Flipping the narrative, how many titles would Drexler win if drafted to the Lakers in Kobe's place?

[penbeast0]

Add the Drexler from each of these years to the Lakers of the Kobe years. How many titles would you guess Clyde wins in Kobe's shoes?

84 Blazers-97 Kobe
85 Blazers-98 Kobe
86 Blazers-99 Kobe
87 Blazers-00 Kobe
88 Blazers-01 Kobe
89 Blazers-02 Kobe
90 Blazers-03 Kobe
91 Blazers-04 Kobe
92 Blazers-05 Kobe
93 Blazers-06 Kobe
94 Blazers-07 Kobe
95 Rockets-08 Kobe
96 Rockets-09 Kobe
97 Rockets-10 Kobe
98 Rockets-11 Kobe

[tsherkin]

Add the Drexler from each of these years to the Lakers of the Kobe years. How many titles would you guess Clyde wins in Kobe's shoes?

84 Blazers-97 Kobe
85 Blazers-98 Kobe
86 Blazers-99 Kobe
87 Blazers-00 Kobe
88 Blazers-01 Kobe
89 Blazers-02 Kobe
90 Blazers-03 Kobe
91 Blazers-04 Kobe
92 Blazers-05 Kobe
93 Blazers-06 Kobe
94 Blazers-07 Kobe
95 Rockets-08 Kobe
96 Rockets-09 Kobe
97 Rockets-10 Kobe
98 Rockets-11 Kobe

Drexler isn't really interesting until 87. Then he starts being a 22/6/7 type player. So, doesn't really make much difference until 2000. Probably slots in better than Kobe in 2000 specifically. 88, I don't know if he has the stuff to match what Kobe did for them in the Sacramento series, so I'd say that one's a no-go, particularly because 88 Drexler fared very poorly against Utah in the playoffs.

02, he's probably good enough to help roll the West and certainly enough to take out the Nets. 03, they are still hindered by Shaq's health and likely don't seed any differently. I definitely don't see Drexler outperforming what Kobe managed in that Spurs series, so I think that one's another no-go.

91 Drexler in 04. Down year for him as a scorer, but one less ego to manage. Kobe and Shaq both missed around 15 games, Malone missed half the season... I don't think they'd be a lot better in the RS. They probably still get past the Rockets and the Spurs. Kobe wasn't particularly good against the Wolves and they still made it through. Malone was healthy, after all. Kobe even stank in game 6 and they still won, so yeah, I think Drexler helps them into the Finals.

I have to wonder how Drexler would fare against the Pistons at the peak of their defensive powers. Kobe looked awful and was enduring the trial. Malone was injured. Shaq was good on O, exploited on D, but they couldn't get him enough touches for it to really matter. I find it difficult to believe it would matter all that much to swap him with Drexler though, with their depleted depth, weak frontcourt, no Horry and Detroit's D.

So I'm thinking 2000 and 2002, mostly.

[FuShengTHEGreat]

I can't see Clyde winning a title in kobes shoes in any season outside of 99-02.

Imho only the 2001-02 season. I think Kobe wasn't that efficient in these playoffs himself. 88-89 strong regular season and playoffs for Clyde and it aligns with that season. . Other than Sacramento everyone else they faced those playoffs were a breeze.

1 title total

[ceoofkobefans]

I think looking at the opposite would be more interesting. I doubt Drexler is making the lakers a title team in 97 since he’s coming off the bench like Kobe

98 drexler is already considered a starter but I doubt he’s starting over Jones like Kobe didn’t.

99 I still don’t know if drexler is better than Kobe and while he prolly gets chosen over Jones idt he’s making the lakers much better if at all and the lakers still probably lose to the spurs

00 drexler really comes into his own but still don’t think he’s better than Kobe. The lakers came really close to losing to portland in 00 so I think it’s a bigger possibility now with drexler. We could potentially see a Pacers title. If the lakers do make the finals I imagine they win since Drexler isn’t hurt. Idk if drexler is able to replicate Kobe’s performances especially on the defensive end with 00 being Kobe’s peak defensive year. 00 I’ll say they lose in 7 to the trailblazers

01 I think is where Kobe really starts to separate him self from Clyde although funnily enough this is the year where Clyde’s peak starts. I think the spurs series becomes a lot closer in 01 with Clyde in place of Kobe and can go either way. If the lakers win that series which is very possible i take them to win a ring still over Philly

02 Clyde is still alot worse than Kobe and the lakers aren’t as good as they were in 01. I think the Lakers very likely lose to the kings in the WCF but without Kobe the spurs have a better chance against them as well

After 02 I just don’t see Clyde making the lakers super serious contenders. Idek if the lakers are a PO team from 05-07. The lakers do get 92 Clyde in 05 but is he better than 05 Kobe? If so I can’t imagine the gap being very bit at all and I doubt the lakers make the PO. After 05 Clyde starts declining and by 09 I wouldn’t consider him in his prime anymore so I don’t see the lakers really being contenders especially with how deep and competitive the west is at this time.

[McBubbles]

He wins Kobe's least significant title in 2000, and I reckon that's it.

[FuShengTHEGreat]

01 I think is where Kobe really starts to separate him self from Clyde although funnily enough this is the year where Clyde’s peak starts. I think the spurs series becomes a lot closer in 01 with Clyde in place of Kobe and can go either way. If the lakers win that series which is very possible i take them to win a ring still over Philly

02 Clyde is still alot worse than Kobe and the lakers aren’t as good as they were in 01. I think the Lakers very likely lose to the kings in the WCF but without Kobe the spurs have a better chance against them as well .

87-88 Clyde (which coincides with 00-01 Kobe) had an absolutely terrible playoff series in the opening round that season vs Utah Of course the San Antonio team the Lakers swept had absolutely terrible perimeter play...
.but can't see Clyde feasting on them the way Kobe did.

88-89 was the highest scoring season of Clyde's career and he actually played better in the playoffs that season vs 88. How was he a lot worse that season than 01-02 Kobe?