MVP
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This carrying argument always makes me laugh. As if Kobe was Mario Chalmers out there throughout the playoffs.
1999-2000: Shaq- 30.5 ppg, 15.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.4 bpg; Kobe- 21.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.5 spg
2000-2001: Shaq- 30.4 ppg, 15.4 rpg, 3.2 apg; Kobe- 29.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.1 apg
2001-2002: Shaq- 28.5 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 2.8 apg; Kobe- 26.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.4 apg
And if you want to look at the West playoffs where the real competition was:
1999-2000: Kobe- 23.1 ppg, 4.4 apg, 4.3 rpg, 1.6 spg; Shaq- 28.5 ppg, 15.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.4 bpg
2000-2001: Kobe- 26.4 ppg, 6.2 apg, 6.4 rpg; Shaq- 29.2 ppg, 15.3 rpg, 1.9 bpg
2001-2002: Kobe- 26.6 ppg, 4.4 apg, 5.9 apg; Shaq- 26.4 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 2.5 bpg
Not to mention the back to back 48 & 16 and 45 & 10 games Bean had vs SAC and SA in 2001 or the countless big shots he hit in those 4th quarters in the West playoffs. That is not "carrying" Shaq had monster finals against the likes of Rik Smits, Deke, and Todd McCollough, but the journey to get to that point is where the real bread was buttered. Outside of that first chip, Kobe was an alpha dog playing with another alpha dog not even to bring up him saving that Game 4 vs the Pacers after Shaq fouled out. They needed each other, Shaq was more dominant, especially in the Finals, but to downplay Kobe's role and importance to the Lakers is a fallacy and wrong. Don't know too many "Robins" that put up those kinda numbers Kobe did, if yall can find any please show me.
And if we want to talk about Finals number, ya boy Lebby's career hasn't been that impressive on the biggest stage.
