was not the closer for the Lakers. Kobe was. Horry was secondary. Shaq could not create shots in 4 seconds or less.. Kobe can.
Pippen was clearly a superior defender. Offensively no. Kobe is considerably more skilled as a shooter and scorer. Better free throw shooter as well. The Kobe to Shaq statement is not completely accurate. Pippen was a great contributor for the Bulls but he was not the closer for the Bulls. Jordan was. Kobe was the primary closer for the Lakers. Kobe carried the Lakers during the 2001 playoffs to the Finals. Shaq took it from there. Shaq was the 1st option but a liability in the clutch.
Kobe was not an elite guard? That is why he was on the All star, All NBA and All NBA Defensive team by not being an elite guard? Please. Apparently your opinion is greater than the GMs, coaches, players nd media that take part in these selections. Please pretell, who was truly a better shooting guard in the NBA that year other the Iverson who made the 1st team? 10 other guards? What a joke.
Phil Jackson had great respect for Kobe as a player. Not as a person. Then again Kobe respected Phil as a coach but not as person. Spoke highly of Kobes talent in his book The Last Season. Spoke lowly for hmi as person. I would not either. Narcissistic individual. Then again many players are. Jordan, Magic and Chamberlain were huge egotists as well.
Bullshit Shaq didn't take shots in the clutch lol. You're another simpleton spewing the same myths. Shaq took a ton of shots in the clutch AND free throws AND made them. In Game 7 against the Blazers it was Shaq making clutch free throws down the stretch. Kobe bricked two of his in the final 20 seconds. Against the Kings in an elimation game in Game 6 it was Shaq making buckets and free throws down the stretch. Same goes for Game 7. I watched these games. You obviously didn't.
Who threw the crucial alley to Shaq for the finish against the Blazers? Kobe. As Phil stated in his book The Last Season nobody could set up Shaq better than Kobe. The same paragraph stated he would never tell Bryant that due to using it against Shaq. Cant take away from Kobes talent and presence. The Lakers do not. Apparenlty you believe you know more than Phil or West.
Sorry no. Phil Jackson was not even wanted by Jackson due to his focus only on offense and reqiment to get his "touches." Why do you think they did not bring him back if he was so valuable? Miller torched KB? What a joke. That is hwy Bryant busted Miller numerous times in game 4 on a bad ankle with Shaq fouled out. Never said he was the main leader for what that is worth. Stated his impact to the game cannot be minimized due to perceptual bias. By talent and adjustment.
What clutch shots did Shaq hit? Those beautiful fadeaways from 8-12 feet? No. Technically sound jump hooks across the lane? No. Same old Shaq bull dozing. The most mediocre skill set of any of the all time great centers. Without his size he is an average player at best. Can't shoot, subpar footwork, ugly and technically unsound moves. Free throws and hooks look like shot puts. Nothing compared to Olajuwon or Abdul Jabbar by skill set. Chamberlain as well.
Was Shaq the go to guy at the end of the shot clock? No. Kobe was. Did Shaq guard the oppositions go to guy? No Kobe did. Shaq was 1st option as he should have been but if you underestimate Bryants talent and presence than it cleary shows your bias reguardless of fact and professional opinion throughout his career. Glen Rice more imporant? What a joke. Phil did not even want him. Maybe you believe tat Fox or Fisher are better players than Bryant as well? Sorry I will go with the pros.
KB just a role player? What an ignorant statment. Role players do nto have the talent that he has. Role players do not put up dominant numbers. Role players do make primary plays and are go to guys. Amazing how you can critique the judgmeent of an Hall of Famer such as Jerry West. Are you in the Hall of Fame? Miller had a mediocre series. He is not better han Bryant. No where near the athlete, nor pure scorer, nor defender. If Kobe retired tomorrow only Jordan would be ahead as a shooting guard.
Shaq dominated. When you are that big with no physical peer that is a given. With dump truck back downs, shot puts hooks, ugly footwork and a lazy personality. Maybe you appreciatre that. Kobe still came through in game 4, made key plays as he did agasint the Suns in game 4 of the semis. Still made plays.
The Lakers would not have won without either of them. Shaq was not even a primary option with the game on the line since his career in Orlando. Hack a Shaq limited him at the line and lack of sound ball skills limit to create in quick situations. Tex Winter argued with him over his laziness and poor footwork. Unrefined post moves. Size and mass with athleticsim and subpar skills. You apparently are impressed with that. Kobe was the closer for the Lakers. Horry the secondary off of Bryant.
Pippen was the man! One of the best "all around" players of all-time! 💯
Pippen was so smooth. I used to love watching him.
Scottie & Mike were so great!!!
When its down to the final minutes, and your team's only concern is scoring enough to give the fans free tacos, you know you are kicking ass and taking names.
So classic I had this on VHS 📼
MJ and M. Ritchmond was always a good match up to watch.They could actually play D with no complain when it's contact and you kno it's gonna be a shootout.But besides that pippen out here ballin.
the nba back then was soo much better
Scottie was silky smooth 👌🏽
If I didn't know any better I would have thought Pippen was left handed since he seemed to use that hand to finish the majority of his shots.
And it's interesting to see how physical Richmond and Jordan's battle was. Going by today's rules he fouled Jordan like 5 times before he even got a shot up lol.
Indeed, among the best and MOST COMPLETE players of all time. I can't remember MJ taking charges, but Scottie took them ALL THE TIME!
Lol good point, although prob the only thing pip did better than MJ. And Pip was always my favorite bull
@@andrewhoyle1521 and he also was a better rebounder than mj
@@anthonylockhart4943 not by a significant number. Both were good for respective positions
@@andrewhoyle1521 and pippen was also a better 3pt shooter than mj
@@anthonylockhart4943o he wasn’t they were the same on the regular season n jordan was much better in the playoffs. 3 pt
i miss the 90s NBA...but it was good seeing richmond and jordan battling it out....im glad mitch got a ring with the lakers cause he deserved it
Kobe fulfilled the similiar role with the Lakers during the championship year. Shaq was the 1st option as should be but Kobe should not be denied his props for helping the Lakers win. Shaq did not win by himself nor could.
Kobe learned from alot of players. From Oscar Robertson to Dr. J to Magic to Jordan. He is a student of the game as has been documented before.
I use to really love to see MJ and Mitch go@it...
Never stated that Kobe never faltered. He has. But Kobes contributions to the winning the championships is unappreciated due to bias from the past on average. Shaq never won anything without another great player. Hardaway in Orlando, Kobe in LA and Wade in Miami. Wade carried the Heat in the 06 Finals. Kobe has the respect of his peers for a reason. He is one of the greatest players of all time. Too bad most fans do not realize this. Then again most have never played against or had real talent.
Reggie Miller got all that pub for the playoff series vs the Knicks, but Mitch Richmond was the 2nd best SG behind Mike IMO.
No Clyde was
@@TheSands83 at this point Mitch was. Clyde was in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
@KingXfaction1
it's true and on top of that,they were technically better,they shot better,they were more fundamentally sound,had more basketball I.Q. and the biggest thing they just played harder,it's obvious when you compare playoffs games of the 80's and the 90's to playoffs games today...
The last minute of this clip is hilarious. Poor Kukoc lol and I remember that Snickers commercial. I love when the kid runs off with the ball.
9:46 "An old soccer move used by Tony" hahahaha
cute kid at 9:17 ... she wanted them tacos
@klove20w wrong.. in the 00s it was all about the kings and lakers.. kings was robbed...
Sidekicks are not talented as Kobe are. Amazing no one in the League has ever called or even hinted at Kobe being a sidekick but outsiders. Why not call Pippen a sidekick(which he was more of than Kobe) or young Magic with Kareem. Apparently the bias of people is strictly against Kobe. Has the respect of his peers. Too bad too many fans do not show the same appreciation.
***** Otis Thorpe in a Kings jersey? How fitting, since Thorpe had previously played for the Kansas City/Sacramento Kings from 1984-85 to 1987-88, the last of which Thorpe had his best individual NBA season.
And halfway through '97-'98, Thorpe returned to the Kings via trade from the Vancouver Grizzlies,...except that the Kings didn't really need to use Thorpe to score double-digit points with Mitch Richmond, Corliss Williamson and Billy Owens taking on the bulk of the scoring load, even though Thorpe was the starting PF/C for the remainder of '97-'98 with Sac-Town before an offseason trade sent him and Richmond to the Washington Wizards for Chris Webber in the 1998 offseason.
If it wasn't for a trade to Houston in the 1988 offseason, then maybe Otis Thorpe would've been looked at as one of the all-time greats in the NBA had he stayed with the Kings throughout his entire NBA career from 1984-85 all the way to 2000-01?
2:40 too smooth. LOL @ the girl at the end. Did she say "choke" here 9:17 at the end when the Bulls bench couldn't get tacos? The ball bouncing off Kukoc's head in slo-mo is funny as hell as well. Great upload. Love that Snickers commercial at the end also.
Do you have the full game ??
The Bulls should have just bought those fans tacos anyway for being so great! :)
Close, but no taco. 🤣
If a player introduction of Bulls begins this match, I want to look by all means
Kobe still came up in game 7 against Smith. Outplayed him there. Smith was never a superstar in this league. He was a good player when he was younger but he is not the talent that Bryant is and was. No disputing that by skill set and career. Elite prospects since his underclassmen years in high school. West saw this. You can debate his personality Cannot deny his talent. Skill set is very advanced.
Great video!
That Snickers commercial at the end CLASSIC!!!
I must be naive....cause I serious thought the kid in the commercial was going to help him....nope! Give me that ball!😃😄😂#classic
tell me name of comercial at 10:00 or give link to it pls???????
in your face tony !!
link to this comercial at the end????
BURRELL FOR TACOOOOOSSSS!!!!
LOL!!!
When I 1st seen Rodman I thought his hair was a cheetah lol but he explained that that those were 3s for 33 scottie coming back after missing the 1st half of the season
Kukoc at the end reminded me of Semi Pro haha, that was hilarious
Kobe did not shoot well in that series but him not being there was crucial to the Lakers. His presence was not imporant. Kobes skill set brings alot to the table that has causes adjustments. That is why he has been voted the last several seasons as the players that requires the most adjustments(08: 36%. 09: 63%). Dominated the 01 playoffs. Solid in 02 and 03 playoffs.
No soup for you...
Yeah he did. Destroyed the Blazer, Kings and Spurs during the Western Conference playoffs. Did not shot well in the Finals against the Sixers but played well on the boards, average 6+ assists and played solid defense. The Lakers would not have won without Kobe or Shaq. They were the stars. They both are dominant players. Sidekicks do not take game winning shots nor carry teams for stretches which Kobe has done with and without Shaq.
Pippen>Kobe
Pippen contributed more to Jordan than Kobe to Shaq.
yeah that was young Kobe... Kobe and Shaq was a wired duo cause both are dominate scorers and have a hard time with pace and tempo, especially Kobe just like Jordan...
However Pippen was a point forward and controlled tempo and pace.
Larsa
@KingXfaction1 Speaking of which, did you hear what Jeff Van Gundy said in last night's playoff game between the Magic and Celtics? "The NBA. Where soft happens." lolz funny but true.
the bench players are funny...lol!
0:44 Traditional scene... hehehe
We miss you so much "Red"...
They should have given the fans the tacos anyway.
I am sure Smith would even call you out on that statment. Not the talent that Bryant is and was. Mostly a set shooter used as a set shooter. Not the Blazers primary playmaker or go to guy. Made what 1 all star team? Kobe still put up more rebounds(KB:4.9. SS:2.7), assists(KB:5.9. SS:2.5), steals(KB:1.6. SS:1), and blocks(KB:2.1.SS:1 only) in that saries and season(KB: 5.8 RPG. 4.9 APG. 1.6 SPG. 0.9 BPG. SM: 3.8 RPG. 2.5 APG. 0.9 SPG. 0.4 BPG).
Rice was not wanted by Jackson. Typo. My apologies.
what if they kept Mike on the floor to get the tacos then he gets a career-ender because of tacos
So you're going to ignore how Kobe got his ass carried throughout the 2000 playoffs by Shaq? In the 2000 WCF against Portland Kobe had horrendous games while Shaq was always constant. Kobe in the 2000 Finals 15ppg 4 rebs, and 4 assists on 36% shooting is considered great? Michael Jordan would kill himself if he got his first ring with those numbers. Hell, Pippen would kill himself if he got his first ring with those numbers. Shaq a liability in the clutch? Believe that myth if you want.
???kobe carried the lakers during the 2001 playoffs?
you must be kidding! it was Shaq who brought the lakers kobe was still a sidekick until shaq left.
as for being liability in the clutch, you were right there but if there's no shaq there, they would have got beaten by the pacers by a large margin..
who da heck was mitch richmond??
really...how old are you lol
One of the few guys that Michael Jordan couldn't stop.
Kobe wasn't "great" when Shaq led the Lakers to their first title. He was an inconsistent rising star SG that mixed good games with HORRIBLE ones. In the 2000 playoffs Kobe could rarely string two good games together. He would score 25 in one game and then have a game in the low teens (or single digits) in the next while Shaq was throwing in 40. And even with Shaq taking the majority of the defensive attention Kobe still couldn't shoot anything close to a good percentage.
Who hit the game winner aginast Phoenix in game 04 of the Western conference semifinals against a all NBA defender in Jason Kidd? Kobe. Who took over in the crucial gam4 of the Finbals? Kobe. Cant take away from that. Or his dominance in 01 against the Kings and Spurs. Kobe did not win by himself. Shaq did not. No one does. Not Jordan, Magic, Bird. No one.
@PetrifiedFungus Wow, your lucky
deantethomaslovechicagobulls
Scottie came from a family of FreeMasons I believe.
Like I said they both won those championships. Without either the Lakers would not have won anything. Spurs and Kings would have been the championships. Shaq was their interior presence and Kobe was their perimeter presence. The other players filled in the rest.
Kobe is not perfect. He has done things that I do not like. His shot selection at certain times is my biggest peeve. Arrogant but that is to be expected since he is a world class athlete in which the majority are arrogan despite their humble media displays to appease fans. His skill set is abnormally advanced. Dedication to improvement deserves respect and shows that he is professional where most players settle for paychecks and moderate fame. Cant take away from his accomplishments.
Bryant was injured in game 2. Only played 9 minutes. Did not play in game 3. Miller shot horribly in game 1. 1-16. Bryant was 6-13. 7-16 in game 2. Best game was game 3 with 35 on 11-22 when Bryant was injured. Kobe outplayed him in game 4 in the clutch. Had a moderate game 5. Shot subpar overall in game 6. 8-19. Torched him for the series? No. Kobes worse game was game 5 as was the Lakers. Kobe did not shoot well game 6 but grabbed 10 boards and dished 4 assists and made some defensive plays.
Pippen learned from MJ through practice while Kobe learned from MJ through videos!
Did Shaq take shots in the clutch? No. Due to Hack a Shaq and his lack of perimeter ball skills. Did Shaq guard the best go to guy on the opposition? No. Kobe did the majority of the time. Was Kobe a liability at the line? No. Shaq was. Who was the go to guy with under 6 seconds on the shot clock? Shaq? No. Kobe. Sgaq needs the ball to be fed to him. Kobe can create his own shot. Kobe was injured during that series and still carried the Lakers to the most crucial victory in the series. Game 4
Not a Kings fan. Before you attempt to ignorant insult a person without just due, learn how to type and type your thoughts coherently.
Has anyone ever called Ginobili a sidekick to Duncan? No because there is very little bias towards him. He is the primary closer for the Spurs and Go To Guy when the shot clock is down. Duncan is 1st option and runs the 2 man game. Kobe is more talented and a better player than Ginobili.
Your statement about Shaq I can live with. He was the dominant force and rightfully so. But the 10 other guards statement is garbage. There are not even 10 elite shooting guards in the NBA at that time. A solid starter? Considering his stats were more than solid(22 ppg. 6.5 rpg. 5 apg. 47% FG%. 82% with a broken wrist. missed 15 games).
How many game winning or game tying attempts has Shaq had in his career? Was he taking those shots in Orlando? No Hardaway and Adnerson(before his decline). Shaq was not the closer for the Lakers. Kobe was. Horry was secondary. Shaq could not create shots in 4 seconds or less.. Kobe can.
Lmao they playin mase mo money mo problems @6:30
Pippen was clearly a superior defender. Offensively no. Kobe is considerably more skilled as a shooter and scorer. Better free throw shooter as well.
The Kobe to Shaq statement is not completely accurate. Pippen was a great contributor for the Bulls but he was not the closer for the Bulls. Jordan was. Kobe was the primary closer for the Lakers. Kobe carried the Lakers during the 2001 playoffs to the Finals. Shaq took it from there. Shaq was the 1st option but a liability in the clutch.
Kobe was not an elite guard? That is why he was on the All star, All NBA and All NBA Defensive team by not being an elite guard? Please. Apparently your opinion is greater than the GMs, coaches, players nd media that take part in these selections. Please pretell, who was truly a better shooting guard in the NBA that year other the Iverson who made the 1st team? 10 other guards? What a joke.
Phil Jackson had great respect for Kobe as a player. Not as a person. Then again Kobe respected Phil as a coach but not as person. Spoke highly of Kobes talent in his book The Last Season. Spoke lowly for hmi as person. I would not either. Narcissistic individual. Then again many players are. Jordan, Magic and Chamberlain were huge egotists as well.
Bullshit Shaq didn't take shots in the clutch lol. You're another simpleton spewing the same myths. Shaq took a ton of shots in the clutch AND free throws AND made them. In Game 7 against the Blazers it was Shaq making clutch free throws down the stretch. Kobe bricked two of his in the final 20 seconds. Against the Kings in an elimation game in Game 6 it was Shaq making buckets and free throws down the stretch. Same goes for Game 7. I watched these games. You obviously didn't.
More individually? Doubtful. Not as athletic, skilled in isoaltions. Coutd not create off the dribble like Bryant.
Who threw the crucial alley to Shaq for the finish against the Blazers? Kobe. As Phil stated in his book The Last Season nobody could set up Shaq better than Kobe. The same paragraph stated he would never tell Bryant that due to using it against Shaq. Cant take away from Kobes talent and presence. The Lakers do not. Apparenlty you believe you know more than Phil or West.
Sorry no. Phil Jackson was not even wanted by Jackson due to his focus only on offense and reqiment to get his "touches." Why do you think they did not bring him back if he was so valuable? Miller torched KB? What a joke. That is hwy Bryant busted Miller numerous times in game 4 on a bad ankle with Shaq fouled out. Never said he was the main leader for what that is worth. Stated his impact to the game cannot be minimized due to perceptual bias. By talent and adjustment.
What clutch shots did Shaq hit? Those beautiful fadeaways from 8-12 feet? No. Technically sound jump hooks across the lane? No. Same old Shaq bull dozing. The most mediocre skill set of any of the all time great centers. Without his size he is an average player at best. Can't shoot, subpar footwork, ugly and technically unsound moves. Free throws and hooks look like shot puts. Nothing compared to Olajuwon or Abdul Jabbar by skill set. Chamberlain as well.
Was Shaq the go to guy at the end of the shot clock? No. Kobe was. Did Shaq guard the oppositions go to guy? No Kobe did. Shaq was 1st option as he should have been but if you underestimate Bryants talent and presence than it cleary shows your bias reguardless of fact and professional opinion throughout his career. Glen Rice more imporant? What a joke. Phil did not even want him. Maybe you believe tat Fox or Fisher are better players than Bryant as well? Sorry I will go with the pros.
KB just a role player? What an ignorant statment. Role players do nto have the talent that he has. Role players do not put up dominant numbers. Role players do make primary plays and are go to guys. Amazing how you can critique the judgmeent of an Hall of Famer such as Jerry West. Are you in the Hall of Fame? Miller had a mediocre series. He is not better han Bryant. No where near the athlete, nor pure scorer, nor defender. If Kobe retired tomorrow only Jordan would be ahead as a shooting guard.
Shaq dominated. When you are that big with no physical peer that is a given. With dump truck back downs, shot puts hooks, ugly footwork and a lazy personality. Maybe you appreciatre that. Kobe still came through in game 4, made key plays as he did agasint the Suns in game 4 of the semis. Still made plays.
The Lakers would not have won without either of them. Shaq was not even a primary option with the game on the line since his career in Orlando. Hack a Shaq limited him at the line and lack of sound ball skills limit to create in quick situations. Tex Winter argued with him over his laziness and poor footwork. Unrefined post moves. Size and mass with athleticsim and subpar skills. You apparently are impressed with that. Kobe was the closer for the Lakers. Horry the secondary off of Bryant.