kblo247 wrote:NBAWestFan wrote:All the comparisions are very hard because of the style of play
was different. The competition was different.
For the young ones who did not see Showtime
They were like the Spurs with Great passing but more fast breaks.
This was a team that could play full court and half court with Kareem
working the half court and Worthy and Magic the transition game.
This team did do very well in the playoffs going very far some years without
losing a game till the finals. Sometimes destroying teams also by 20 to 30 points
without 3 point shooting. (3 Hall famers at least). Good Coach
but one of the best floor generals every in Magic.
Kareem one of the greatest ever.
Kobe's and Shaq were a half court team. (2 Hall famers)
Both teams had good benches. 2001 was a very good team
but the competition was not the Celtics or Pistons.
Great Coach.
These teams would go back and forth trading wins but because
of Shaq's poor free throw shooting and Kareems excellent Free Throw
shooting I would give a slight edge to the Showtime.
Defense was stronger on Kobe and Shaq's teams but
Who is going to stop Worthy? I don't think Kobe and Shaq have an answer
for Worthy.
How about Kobe, Gasol, Odom, Bynum beat the Celtics
Garnett, Pierce, Allen & Rondo? This was a good team too.
Worthy is important but I got to point out the obvious ... Phil **** on Pat X's and O's historically when they matched up. I have a hard time thinking he couldn't think of a way to make worthy who couldn't shoot a jump shooter with Horry or Fox.
The lakers have the better duo in Kobe and Shaq production wise, the best shooter on the court if you're counting 01 in fisher (he averaged 21ppg in the closeouts btw), and they have the best post defender on either roster in Grant.
I think magic would get his as would Kareem, but I think the impact of coop and Scott isn't great. 17 year old Kobe is well known for kicking coopers ass and Scott to me is someone they could at least bother if you remember how fox shadowed Peja.
I will admit Showtime is great but we have seen Phil out coach Riley, Phil take magic out a series, and shaq/Kobe put up the greatest 1/2 numbers in history. That 01 team could play with anyone in the world and come out victorious because they were balanced
The key word is balance KBlo. The Showtime were more balanced.
Cooper had a good outside shot. Byron was perhaps a better offense
Threat than Fisher and could play defense so they would be a toss up.
But a young Cooper with long Arms would give Kobe problems.
17 year Kobe against a 40 year old Cooper you are comparing an old
Man chasing a young kid.
You also have McDoo 6’ 10, Rambis and Kareem to stop the Middle.
Magic and Kareem were 90% free throw shooters and Kareem lived at
The line like Jordan. He had great footwork and would foul out Shaq
Or keep him on the bench. Old man Grant and Horry were no match
For Worthy you can’t even compare them. Worthy would leave them in
The dust. The great passing of showtime and transition game would wear
Down Shaq, Grant and Horry. The one guy that would be a hard call would
Be Ron Harper was good player in 01 and would have had to had a 6’ 9”
Magic on him. I just don’t see 01 Lakers who barely beat the Kings beating
The Showtime consistently. The Showtime and 01 Lakers had such different styles
What I can say is the 01 Lakers had some good playoffs that made them exciting to watch.
