Ahhh yes. The “Kobe was carried by Shaq so his first three rings don’t count” Myth. This is a take that has been going on for years and is still somehow brought up in numerous NBA discussions. People (Kobe haters) will tell you that Kobe only has those first three rings because he played alongside Shaq, as if to imply that Kobe wasn’t a main contributor to those championships (even though he contributed even more than Shaq at times). Let’s see how that holds up, shall we.
Kobe entered the league in the 1996 NBA Season, as a 19 year old, fresh out of high school. He arrived in LA via the Hornets, to play alongside Shaq. His coach at the time, Del Harris, was completely against playing high school students so Kobe was benched in his first two seasons. In fact, he only started 7 games out of 150 during his first two seasons. He wasn’t a main contributor until his 3rd season which was the 1998 - 1999 season. So prior to Kobe’s development, why were the Lakers not winning championships? Why wasn’t Shaq carrying the team then?
The Lakers were bounced in the second round during the 97’ playoffs to the Utah Jazz, and then Swept again by the Utah Jazz in the 98’ Western Conference Playoffs. In the latter of the two, Shaq posted an amazing 31.5 PPG during the series and still couldn’t manage to take a game. Sounds like he could have used some help.
In the 1998-1999 season, (a lockout season) Kobe would become a full time starter. He would average about 20 points a game for the season. However the Lakers would still fall short of a championship, despite Kobe’s growth from the previous season. They would be gentlemen swept by the Spurs in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Shaq couldn’t handle the Spurs and played poorly against the likes of Duncan and Robinson. He put up 23.8 PPG for the series while Kobe put up 21.3. Even with Kobe becoming a solid 20 PPG scorer, it wasn’t enough for Shaq to win a championship. But somehow, Shaq carried Kobe??? News flash. No one who averages 20 Points per game gets carried. Let’s move on to the Lakers 1st Championship, in the year 2000. 
The Lakers finally pull through and win their first title. Shaq during this season was completely dominant, and won MVP, (some would say it should’ve have been unanimous). And Kobe had himself a solid season as well, averaging 22.5 PPG to Shaq’s 29.7, for the season. People use this season to say that Kobe was carried. And they do this by pointing directly to the NBA Finals, in which Kobe only put up 15 PPG to Shaq’s incredible 38 PPG for the series. There is no question that during this season, Shaq was the best player on the team and most dominant player ever. And yes, at face value, it would seem as if Kobe was carried in this series. What people fail to mention however, is that Jalen Rose purposely injured Kobe in Game 2 by going under Kobe’s foot during a jump shot, causing Kobe to miss Game 3...... a game the Lakers lost. Here is a link to an article if you wanted to read more. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.businessinsider.com/jalen-rose-intentionally-injured-kobe-bryant-during-the-2000-nba-finals-2012-9%3famp
In Game 4 of this series, the Lakers were fighting a close battle with the Pacers. Shaq ends up fouling out in overtime. With the chance to take a 3 to 1 series lead, with No Shaq, Kobe goes on to score 8 points on 4/5 shooting to seal the victory for Los Angeles. These details aren’t mentioned by Kobe Haters when discussing his legacy.
Also, prior to even getting to the Finals, no one ever mentions Game 7 of the WCF, against Portland, to make the Finals. Shaq posted a weak, 18 points and 9 rebounds in that game. Yet the Lakers still won? How???? Well the answer is quiet simple; Kobe Bryant. Kobe would score 25 points, grab 11 rebounds and dish out 7 assists, along with the All time Great lob to Shaq to seal the game with 40 seconds left. But remeber folks.... Kobe was Carried.
Here is a quick graphic, comparing Kobe and Shaq’s playoff stats from their first finals run, to their last...
Kobe literally only averaged 1.5 points less than Shaq. But we still have the debate on whether he was carried or not? Very strange. But next up is where it gets really interesting.
During the early 2000s, the two best teams in the west were the Spurs and the Lakers. Shaq would always seem to be outplayed by Tim Duncan, every time the Lakers matched up against the Spurs in the playoffs. So how was it, that The Lakers were able to win more times than not? The answer? Did you guess Kobe Bryant? You would be correct!!!! Here’s a graphic to show how Shaq was matching up with Duncan:
Now let’s see how Kobe’s stats matched up to Shaq’s in those same playoff series:
In conclusion, saying that Kobe was carried by Shaq is utter nonsense and has zero basis in fact. The Kobe-Shaq Lakers were the most dominant duo ever. I would agree that Shaq was slightly better than Kobe during their three peat, but there were times that Kobe had to pick up for Shaq. It was a 1A to 1B situation, far from a carry job like haters try to imply. And by the way..... Kobe is better than Shaq all time, if you were wondering were I stood on that haha.
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