Could Shaq and Kobe have won more Championships than Jordan and Pippen?

Question

I mean Kobe and Shaq could've been nasty winning so many more NBA Championships but as many as Jordan and Pip? who knows?

Answer 1

Hard to say. Possibly, but they needed the right back-up team to win the 3.

Jordan would have won one no matter what team he was on. Same with Shaq.

But not Kobe. Kobe doesn't have the leadership skills necessary. Plus he blows.

Answer 2

Yes, they could have, but they were by no means better. The Stockton/Malone Jazz of the late 90's, Magic's Lakers, Clyde's Blazers, etc. were all better teams as a whole than the Lakers during the Kobe/Shaq era, the NBA just had a downturn of talent.
Besides, the Lakers won two NBA championships by winning game 7's in the Western Conference Championships that were basically handed to them. The Blazers and Kings both basically beat them 2 years in a row and BS calls let the Lakers into the Championship. The NBA even admitted after that that sometimes big market teams(like L.A.) get preferential treatment by refs.

I FORGOT THIS... had to edit this in afterwards... if Jordan had stuck with the Bulls instead of going and pretending he could play baseball then the Bulls probably would have won 8 straight (tying the record by the 60's Celtics). They could've kept winning too if the Jerry Kraus and the Chicago Bulls front office didn't break the team up intentionally. So I take it back, no, Kobe and Shaq couldn't have had as many. Shaq didn't have enough good years left in him, and that's a fact. Besides, that team was nothing compared to Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Harper, Kerr, Longley, etc.

Answer 3

Had Kobe been mature and not broken up the Lakers, then yes, Shaq could have won more Championships than Jordan. And Yes, Kobe would have road the coat-tails of Shaq as Pippen road the coat-tails of Jordan.

Look, I'm not sad that Kobe had destroyed the Lakers, I hate the Lakers, but the reality is that Shaq was the most dominant player of this generation.

I'm curious to see who will take over the new group of ballers.

Answer 4

Anything's possible, but most likely no. I think it was inevitable that these guys go they're sepearte ways (Kobe, Shaq, Phil), but...

A few things would have to happen for them to even be in contention for another 3 title runs.

1. Shaq would have to take less money. I think Shaq wanted something in the neighborhood of $30 million a year. I think we agree the Lakers did the right thing by trading him. Dude is not worth the $20 million he's getting in Miami now. Not even close!

2. Management would have to be smart and pick great role players. I'm sure if No. 1 happened (Shaq stayed for less cash) than players like Horry and Fox would have stuck around. Horry is ok, still a great role player, but Fox was on his last leg. As was Payton, Malone, Brian Shaw, and Horace Grant. In order for the Lakers to compete they would have to draft well and sign the right players to back Kobe and Shaq. A great start would be signing another all-star cailber front court player to supplement a less than dominant Shaq.

3. Kobe, Shaq, and Phil have to get along. It took a year off for Phil, a new team for Shaq, and a whole lot of losing for Kobe, for all these guys to finally call a truce. I'm not so sure that they would have been able to do this without some space.

So there you have it! If all those things had happened, lets say after the Spurs ended their three-peat in 2002-03, we might have seen a Lakers championship in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Maybe not that quickly, but if they took a couple years off and reloaded maybe they'd win in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Or...whatever. This is just speculation ya' know.

Answer 5

kobe and shaq were too big of stars before playing together, and that ALWAYS brings down team chemistry. jordan and pippen always played together, grew together, made the team together, and in return they won, and won big, so no. i do not believe kobe and shaq could've come close to jordan and pippen. also remember both scotty pippen and michael jordan went to college, where they learned to play as a team, and not be just an ego. shaq went to college at lsu for 3 years as well... thats why the lakers with addition of shaq alone won championships (think how good he made the magic from 92-96, with that expansion team just starting in 1989; and the heat after he left the lakers, to a championship) hope you get my gist, and hope that helps

Answer 6

I really dont understand why pals think Shaq won da RINGS for Lakers like all by himself forgotting da then Lakers team us just too good with da like of Horry,Fisher,Kobe himself and host of other capable winners...Shaq cant cut it without a back bone like most other star inculding JM and KOBE period.

Answer 7

Definitely a yes as long they play togehter as a team , setting aside differences and with Phil Jackson as the coach. They would a very difficult team to beat and the only team that would be obstacle are the Spurs and the Celtics ( East).....

Answer 8

@RobertD: are u joking?? saying Jordan would of won with anyone?? Did you forget when he was alone without pippen?? He didnt win **** no championship soon as pippen boarded they started to win, dumbass.

Answer 9

As much as I'm a Lakers fan, I don't think so. They had their chance, then Shaq split town. If they were truly able to pull it together like Jordan and Pippen, they'd still be together today and would have been on their seventh road to the Championships!

Answer 10

Yes. i love jordan and pips but with those two. they could have gone year after year after year if they had kept horry, derek fisher and got some good younger people. they would dominate.