Are the Lakers better now that Kobe is not averaging more than 20 shots a game?
963531
The Lakers are definitely a better TEAM because of his reduced avg shots per game.  I believe the TEAM is better because of his, Kwame and Chris Mihms early season injuries.  It has given TEAM members like Andrew Bynum, Vladimir Radmanovic, Ronny Turiaf, Luke Walton, Jordan Farmar, Smush Parker, Maurice Evans, and the sometimes under appreciated Lamar Odom to gain confidence in their respective games.  The true test for the Lakers is when Kobe is at 100% can the TEAM exist with Kobe??  If they can.........can you say Dark horse from the west???
970955
am i missing something here?...was steve nash voted mvp even tho kobe was better?.....have the lakers made even the finals again since shaq left?...i believe that those that think kobe is best belong in the twilight zone
843470
It's too early to tell!!!   We'll have to see when Kobe gets back if Odom can continue producing like he has in these past 2 games. The Lakers will reach the playoffs though, i'll guarantee that much!!!!
611626
He might not even be the best player of those who are playing currently.\n\nSOME Past Players WAY BETTER Than Kobe:\n\nWilt Chamberlain\nLarry Bird\nMichael Jordan\nKareem Abdul-Jabbar\nJulius Erving\nOscar Robertson\nJohn Stockton\nKarl Malone\nBob Cousy\nEarvin "Magic" Johnson\nJames Worthy\nDominique Wilkins\n\nSOME Present Players Who MIGHT Be Better Than Kobe:\n\n(percentages show chances of them being better)\nKevin Garnett (50%)\nLeBron James (45%)\nTracy McGrady (35%)\nShaquille O'Neal (50%)\nSteve Nash (40%)\nTim Duncan (40%)\nDywane Wade (35%)\nAllen Iverson (30%)\nVince Carter (30%)\nAmare Stoudemire (35%)\nJason Kidd (35%)\nPaul Pierce (25%)
417795
Only if they get a real team, and Kobe becomes willing to actually pass them the ball instead of jacking it up 30+ times a game.  You can't win a championship in the NBA with one player.  MJ had Pippen, heck Kobe had Shaq.  There needs to be more than one star if the Lakers are ever going to contend.
1098469
That depends on how they improve during the off season. If they can upgrade at PG and get an inside presence (if Kwame or Bynum improves) - then they will make some noise post season. There really isn't a dominant team right now (I thought the Pistons & Spurs were, but both fell apart in the playoffs) - it's an open field right now, so the Lakers can go far with the right pieces.
1068769
kobe far better...and a better ind. player. you can't compare them as team players because kobe has no teammates
379531
Kobe Bryant's performance this season is amazing. He is better than anyone else at this point. One he has improved this season is involving his teammates. His teammates' performance has increased, and because of that, it maked their teamwork better.
1111589
That was a dumb answer to this question.  If you want to go there mr basketballnutz than I counter with this.  You say that Kobe is better than steve because the lakers wouldn't trade for him right?  Ok, so then Lebron is better than Kobe because there is no way the Cavs would trade for him right?  Come up with better answers dude.  \n\nTo answer your question...  As far as mystique goes, Kobe and Nash are great right now, (I'm a HUGE suns fan)  But until they start going to championships (in kobes case, getting back there)  they cant be compared because Magic and Jordan were annual Title Contenders, on or the other was getting there every year.  \n\nSecondly, you cant compre Nash to Magic anyways because they are too different.  Magic was 6-9 215  Nash is 6-3 195.  Nash is a pure point guard, Magic could play any position.  So stop comparing them!
734800
Neither is outstanding from beyond the arc, but stats give the nod to T-Mac (barely)...He has hit 34.3% of his 3's for his career, and is just under 30% this year...Kobe has hit 33.5% for his career, and is a little under 27% this season
580483
Only the most ignorant of Lakers fans can believe Kobe wins it over Nash - Who's still playing? I'd say that's way more valuable. Kobe and the rest of the LA-LA-Losers will never come to grips with the fact that Shaq meant more to that team than Kobe ever will. Good luck watching Kobe score 81 in a meaningless game and then score 1 point in the second half of a game 7 for the next few years...
623300
Lakers are going to go all the way this series, but not in the Game 5. In Game 5 they are going to lose to the Suns by a wide margin. Maybe 98 to 76. In Game 6 the Lakers are going to win in overtime, thanks to Kobe.
270017
No. Kobe is better. No matter how selfsh he is, he's still the best. And who can blame him, I mean he's on the Lakers. Their 2nd best player is Lamar Odom and after that there's no one.
821285
the lakers are probably one of the most improved squads of the year. they CAN beat the jazz if they play their game, with kobe distributing the ball in addition to scoring, and lamar playing his usual point-forward position, and if needed, having #24 take over in the fourth. i didn't actually watch the bucks game so i can't tell you why they lost, but i bet it had something to do with michael redd dropping 45. damn. i bet the bucks aren't missing rayray too much. haha.
951216
Yes the Lakers are going just like they did last year and they will go past the 1st round. Thats an obvious statement.......\n\n\nTo the guy who said the last good Laker team was in Minneapolis...are u @#$%^*! Magic...Kareem, Worthy, SHOWTIME.......or did u forget......
1044013
Not after last night. Wade is the 3 best player in the game. Only Kobe and King James are better right now.
62400
It makes no difference who the other players are ... Kobe will take all the shots anyway