Does Kobe have the easiest job in the NBA?

[psteng19]

I saw this bit from ESPN in which the commentator made this point, "Being Shaq's teammate is the easiest job in the NBA...."
and I agree.

His arguments:
- Ball goes into Shaq, quadruple team comes, opens up the floor for shots or cuts to the basket by Kobe.
- Anfernee Hardaway, an All-Star while playing with Shaq in Orlando, haven't heard of him since
- Pippen, excelled as a player with another great, MJ, has done nothing whatsoever for Houston or Portland.
- Steve Smith, a career 35% 3 pt shooter, now with San Antonio (Duncan) shooting 47% from 3 pt.
- LA's record without Shaq (?)

I agree Kobe is a talented and gifted bball player, but you might question his ability to succeed without Shaq.

But then again, the formula for a championship team always involves 2 all stars and a decent supporting cast.

 

[b0mbrman]

<< I agree Kobe is a talented and gifted bball player, but you might question his ability to suceed without Shaq. >>


You saw him own everybody at the all-star game...he'd do very well on his own

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Kobe is awesome, but he does have a pretty easy job.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Kobe has skills but the Lakers suck without Shaq. "Hey I'll just stand near the basket and shoot a lay-up because I can't shoot a basket from anywhere else". (In effect, Kobe wouldn't be that great without him)

 

[b0mbrman]

<< Kobe is awesome, but he does have a pretty easy job. >>


I think D-Fish has the easiest job...all he has to do is lob the ball to Kobe or Shaq and he's almost guaranteed an assist

 

[ElFenix]

kobe should go to college.

 

[b0mbrman]

<< kobe should go to college. >>


Heh heh...He should *have gone* to college...it doesn't make sense anymore for him to, though

 

[Dragnov]

<< Kobe has skills but the Lakers suck without Shaq. "Hey I'll just stand near the basket and shoot a lay-up because I can't shoot a basket from anywhere else". (In effect, Kobe wouldn't be that great without him) >>



Because the team is built around Shaq, not around Kobe....

Of course eeryone does better with another star on the team, but Kobe can do jsut fine on his own. Theres numerous times when Shaq is out of the game, and Kobe takes over and owns all.

[edit] Anyone watching the game right now? Anyone see his last couple shots? Kobe has mad skill. [/edit]

 

[LakerGod]

Any players that play on Shaq's team will most definetely have an easier job than playing against him. But this does not take anything off of Kobe's amazing talent. Kobe is just as good at creating his own shots or working without Shaq, it's the rest of the team that seems to suffer more.

 

[b0mbrman]

<< Any players that play on Shaq's team will most definetely have an easier job than playing against him. But this does not take anything off of Kobe's amazing talent. Kobe is just ask good at created his own shots or working without Shaq, it's the rest of the team that seems to suffer more. >>


Heh heh...I'm sure you'll find few complaints from them though...who would mind getting two rings as freebies?

 

[DioCassius]

<<

<< I agree Kobe is a talented and gifted bball player, but you might question his ability to suceed without Shaq. >>


You saw him own everybody at the all-star game...he'd do very well on his own >>


The last two all-star games he was the go to guy for the very talented west. The lakers are mediocre without Shaq, but they would definetly be better if they always had to play without Shaq...they'd just have to adjust their gameplan, which I don't think they do fully when he's just out for a couple of games. TMac might be better though, since he's got great length.

 

[FrustratedUser]

She has to do all the teams. :Q

 

[b0mbrman]

Lakers' record w/Shaq in street clothes: 2-4
Lakers' record w/Kobe out: 2-0

-but-

Lakers' record w/Shaq hurting (limited minutes) or sitting out completely: 11-4
Lakers' record w/Kobe hurt or out: 3-1

 

[hans007]

the offense of the team is not built around kobe. if it was built around kobe, his absense would make a far bigger difference. when shaq is out, the whole team gets crazy since they dont know what to do since the whole offense was built around him. if the offense had no dominant center, you would see them run more and do a lot more back picks etc.

 

[psteng19]

LOL, you know what I just noticed?
With the exception of me, everyone who responded in this thread is either from Texas or Cali, with the Cali peeps defending Kobe/Lakers
Is there some Texas - Cal rivalry here?

oh, and in the All-Star game, he wasn't designated the go-to-guy. (IMO there are no go-to-guys in all star games)
He was a ball hog, plain and simple and that's why he got boo'ed
I know Kobe is a great player, but I think he's too cocky.

flame away

 

[LakerGod]

------> psteng19

 

[b0mbrman]

<< LOL, you know what I just noticed?
With the exception of me, everyone who responded in this thread is either from Texas or Cali, with the Cali peeps defending Kobe/Lakers
Is there some Texas - Cal rivalry here?

oh, and in the All-Star game, he wasn't designated the go-to-guy. (IMO there are no go-to-guys in all star games)
He was a ball hog, plain and simple and that's why he got boo'ed
I know Kobe is a great player, but I think he's too cocky.

flame away >>


I'd be cocky and a ball hog if I was that good too

[edit] I think we're all from California because we follow the Lakers more closely than anyone else. I'm sure people in Minnesota or Wyoming or whatever don't have Kobe/Shaq facts memorized the way I do...btw, I'm in Berkeley which is closer to Oakland where the Warriors play...but hell if I'm gonna pay attention to them at all

 

[Kanalua]

I would disagree that Kobe has the easiest job in the NBA. He's got a wicked jumper.

 

[spanky]

no i think phil jackson has the easiest job in the nba. all he has to do is sit there and take credit for what shaq/kobe do w/ the lakers... and what MJ did w/ the bulls. hell... if i was the lakers coach, i bet they'd have won the last two titles too. btw... does't phil jackson look like the uni-bomber?

 

[spp]

kobe is good, but he lacks leadership. he doesn't have very good shot selections, and a lot of times he shoots the balls from difficult positions when there are other people open...

but he's learning though, and by the time he's shaq's age i'm sure he'll be good enough to carry the team himself

 

[LakerGod]

<< no i think phil jackson has the easiest job in the nba. >>




LOL. Many would agree with you, although I do think he's a good coach. Dell Harris was good at teaching players who needed to learn how to play, but Phil is pretty good at knowing when to "coach" his team of veterans.

 

[b0mbrman]

<<

<< no i think phil jackson has the easiest job in the nba. >>

LOL. Many would agree with you, although I do think he's a good coach. Dell Harris was good at teaching players who needed to learn how to play, but Phil is pretty good at knowing when to "coach" his team of veterans. >>


Heh heh...what about Madsen?

Gets to keep the bench warm, stay in shape, learn dance moves

And gets paid more than most of his fellow Stanford alums at the same time...not to mention that he's already gotten 2 rings out of it...

 

[LakerGod]

MAD DOG is not just a player, he's a divine personality.

 

[SirDante]

Is someone gonna wake up (B)Rick Fox? Now that mf has the easiest job in the NBA. Absolutely gets the most wide open shots league wide. I'm serious. And he's the worst wide open shooter I've seen this year.

 

[Ismisus]

Richmond has the easiest job. He gets 11 million dollars from the Wizards because they waived him, and 1 million from the Lakers. 12 million a year to have the best seats in the house for the best team in the NBA. Plus he can go to team meetings, participate in practices, go to the lock room, wear an actual Laker uniform. Free trips around USA and Canada, free hotels. Hang out with Shaq. Mitch Richmond has the best job in the NBA followed closely by Shawn Kemp.