via Getty
Lakers Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal sit on the bench with foul trouble against the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center Monday. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
via Getty
Lakers Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal sit on the bench with foul trouble against the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center Monday. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Kevin Durant has once again stirred the pot of NBA Twitter to generate a hot debate regarding Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal amid the 2022 NBA Finals. One Twitter user tweeted about the improvements Kobe Bryant had to make to be the first option in a championship-caliber team after Shaq left the Lakers in 2004.
But Kevin Durant strongly disagreed with the idea. In fact, he sternly expressed his disapproval of the concept that Kobe had to build himself up to become the leader of a championship team. According to KD, Kobe was always a champion, even during his stint with Shaq in the Lakers’ three-peat.
KD’s Kobe Bryant comment instigates hot debate among fans
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Kevin Durant’s Kobe Bryant comment induced a hot debate among fans on social media. Incidentally, Kevin Durant has faced a similar situation himself in the past. Kevin Durant generated a ton of disapproval in the media after he joined Steph Curry and the Warriors in 2016.
After that, Curry and KD replicated Shaq and Kobe’s dominance in the league and won consecutive championships. Durant won the Finals MVP on both occasions. But the media and a faction of analysts have often downplayed the two championships citing the formation of a ‘superteam’ by one MVP joining another.
Therefore, KD is quite familiar with the argument against Kobe’s rings with Shaq. The same formula has been applied against him and Curry many times in the past few years.
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Meanwhile, the NBA fans had their own opinions about the situation. Here are some of the best reactions.
KD my favorite tweeter🥇
— Betting Machine (@marzbets) June 13, 2022
Kobe didn’t average 38 and 15 in finals. Casuals tend to forget Shaq is the main reason for his first 3 rings
— kellyO567 (@nrs237) June 13, 2022
But he was never the guy when he won the championship he definitely had to evolve as a player after shaq
— Kenny (@Kennyduhballern) June 13, 2022
Kobe don’t know you 💀
— NICK🕷️ (@Ionlywatchcurry) June 13, 2022
He didn't say he wasn't already a championship player. He said he made improvements. The only change you made in the last few years is getting into conflict on twitter. You were never mentally dominant or commanding enough with Westbrook & the Thunder. Was your flaw and still is.
— BaLLΞR (@balleroffchain) June 13, 2022
The rings Kobe got with shaq and the ones he got without shaq are different that’s why smh you literally trying to do the same thing winning one without steph them because leaving made no sense so it is what it is
— King Dow (@KDBDDowking) June 13, 2022
Dude… Kobe never stop adding to his game. Come on, you stop it.
— TheGoat (@Keytoriy) June 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/jmthagoat/status/1536210486546599936?s=20&t=s6pznMCBhSBhPkE8DAbE-Q
When did he say Kobe didn’t add to his game? He just said he was already a championship player. You can be a championship player and continue to work on your game
— Logan Michael Shoemaker (@medicoreatbest) June 13, 2022
He already had the ability Yk what Kd meant
— Hirambe_ (@IncognitoRambe) June 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/ynho30/status/1536212128214003712?s=20&t=s6pznMCBhSBhPkE8DAbE-Q
Like Chuck said it’s difference between being a the bus driver and the passenger. Kobe wanted to prove to himself that he could win it without shaq.
— DeCarlo Smith (@cNotoriousBUD) June 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/BlakeS819/status/1536322991226703872?s=20&t=s6pznMCBhSBhPkE8DAbE-Q
Kobe and Shaq’s role in the Lakers’ three-peat
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal together made one of the greatest duos in NBA history, if not the greatest. Their iconic partnership led the Lakers to three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002. However, Shaquille O’Neal won the Finals MVP on every single occasion.
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via Getty
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JUNE 12: Kobe Bryant, Lindsey Hunter and Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate following Game Four of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets on June 12, 2002 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)
By raw numbers, the difference between the two legends is undeniable. Kobe averaged 15.6, 24.6, and 26.8 points per game respectively in the three Finals from 2000 to 2002. On the other hand, Shaq averaged 38, 33, and 36.3 points per game respectively.
However, the Lakers won two more championships in 2009 and 2010. Kobe won the Finals MVP on both occasions. Therefore, the opinion that Kobe Bryant only became a championship player after Pau Gasol joined the Lakers in 2008, stems from these facts.
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Do you agree with KD’s analysis? Comment your thoughts below.
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