POLL How many more titles could Shaq and Kobe have won if they had stayed together?

[The Q]

I went with 2.

Shaq had 4 more seasons of at least 17ppg and as a #2 to Kobe I think that would have been pretty solid and I think they would have found the role players they needed to surround them.

I say 2 because Shaq won in 06 anyway and 05 only lost cause of a fluke injury (random banging not a tear) plus wade’s fluke injury.

But that also assumes the lakers might’ve done better adding guys for the mle the following years

 

[msgkings322]

Since you didn't have the zero option I picked potato salad. Winning titles is hard. Winning 2 in a row is really hard. Winning 3 in a row is crazy hard. And winning 4 in a row hasn't happened since the Celtics had almost all the good players in a 8 team league.

So they won 3 and then didn't in 2003 or 2004. I don't think we can be sure they win another at all with how the drama was playing out. Burnout is real, changing it up got Shaq one more and Kobe 2 more.

 

[The Q]

Since you didn't have the zero option I picked potato salad. Winning titles is hard. Winning 2 in a row is really hard. Winning 3 in a row is crazy hard. And winning 4 in a row hasn't happened since the Celtics had almost all the good players in a 8 team league.

So they won 3 and then didn't in 2003 or 2004. I don't think we can be sure they win another at all with how the drama was playing out. Burnout is real, changing it up got Shaq one more and Kobe 2 more.

The Lakers also completely redid their roster including bottoming out so they could get Bynum.

But if we're assuming they would've gotten back on the same page (which I think is what this thread is assuming) I would feel pretty good with 2 titles in the next 3 years.

 

[The Q]

Since you didn't have the zero option I picked potato salad. Winning titles is hard. Winning 2 in a row is really hard. Winning 3 in a row is crazy hard. And winning 4 in a row hasn't happened since the Celtics had almost all the good players in a 8 team league.

So they won 3 and then didn't in 2003 or 2004. I don't think we can be sure they win another at all with how the drama was playing out. Burnout is real, changing it up got Shaq one more and Kobe 2 more.

you and @DJ

VERY, VERY important question:

does purple and gold tater salad have mayo in it?

 

[The Q]

False

They lost to the Spurs in game 7 of the finals. The following year was Miami

Unless you mean the following year after 2005. Lol

After both Shaq and Wade had fluke injuries.

The Heat were steamrolling without that.

 

[DJ]

I say 2 because Shaq won in 06 anyway and 05 only lost cause of a fluke injury (random banging not a tear) plus wade’s fluke injury.

But that also assumes the lakers might’ve done better adding guys for the mle the following years

See.....this is why.....despite being a Celtics fan.....you know your shit.

 

[DJ]

Purple and gold tater salad is mayo based all day....mustard tater salad is average at best. Mayo based is average at worst to good at best.

 

[The Q]

Purple and gold tater salad is mayo based all day....mustard tater salad is average at best. Mayo based is average at worst to good at best.

I hate mayo. Can’t do it

 

[DJ]

I hate mayo. Can’t do it

Sorry......friend.

 

[rmilia1]

2 or 3

I voted 3 but I'd probably actually lean towards 2 a i think more about it

 

[msgkings322]

you and @DJ

VERY, VERY important question:

does purple and gold tater salad have mayo in it?

I think you just get purple potatoes and Yukon gold ones and you're good

 

[fightinfunbags]

 

[DJ]

Since you didn't have the zero option I picked potato salad. Winning titles is hard. Winning 2 in a row is really hard. Winning 3 in a row is crazy hard. And winning 4 in a row hasn't happened since the Celtics had almost all the good players in a 8 team league.

So they won 3 and then didn't in 2003 or 2004. I don't think we can be sure they win another at all with how the drama was playing out. Burnout is real, changing it up got Shaq one more and Kobe 2 more.

Sorry, should have a 0 option I guess.....but most knowledgeable NBA fans would think they could get at least 1 more since Kobe was in his prime and Shaq could still ball.....

 

[msgkings322]

Sorry, should have a 0 option I guess.....but most knowledgeable NBA fans would think they could get at least 1 more since Kobe was in his prime and Shaq could still ball.....

This knowledgeable fan saw them fail in 2003 and 2004 and doesn't see why any speculation like this can be guaranteed. At the start of last year did we think the Warriors were gonna win? And we knew their whole team. Did we know Toronto would win theirs? Milwaukee? It's very very rare for a team to be obvious title winners (like the Bulls in MJ's day or the 2017 Warriors). Titles all involve a lot of luck. I stand by my vote and if pressed could maybe argue they get 1 more. It's certainly possible. But Shaq wasn't getting any younger or more in shape and the 2005 Spurs were pretty good too...

 

[SteelersPride]

Infinity

 

[msgkings322]

Infinity

So almost as many as Bill Russell?

 

[broncosmitty]

Sorry, should have a 0 option I guess.....but most knowledgeable NBA fans would think they could get at least 1 more since Kobe was in his prime and Shaq could still ball.....

In scenario village, does Phil cut off his nuts and just dedicate his life to two idiots egos?

I mean, they don’t trade Shaq, they don’t win two more after Phil came back. And he came back cuz there can only be one ridiculous ego. Other than his.

It’s not a net positive if old Shaq stays.

 

[broncosmitty]

He won one in Miami.

You won two with Kobe, after moving on from what became Big Shaqtus.

Hold those two dear. Instead of trying to pretend people aren’t who they are/where.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

After both Shaq and Wade had fluke injuries.

The Heat were steamrolling without that.

Sure. 3 to 3. Steamrolling.

 

[The Q]

Sure. 3 to 3. Steamrolling.

Shaq was injured in a prior round, wade got hurt in game 5