How can you like Webber ( pot smoking , money scamming, rule breaking thug) Jordan ( no good womanizing, hush money paying, gambling addict) garnet ( Weak minded, teammate blaming, spoiled underachiever) Tmac ( see above quote) Duncan( White boy) ....and not like Kobe????
I picked the Lakers to bolster your hope. In the words of Jackie Gleason.... How sweeeeeeeeeet it is!!!!
In all seriousness, I think this really opens the door for the Nets.....On another note, im going to make a prediction: Lakers will come back and win the next two titles and then Both Shaq and Phil are gone and the keys will be given to Kobe...why? 1) Shaq will be motivated to come in shape and will be healed...he played very little d this year and never got in shape 2) The Lakers mgmnt. took the 2 star thing as far as they can and it is painfully obvious that although they have to mega stars they also have a) one of the 5 worst pointgaurds in the NBA b) one of the 5 worst power forwards c) on of the 5 worst small forwards.... Horry, Fox and Fischer are Excellent Backups to come off the bench and give quality minutes but they are not legit starters...Lakers need to go get a Legit power forward who can actually grab 10 rebounds a game....and they also need a legit outside shooter....Kobe is not an automatic form outside and most teams are content to let him shoot form 3pt land rather then drive to the hoop.....
Kareem was the focal point of the offense in LA with Magic? When Shaq has stats that come close to this, we can talk... NBA Milwaukee Bucks (1969-75) NBA Los Angeles Lakers (1975-89) Pro Playing Highlights: Holds NBA career records for most minutes (57,446), most points (38,387), most field goals made (15,837) and most field goals attempted (28,307) First player in NBA history to play 20 seasons Led NBA in scoring (1971-31.7 ppg, 1972-34.8 ppg) Led NBA in rebounding (1976-16.9 rpg) Led NBA in blocked shots (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980) NBA MVP (1971-72, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980) NBA Rookie of the Year (1970) All NBA First Team (1971-74, 1976-77, 1980-81, 1984, 1986) NBA All-Defensive First Team (1974-75, 1979-81) NBA Finals MVP (1971, 1985) Played in 18 NBA All-Star Games (1970-1977, 1979-89) NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks (1971) NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers (1980-82, 1985, 1987-88) NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team (1980) NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team (1996) If you look at Kareem's averages at the same age as Shaq, he blows Shaq away. Kareem played so many years, that his scoring, rebounding, blocks, etc. averages are lower due the falling of performance the last 10 years of his career. Sorry, I can't rate Shaq number one when Elgin Baylor, Rodman, Duncan, Gus Johnson etc. have a higher rebound per game average over their careers. Let's see how long Shaq plays, and what his stats look like at the end of his career. Kareem played forever, and only trails Shaq in field goal percentage by .18 points. We both know Shaq is on the downside, and if he does continue to play, he can't play at the level he once did. When was Shaq ever the best defensive player and rebounder in the league? Oh, and Tim Duncan played with Shaq last night like a cat with a mouse.
Kareem was always the focal point in the 1/2 court offense...and the stats you listed were not that impressive compared to Shaq...He's won three titles by 31....Kareem had 1 title by 31.... He's been all D, He's been All star, he should have 4 MVP's and he has been the most dominant force in the game when healthy....I love kareem...My favorite player growing up.....but Im telling you right now, Shaq would throw Kareem around the place and make him cry like a crack whore on a street corner needing a fix!!!....Moses Malone was 4 inches and 40 ibls smaller then Shaq and he use to throw Kareem around....Kareem also NEVER played against a Zone and had one of the 50 best PF of all time ( worthy) playing alongside him and The Best PG ( magic) passing to him.....Hell, Bil Walton gave Kareem Fits....Kareem would have to go shot for shot with Shaq but after numerous elbows and shoulders you know the hook would lose a couple inches
Kareem played in the days before roids, nutrition, and conditioning. So did Wilt, and Russell. You assume the Kareem wouldn't roid up. WRONG. Watch what happens to Yao over the next couple of years through the power of "nutirtion."
Kareem was not known for either 1) his work ethic and 2) his heart......Magic brought the best out in him.....
He was known for smoking the Jablunt, but if he had some real competition, you never know what might have inspired him. He was so dominant early in his career, there were few challenges. He won a championship, unlike Shaq, early on, and went on cruise control.
True ... with a lot of help from arguably the greatest player this side of Jordan.....The Big O....The man's career avg was a TRIPLE DOUBLE