« Reply #64 on: January 07, 2011, 11:25:44 AM »
They can say it, but I think fewer people will believe it. Kobe, when surrounded by a less-than-stellar surrounding cast, was missing the playoffs. In his prime, Shaq's teams were pretty much a contender every year of his career.
I think "less-than-stellar" is giving that supporting cast that missed the playoffs too much credit. Even Shaq wasn't taking that team to the playoffs.
You mean Odom and Butler? Is that any worse then Cassel and Spree that KG pulled to the best record in the West?
The Lakers were 24-19 when Rudy T went out with his illness and they brought in Frank Hamblen to finish out the season and he went a totally awesome 10-29. It also doesn't help that Odom played 64 games and Kobe only played 66 games. The Lakers were 19-15 when Kobe got hurt, lost Rudy T before Kobe came back, and the team and Kobe just weren't the same down the stretch (which included almost all of Odom's missed time).

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2025 Historical Draft - Cleveland Cavaliers - 1st pick
Starters - Luka, JB, Lebron, Wemby, Shaq
Rotation - Noah, G. Wallace, Melo,
Deep Bench -