that was way before shaq's prime and would kobe get that magic team to the finals? i know shaq wasn't the man with the heat, just like kobe wasn't the man with the lakers
all i'm saying is kobe wasn't the best player on 3 of his title teams, people need to stop using his titles in their ridiculous argument comparing him to the great MJ, he is not MJ and he will have to win at least 3 more for me to consider it a valid comparison
that will be 4 titles without shaq, 2 more mvp's would help too
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I have no idea if Kobe would have led the Magic to the Finals.
Regarding Kobe riding Shaq's coattails, here are the regular season stats from 2000-2003:
2000
Shaq 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.0 blocks, .5 steals
Kobe 22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, .9 blocks, 1.6 steals
2001
Shaq 28.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.8 blocks, .6 steals
Kobe 28.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, .6 blocks, 1.7 steals
2002
Shaq 27.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks, .6 steals
Kobe 25.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, .4 blocks, 1.5 steals
2003
Shaq 27.5 points, 11. 1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.4 blocks, .6 steals
Kobe 30.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, .8 blocks, 1.6 steals
I haven't looked at the playoff numbers, but I'm sure they follow the same trend. I watched the games. They were both dominant players. There is no factual basis to say Kobe rode Shaq's coattails.
So, the numbers don't support your contention. Maybe there is something you saw during the games? Did you watch them play?