Better Duo: Kobe/Shaq or Kobe/LBJ?

[yinoma2001]

Kobe/Shaq obviously won us 3 awesome titles.

But if Kobe/LBJ could have teamed up together, how many could they have won together?

Of course there are many variables such as what the supporting cast would be, etc., but if we approximate the same types of role players around them, and also factor in team chemistry, etc., which would you go with as being the better duo that could win more rings overall?

I go with Kobe/LBJ. Could have been the best duo ever.
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Mission accomplished for Kobe.

[Inspector Gadget]

Kobe and LeBron for sure you are talking about 2 players who have high IQ and are 2 of the best competitors in sports history, there will always be what ifs but what if LeBron didn’t go to Miami and he joins the Lakers in 2010?

[hype]

One season where everyone is at there peak? Kobe/Shaq easily imo

but...

Overall careers or if they are teaming up around there primes and going from there it's easily Kobe/LBJ as both are among the greatest athletes of all time at keeping there bodies right year around. Plus there's much more versatility to easily reload and add any player at pretty much any position kind of what makes LBJ/AD so special as well imo. This is my answer even in a world where Kobe and Shaq never got in a huge pissing contest.

[crazylakerfan001]

Kobe and Shaq easily.

They complemented each other so well. Only if they could put their ego's aside, we would have also won in 2005, 2006, and maybe 2007

Kobe and Lebron both needed the ball, but I can still see them winning a few championships together

[D-Shiznit]

Shaq/Kobe is the best duo in NBA history in my opinion.

[yinoma2001]

I think Kobe would have respected LBJ’s work ethic more and there would be less chemistry issues. Just don’t see how Kobe and Shaq could ever do exist beyond those years they had.
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Mission accomplished for Kobe.

[focus]

Kobe and LBJ. If Shaq 2000 was same in other years, I would say otherwise. That year he had one of the best seasons ever.

LBJ with Kobe would have been much better over the years. Not just better. Better than MJ Pippen too, even with Scottie being the best defender of the group by a decent amount. Better than Magic and Kareem since Kareem was older by that point. Probably the best duo in history in terms of results.

There's just too much LBJ and Kobe could do in tandem with mix and match teammates. Too much offense, too much defense, too much skill, too much dedication, too much will, too much wisdom, too much high consistent standards, too much leadership with Kobe being the stick, Lebron the carrot (or good cop, bad Kob) at the highest level probably.

[yinoma2001]

[focus]

[yinoma2001]

I think LBJ benefits tremendously from Kobe pushing him too.
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Mission accomplished for Kobe.

[CandyCanes]

Only one ball, so Kobe and Shaq.
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Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZrbEjppnd4

[Aeneas Hunter]

[ssiknick833]

[miggz23]

[2019]

My answer to this is, it depends what era. Pre 2005, Kobe and Shaq. Post 2005, Kobe/LeBron.

[yinoma2001]

[focus]

[Runway8]

[Kobetan]

IF we're talking about the current era where every contact ends up a whistle, and every big man shoots 3s, then definitely Kobe/Lebron.

[Aeneas Hunter]

[Mike@LG]

[70sdude]

It's fun occasionally to imagine.

But I reckon that the basis for debate among all of the possible imaginary pairings - and to an remarkably uncomfortable extent - depends heavily on which version of each guy and which era of rule enforcement we agree to consider coupled to each pair of duos. It's all hooey anyway, but trying to eliminate much of the hooey helps define to discussion.

I lean towards liking the 2001 Shaq-Kobe pairing above all others, largely because it is something we actually saw and so can understand the absolute strengths. A pretty stout and proven offense, with inside-outside, low post and driving potential. Pretty capable defensively with properly chosen complementary supporting players. Shaq had become as impossible to officiate as anyone ever was IMO, and that condition was to trigger much of what followed in terms of the new rights granted to ball-handlers in space, in years following. The league moved away from allowing Shaq-like domination inside ever again. Meaningful impact, which make comparison to any next generation (LeBron era) team pretty hard to assess.

[yinoma2001]

[Mike@LG]

[governator]

peak Shaq's 3-peak run was the most dominant playoff run I've ever seen, especially the repeat year, haven't seen anything like it since