Tmac: 'Replace me with Kobe and I'm with Shaq, I don't win a championship?'

Greatness is also about proving it in the biggest stage. If you don't get the opportunity because your teammates were trash, or unfortunate injuries, or your country doesn't allow you to play in the NBA due to cold war, then sucks for you.

There was a few years stretch before Tmacs body began to fall apart that there was a legit debate about who was better with Kobe. With that Shaq Tmac could win. I dont think thats a silly statement at all. Tmac was a baaad dude.

Unfortunately for T-Mac he was never in that situation to prove himself. Does he step it up in crunch time in the POs before his prime in 2000 to save the Lakers like Kobe did? We'll never know. He had the talent for sure. Kobe didn't just put up the numbers he did but was also clutch when the Lakers needed it, and I'm not talking last-second shots but just coming through in 4th quarters consistently. I do think he'd have won it in 2001 in Kobe's place as well he was that good.

[QUOTE=sdot_thadon;15017517]There was a few years stretch before Tmacs body began to fall apart that there was a legit debate about who was better with Kobe. With that Shaq Tmac could win. I dont think thats a silly statement at all. Tmac was a baaad dude.[/QUOTE]
We know Tmac was impressive for 3 years.

But what if Kobe, Kawhi or KD for example played 23 healthy years with superteams like Lebron? 3 + 1 bubble ring?

[QUOTE=Nigel;15017545][IMG]https://i.makeagif.com/media/4-24-2016/vzsDiL.gif[/IMG][/QUOTE]
:roll:

[QUOTE=ImKobe;15017535]Unfortunately for T-Mac he was never in that situation to prove himself. Does he step it up in crunch time in the POs before his prime in 2000 to save the Lakers like Kobe did? We'll never know. He had the talent for sure. Kobe didn't just put up the numbers he did but was also clutch when the Lakers needed it, and I'm not talking last-second shots but just coming through in 4th quarters consistently. I do think he'd have won it in 2001 in Kobe's place as well he was that good.[/QUOTE]

Exactly how did Kobe save the Lakers in 2000?

[QUOTE=ImKobe;15017535]Unfortunately for T-Mac he was never in that situation to prove himself. Does he step it up in crunch time in the POs before his prime in 2000 to save the Lakers like Kobe did? We'll never know. He had the talent for sure. Kobe didn't just put up the numbers he did but was also clutch when the Lakers needed it, and I'm not talking last-second shots but just coming through in 4th quarters consistently. I do think he'd have won it in 2001 in Kobe's place as well he was that good.[/QUOTE]

You shouldn't even entertain this crap, they only seem to be doing it with Kobe. You don't hear KG complaining about not being in Duncan's position or some shit like that.

[QUOTE=RRR3;15017546]:roll:[/QUOTE]

I know why you're mad and i love it.

[QUOTE=RRR3;15017546]:roll:[/QUOTE]

I know why you're mad and i love it.

[QUOTE=Hey Yo;15017547]Exactly how did Kobe save the Lakers in 2000?[/QUOTE]

He was their best player in Game 7 against Portland, a game where they needed to come back from 15 down in the 4th which was a lot for that era. Hit the go-ahead FTs and then crossed Pippen to put them up by 4, crossed him again which set up the lob to Shaq that's been replayed a million times by now. Shaq also fouled out on the road in the Finals and Kobe closed it out playing on one leg which put the Lakers up 3 - 1 instead of having it tied 2 - 2 and giving Indy a chance to go up 3 - 2 at home (they won Game 5).

That's what I'm questioning. T-Mac was never put in those positions. He was a great player but does he come through in do or die situations? Would he have been ready to do what Kobe did in 2000, or the years that followed it? It's one thing to put up numbers on a team that has no expectations and where the offense is built around one player, but Kobe delivered under pressure more often than not.

[QUOTE=ImKobe;15017566]He was their best player in Game 7 against Portland, a game where they needed to come back from 15 down in the 4th which was a lot for that era. Hit the go-ahead FTs and then crossed Pippen to put them up by 4, crossed him again which set up the lob to Shaq that's been replayed a million times by now. Shaq also fouled out on the road in the Finals and Kobe closed it out playing on one leg which put the Lakers up 3 - 1 instead of having it tied 2 - 2 and giving Indy a chance to go up 3 - 2 at home (they won Game 5).

That's what I'm questioning. T-Mac was never put in those positions. He was a great player but does he come through in do or die situations? Would he have been ready to do what Kobe did in 2000, or the years that followed it? It's one thing to put up numbers on a team that has no expectations and where the offense is built around one player, but Kobe delivered under pressure more often than not.[/QUOTE]
T-Mac was a year younger than Kobe. At the same age as Kobe in 2000, T-Mac was putting up ~27/8/5, they wouldn't have needed a game 7 with 21 year old T-Mac.

[QUOTE=RRR3;15017571]T-Mac was a year younger than Kobe. At the same age as Kobe in 2000, T-Mac was putting up ~27/8/5, they wouldn't have needed a game 7 with 21 year old T-Mac.[/QUOTE]
McGrady didn't have the killer instinct/mamba mentality that Kobe had.

[QUOTE=RRR3;15017571]T-Mac was a year younger than Kobe. At the same age as Kobe in 2000, T-Mac was putting up ~27/8/5, they wouldn't have needed a game 7 with 21 year old T-Mac.[/QUOTE]

I do think he wins one with Shaq btw, just saying we don't know how these guys fit together or if they can perform in pressure moments in the POs. If he started his career with Shaq like Wade did and then got Bron I'm sure he could've replicated Wade's career. T-Mac is one of the bigger what-ifs in NBA history, but we judge players on their accomplishments.

All-Defense Teams

Kobe: 12 (9 first, 3 second)
T-Mac: 0

These players aren't in the same category overall when factoring both sides of the ball. McGrady was offensively gifted just as Kobe was if not more, but Kobe became more skillful midway to the later parts of his career...especially with his post footwork. And let's not even talk about defense. Maybe T-Mac wins a ring with Shaq, but he's not three-peating.

[QUOTE=SouBeachTalents;15017572]McGrady didn't have the killer instinct/mamba mentality that Kobe had.[/QUOTE]
Hand down. MAN DOWN.