Kobe Doesn't Get Enough Credit For 2000 (The Real MVP?)

The 2000-2002 Lakers were the last team to 3-peat and with the Nuggets failing to repeat this season that will likely still be the case for at least 2 more seasons
The best player on all 3 teams was Shaq, a 7'1 350 lbs force of nature playing the premier position in basketball, but not far behind was the best perimeter player in the association in a 21-23 years old Kobe. Despite being years away from his own peak, Kobe was the 00-02 Lakers primary closer, primary playmaker, and primary tough shot maker. Those attributes were especially needed in the most important games and toughest opponnets during the Lakers time on top
In the most important game of the 2000 season - and arguably all of 00-02 - it was not the near unanimous MVP that showed up and played his a game, it was the 21 years old "sidekick" who rose to the occassion and ensured that the Lakers became the last team to 3 peat
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[@premium7182]

that was the game kobe became HIM

[@kobe2curry4rose1]

This generation loves to say "team game". Yet when it comes to Kobe, he apparently got carried by 1 man to 3 straight rings... Logic seems to go out the window when talking about the Mamba

[@QuestionEverything562]

You are right, mamba fans cannot fathom logic. Y'all are the lowest IQ fanatics in any sport.

[@donavonhoward114]

What pisses me off is how people look at point averages, FG percentage, or 3-point percentages to judge whether someone had a good game, or a good series. Those numbers don't account for the flow of the game, and each game is different. There is no logic in it. A player can shoot the lights out in the first 3 quarters, and then shoot something like 1 for 5 in the second half, but that 1 made shot could be the game-winner for example, or maybe the team was already up 10 points, so those missed shots meant nothing. Without context, numbers are just numbers. I was there. I was pretty young, but I saw Kobe and Shaq play together from 1998 all the way to 2005. What a lot of people who weren't there don't remember is that Kobe was already Kobe by the time 2000 came around, and he already had 4 years of playoff experience. Kobe and Shaq were looked at as a failure by that point because they had lost in the first round 3 times, and had only made it to the second round once, and got blown out. Laker fans were already holding up Shaq and Kobe signs in the stands even back in 1998, let alone 1999/2000. Kobe's greatest contribution to those Lakers teams was his excellent defense, and shot making ability. I could not count the amount of times in 2000 where Kobe saved the Lakers from shot-clock violations, scoring droughts, and dominated the second half of games, especially the 4th quarter.

[@cyberTV24]

Great post man. Want to also add that the late Jerry West had a lot to do with the roster construction of the 3 peat Lakers. Truth be told the Lakers lost their magic when he left, his decisions (Shaq, Kobe) kept the franchise afloat after his departure I do wish they were built more around both guys. They never bothered to find a backup for Shaq after 98 so when Shaq was out Kobe had to deal with a roster not built around him and with no interior presence, but he made it work in a role that didn’t optimize him. Doesn’t get enough credit for that

[@TeezyfolKKz]

That’s the era we live in… it’s sad

[@TeezyfolKKz]

@@cyberTV24hard to afford a capable backup behind Shaq. He was a real diva in his career. Particularly in the 90s. A lot of casuals often forget Shaq had his agent request a trade before the 2000 season. He felt he couldn’t win with 4 all-stars (97, 98, & 99).

[@zeddieperryiv799]

@@TeezyfolKKz Bro I'm glad u brought this up I will never take credit away from Shaq because Kobe doesn't win 3 without him and vice versa, but people forget before Phil came and before Kobe blossomed into what we know him as today he was looked at in a similar light to Embid, a great player can put up big numbers but always fails in the biggest moments. They just focus on those 3 years from 2000 to 2002

[@TeezyfolKKz]

@@zeddieperryiv799 this is why Shaq is so insecure. He knows he didn’t start “dominating” the W-L column until all the big men became extinct. Add the fact that he had the 2nd greatest guard on his team and another top 6 SG to win it starts to make sense, but you have to remove the bias.

[@sportswikipedia5739]

Solid video. I think 2002 Kobe is underrated that's when he was at his peak defensively

[@QuestionEverything562]

Uhhh no. 2000 Kobe was his defensive peak because he had the ball less in his hands on offense and was more focused on D.

[@torrisfairley3227]

Some people in the comments misunderstood what the video is about. He's not saying Kobe was better than Shaq, he's simply saying Kobe wasn't just a sidekick and he's absolutely right.

[@kkrugger8056]

I'll go one more.....Kobe was better

[@torrisfairley3227]

@@kkrugger8056 Can't argue with that.

[@Serching4JerryGarcia]

The 3peat Lakers dynasty was a rare moment when the two best players in the world were on the same team. During these playoff runs, I believe Kobe was the leading scorer on the road and he’s the one the team would differ to during close games. Shaq’s numbers in the Finals were too crazy to ignore so they had to give him MVP.

[@cyberTV24]

@@Serching4JerryGarcia Yep, I believe in all (or at least most) of his 5 title runs he raised his scoring on the road Thrived in the hostile road environment and made it easier for his teammates as it’s harder to produce on the road

[@princepeace5892]

Very good observations for a young man that wasn't watching the games live at that time. I watched All of them and you are SPOT ON! Intellectually honest. Good job!

[@feynmanschwingere_mc2270]

GREAT VIDEO! Well contextualized and great understanding of statistics and history. SUBSCRIBED! Excellent video. Kobe's top 2 all time IMO. MJ and Kobe and then everybody else.

[@jjohnson4013]

I agree Kobe save Shaq MVP season in 2000 and in game 7 in the WCF

[@ForEducationalPurposesOnly]

no the refs in 200 and 2002 saved the lakers

[@alih122]

@@ForEducationalPurposesOnlysalty clown🤡

[@dougross5289]

👍 Great content 💯

[@KobesFiles]

That momentum block set the tone for the comeback

[@JIX9ISLER1986]

00s lakers dont beat the blazers without kobe 01 lakers dont beat the spurs without kobe 02 lakers dont beat the spurs without kobe Summary Shaq would have never got out of the West without kobe ...his best chance would have been 00

[@QuestionEverything562]

Bruh, the Lakers don't make the playoffs without Shaq in 2000, 2001, and 2002.

[@straightlead8]

I agree. Kobe was the greatest sidekick of all time

[@JIX9ISLER1986]

@@straightlead8 i agree you are an idiot sidekicks dont average 25ppg

[@JJJJ-he8bz]

Shaq was literally unstoppable during that 3 peat and he averaged 38 points a game against the pacers in 2000

[@cyberTV24]

I’m not denying he was the best player on the 00-02 Lakers, just that Kobe was often their best in the most important games and series. The finals in those days was an afterthought because the best teams were out of one conference

[@MaxwellDrakeford]

The east literally had no body to stop shaq phill Jackson said it himself Kobe get them through the hardest conference ever against those elite teams and elite defenses and when they get to the finals with the weak centers and weak interior defense they just fed Shaq but in the actual series against teams that can compete Kobe was just as important if not even better especially in the fourth

[@JJJJ-he8bz]

@@MaxwellDrakeford Shaq averaged no lower than 28 points a game in the playoffs those 3 years and faced the defensive players of the year in 2001 in the finals and completely abused him averaging 33 a game on him so try again😂

[@cheetahturner4576]

Dude all playoffs games important u ask players they said shaq was their issue not kobe

[@cheetahturner4576]

Mutombo was 4time defense player of yr guess he was bum

[@kaksmirknight5318]

23 pts from 2000 is 32 past 9 yrs. Defense is just non existant. Kobe 2000 playoffs is the closer of the Lakers team. Not Shaq. Just watch game 2 of 2nd rd againts phoenix and game3 again. In West finals Kobe made the pass to Ron for thw winning shot and blocked Sabonis to win game 3. Again in game 6 kobe fought to the end in the rose gardem making 3s. In game 7, Kobe taught Shaq how to be mature and stop his tradional early Fishing.

[@delconagher12]

A great metric of the Kobe & Shaq era is 4th quarter scoring. Lakers didn't care about Shaq in the 4th. 4th is Kobe time!

[@SwordHMX]

A lot of teams didn't want Shaq to beat them in the 4th quarter, and there were few people in NBA history who could punish an opponent for that better than Kobe Bryant.

[@cheetahturner4576]

Dude u fool u dont be close in 4th without shaq check that metric

[@kb2602]

great video my man

[@topherleon]

great content brother

[@younglove3362]

Yes, Kobe doesn't get enough credit for helping Shaq. Just like Pippen doesn't get enough credit for helping Jordan. It happens and people are hypocrites.

[@QuestionEverything562]

Who says Duncan gets max credit for the 2014 title? That Spurs team was one of the rare equal parts teams to win a title. Duncan was without question the best player on 4 of his 5 title squads. Kobe was the second fiddle on 3 of his 5 titles. Duncan was the main man that had the defense's entire focus on him for 4 of his 5 titles. Shaq was the gravity of those three-peat Lakers, not Kobe. Kobe was hardly ever double teamed on the perimeter.

[@lynnerose7891]

Tbf KAJ WAS 40 in 1987. And Riley ADKED HIM yo defer to Magic.

[@ronnieprice-oz9hy]

That's when basketball was BASKETBALL Big Man banging down low and posting up not shooting three pointers like they're doing now batting for the rebounds

[@Kalinbuggs]

2000 suns series Shaq had luc longley on him btw

[@NotAnAstronaut2k]

Just when you thought Kobe couldn't get more overrated, until he passed away lol

[@frederickdelius1106]

How did you watch those games? Was it on here?

[@cyberTV24]

They were easier to find during the pandemic, I took screenshots and even tracked data like touches, time of possession, and doubles drawn which is in a Google drive somewhere lol The NBA has been cracking down more on full games since unfortunately

[@leethomas-gg9ud]

Technology and Helleavenh

[@QuestionEverything562]

Shaq shot better than Kobe from the line in G7 vs Portland. Kobe was terrible at the line in that game. Kobe drew gravity? Any time a player beats his man off the dribble and gets to the paint is going to draw attention. True gravity is when a player is not even threatening to score and the defense is still throwing two or three defenders at him like Shaq in the post or Curry off a screen. Kobe never drew that kind of offensive gravity when just standing out there.

[@cyberTV24]

I’ve taken hundreds of screenshots from a small sample of games disproving that nonsense but that might be a video idea down the road

[@QuestionEverything562]

@@cyberTV24 Kobe had nowhere near Shaq's gravity. Teams had to construct their rosters with throwaway bigs just to foul Shaq. Kobe never got doubled on the perimeter with Shaq on the court simultaneously unless Kobe was trapped in a corner. Everybody gets a double thrown at them in the corner late in the shot clock. Kobe is not the gravitational force you thought he was. Every team's defensive game plan was geared on how to stop or slow down Shaq. It was in the opposing team's advantage if Kobe was taking more shots or getting more touches than Shaq. Richard Jefferson and Chauncey Billups have both claimed that Kobe trying to take the game over was the best way to beat those Lakers squads. For once, look up Kobe's terrible 04' Finals where he cost the Lakers any chance of beating the underdog Pistons with his insane selfishness and pettiness.

[@ForEducationalPurposesOnly]

stop trying to rewrite history. shaq was so dominant and it wasnt even funny. in the 2000 playoffs shaq was first in PER and kobe was 14th. shaq was better in bpm and it wasnt even close. and in this series kobe shot under 34% in 3 games in this series. and one of those games he shot under 25%

[@QuestionEverything562]

Preach.... only Kobetards like this dude think Kobe was better than Shaq during their time together.

[@alih122]

Clown🤡

[@traslenpatterson3478]

That's exactly what I'm saying, I mean what are we doing right now.😂

[@SwordHMX]

The most important game of the dynasty was game six against the Kings. They don't have a third title without the referees help.

[@alih122]

And refs screwed the Lakers in game 5. You clowns spew the same stupid narrative. Queens LOST!

[@willemcenter8649]

Kobe loses the Lakers the game: it’s not how you play in the losses it’s how you play in the wins Kobe playing well in a loss: Kobe was the only one with a positive +/- This video is nothing but glaze, delusion, and lack of bball knowledge. That line just makes it the most clear

[@jordanflores5687]

Had more points, rebounds, assists & blocks than shaq in that game 7 and this is supposed to be the MOST DOMINANT player ever shaq checked out of that game he gave up go back and watch it and watch shaq and his body language he was checked out the bench and kobe led that comeback and shaq got all the glory at the end

[@QuestionEverything562]

Take one game and pretend that was the entire 2000 playoffs... typical Kobe stan logic.

[@jordanflores5687]

@@QuestionEverything562 another dumb dumb who don't watch the games

[@CircularMotion-eh7ct]

@@QuestionEverything562Naa not really just some context behind certain situations that needs to be mentioned. Tell me something which fan base is really obsessed with stats and judge a whole players career based on them.

[@alih122]

@JordanisOverrated2again you are a clown

[@davis2k1234]

@@QuestionEverything562The most important game of the 2000 playoffs title run but sure no big deal just 1 game 2nd most important game of the 2000 run was Finals game 4 weird Kobe showed up big in both

[@michaelbarnes2126]

Bruh I been saying this all over social media in recent weeks. Kobe bailed out Shaq NUMEROUS TIMES 😂. R.I.P. to the Black Mamba Kobe Bryant. Top 5 all time easily

[@QuestionEverything562]

Shaq bailed out Kobe way more times!

[@michaelbarnes2126]

@@QuestionEverything562 there was never a time Kobe left Shaq hanging in important games. Shaq was the one fouling out and missing throws in the clutch. Getting hurt and missing games cause he wanted to be petty and recover on company time. Shaq was doing that and Kobe was still out there balling even while dealing with injuries smh

[@QuestionEverything562]

@@michaelbarnes2126 Name those games outside of Game 4 vs Indy where Kobe rescued fouled out Shaq.... give me the dates on them...

[@QuestionEverything562]

@@michaelbarnes2126 Kobe, as a starter without Shaq in the lineup from 1999 to 2004 was 23-25 in those games. That is a LOSING record without Shaq.... you are so wrong that it is hilarious. Shaq was the one that bailed out Kobe's low IQ brick laying shots.

[@michaelbarnes2126]

@@QuestionEverything562 1st off I don’t have to provide you anything you are a grown ass man look it up yourself lol. Secondly the year Shaq opted for surgery to start the season Kobe was balling keeping the team in the playoffs. So it doesn’t matter what you really say after that. Record doesn’t mean shit when one guy is missing time and the other guy is still on the court. Pulling both their weight

[@MANDMK]

cOOL story bro. Having 1 really good game outplaying Shaq does not mean that 00 title doesn't beloing to Shaq who was MVP, FVMP was 1 place away from being DPOY and had arguably the greatest finals performance ever. Was Kobe important? Yes. Was the team mainly carried by Shaq in this year. YES. End of story. By the same logic Robert Horry producing the buzz beater vs Sacramento in 02 was not a side kick and was equal to Shaq and Kobe ? Come on. Because BOTH Shaq and Kobe failed to score and it was Horry who saved the game. Is he equal to Shaq and Kobe because of that? No. Was Kobe the best player in game 7 vs Portland. YES. Does that make him equal to Shaq ? NO.

[@zeddieperryiv799]

Great video!!!