This was a great interview...love the way he just asks him straight up all the questions you'd ask Kobe yourself.

Kobe really does seem like a wise fellow these days and he does come across as being genuine.I too dont think he'd go overseas...It seems sensible to look at each situation as it arises but I felt right from the start that when it comes down to it he'll want to compete at the top level for as long as he can.

I wouldnt be surprised to see him go to europe once his skills start declining a bit though.

It's funny how the media works. I think back to the '04 -'05 season and Kobe was being crucified...I mean just obliterated...and now alot of these same people are writing that he's a pretty good guy and in many cases rewriting history to some extent and suddenly acknowledge that there might have been anothter angle on things back in the day too... when not much in reality has actually changed apart from Shaq's image taking a hit...but as anyone paying close attention at the time knows - Shaq was always a knob but nobody wanted to say so.

I felt enormously sorry for Kobe at the time.Nobody should have to put up with what he went through.You wonder how going through something like that Colorado thing effects someone - you'd have to be angry when you think about it...and the unfair media for all that time afterwards...it'd be enough to drive you mad but Kobe seems to have turned out okay and seems geuninely capable of forgiveness.He doesnt strike me as an unkind person when in some ways he'd have every right to be pretty cynical at this point.

Despite my last post, I have to admit. I think Kobe's great.

GO LAKERS!

regarding shaq's youtube "rap", he's 100% correct. kobe couldn't do without shaq.

Repost

JSNV, (Inclusive to all Butler respondents)

What's up compadre?

"I hope this is all an act to rev up us Laker Fans"
Yes.

"You're either talented or demented!!"
Both.

I truly believe it's all fun for Butler, in an attempt to keep things interesting here. Talented enough to get the crowd to rumble, and demented in taking the painful attention.

Jon K's rules are Identify, Wound and Starve. (A nod to you Jon K) I personally subscribe to Identify, Wound and Assess. If a worthy observation in my eyes occurs; then I conversate. In his-her case, he's just trying to change the cadence to the blog.

Besides, as painful as it is to admit IF Butler was a true Suns fan; other Phoenix loyalist would question his frequency on this blog and would taint him-her with Laker lineage.

Peace

Jon K,

"So the greatest joy is playing for your country and then he admits he might go to Europe to play?"

I don't think Kobe considers playing for the Lakers and playing for your country the same thing (neither do I, because it's not), so he's not contradicting himself. The issue really has nothing to do with patriotism. It's about dollars vs. playing at the highest level.

AK

AK,

"The issue really has nothing to do with patriotism."

It does. At least a little.

GO LAKERS!

I too think Rome is a tool.

KL,

Shaq sucks --

HmrHed,

"Shaq sucks"?

LOL.

actually quite a funny response back. i really don't understand this blog's collective hate for shaq and collective reverance for kobe. shaq's the reason the lakers got back to its championship ways, not kobe.

this is my 3rd year on this blog and it's the same old shizzle.

at least one can expressed an honest opinion now without fear of namecalling (or perhaps the k-buddies are spamming like crazy).

AK,

"What could playing with the Lakers possibly have to do with patriotism?"

Not necessarily for the Lakers, but for the NBA.

Listen, Kobe is best player in the world and playing for Europe would diminish the prominence of American basketball. Kobe talked about how playing in the Olympics for America was such a big deal because there is no greater honor than playing for one's company.

Playing in Europe would in no way be the same scope and scale of a lack of patriotism as say... Chris Kaman playing in the Olympics for Germany, but it would be SLIGHTLY unpatriotic. Slightly. If only because of Kobe Bryant's unique stature as a player.

If Elton Brand (another great player) went to play in Europe, it really wouldn't be that big a deal. If Kobe Bryant did so, it would be a huge deal. So, out of respect for American basketball, its heritage, and the unique position of dominance of the NBA, I would hope that patriotism would play a role in determining his decision.

People like to say that everything in life is about dollars and cents. I'd like to think that other things are also important in influencing the "correctness" of one's decision making.

GO LAKERS!

#4,

"Kobe vs. Shaq over and over again. Really?"

first of all, what else is there to talk about?

second, k-buddies brought it up.

haha. roll with the punches my friend. bob and weave. do the rope-a-dope, then mash potatoes at the hop.

jon k,

"Listen, Kobe is best player in the world and playing for Europe would diminish the prominence of American basketball."

fools gold my friend. being a champion is more important than being the "best in the world".

also, please don't discount the financial aspect of what these guys do. lebron has it 100% correct by admitting he wants to be the first "$1 billion athelete".

"show me da $$" like in Jerry McGuire.

Jon K

I'm not sure any of us derive our pride in country from the success or failure of any particular private organization like, say, the NBA.

Soccer has a longer history with this and is pretty instructive. I believe the consensus is Club team for bucks and exposure, National team for pride and place in history.

All that said, GO LAKERS!

Kobe love =/= Shaq hate

Shaq was a great Laker. Kobe IS a great Laker.

The D,

"I'm not sure any of us derive our pride in country from the success or failure of any particular private organization like, say, the NBA."

All I'm saying is that if I was the greatest player in the world of a sport and had obtained my celebrity status and initial wealth in the United States and I was offered some outrageous amount of money to go play in Dubai or something like that in lower quality league, I (MYSELF) would take into consideration my love for country, my feeling of gratitude to my country to the success I had received and my love for the game and level of competition I experienced in the United States in my decision making process.

That's all.

Like I said, there's more important things in life than money and I think the people who are the best at anything recognize that.

GO LAKERS!

Thanks for the response KL. Kobe vs. Shaq, especially your opinion (hehe), is tiresome. No offense intended.

But I wouldn't blame the K-bros. When the league has nothing else going on, this is the default story. ESPN and Romey brought it up, K-bros are the messengers.

I guess I'll concede, what else is there to talk about?

KL,

Though I detest LeBron James, I think he would be among the handful of players whom if they left the NBA, they would lower the overall level of play of the entire league and lower the general stature of the league as an American institution.

As it has been said, "With great power comes great responsibility."

When you have a lot influence in life, things become less simple and more things should be kept in consideration.

That's my viewpoint with things.

GO LAKERS!

Kiwi,

I think you are one of the most even-keeled bloggers here. And you make your argument really sound on Kobe's change as a person.

However, I still tend to think he hasn't really changed that much from the arrogant brat he used to be from 2000-2004. He has just got much smarter and handles media so much better. By contrast, why Shaq often comes off as such a fool to many bloggers is the fact that he does not have a refined style comparable to that of Bryant. So Shaq says and sings what he thinks without considering the consequences, and that infuriates many people (and especially Kobe supporters). Because deep down inside himself Kobe would probably love to rap on Shaq. But he restrains himself from doing it. And that is a smart thing to do and what most of us can recognise ourselves in (we are not badmouthing our collegues or our bosses even though we would like to)

And formal education (Shaq has master's degree) has not really helped so much because Kobe hasn't even got an university diploma. It all comes down to Kobe's upbringing in a secure and financially sound environment. Conversely, Shaq and most nba players were brought up in a poor and often broken families. That is why basketball is more tool to them to feed their families. That is also one of the reasons why Kobe is not universally liked in NBA because he is different from most of the players. Moreover, I tend to think that this is the reason also why people in this blog tend to love Kobe so much and hate Shaq. Because they can put themselves in Kobe's shoes (being a good diplomate and trying to put on a good face even if inside there is a turmoil)

All this is to say that I don't think that as a person Kobe is better or worse than another NBA player (i.e. Shaq). The difference is that he had such a favourable childhood condition compared to most other players that made him what he is. Therefore, it is kind of useless to talk about personality because everybody in some way is flawed. Only comparison should be basketball wise. And even that is very subjective lol :)

Vaasa

AK/BK,

The precedent has been set by FCBarcelona0WNS. We're allowed to curse on the blog in Spanish. Nice.

Kiwi,

Bravo, Dan. I loved both of your posts about Kobe and share your opinions about his honesty and maturity. I got a strong sense that Kobe would view leaving the Lakers to play in Europe or Russia as something that will never happen. While it’s insane and inane to compare one’s love for country with their love for pro sports team, my hunch is that Kobe would never want to play in a second best league, even in the waning years of his career. His personal pride and loyalty would not allow it in my opinion. To him, playing in the NBA versus playing overseas would rank just the same as playing for country versus playing for an NBA team.

I also completely agreed with your assessment of Kobe as a forgiving person, which is not to say that he still doesn’t internalize slights by opponents for motivation on occasion or that he is not dying for another shot at Paul Pierce and the Celtics, but he isn’t really at heart a vindictive person who holds grudges and bears ill wishes on anybody, including Shaq. Hi is just wiser. He’s grown up and realizes that life and opportunities are too precious to waste time doing that. I’ve always believed Kobe was a ‘good” person as opposed to being a “mean” person. It is gratifying to see the general sports world finally coming around to that view.

Kobe’s experience and maturity are also reflected in his play on the court, where he no longer gets caught up in the super star competition with Agent Zero or even Ray Allen or worries about how many points he scores. Fortunately for Kobe, the Lakers have also now surrounded him with the kind and depth of talent to enable Kobe to follow the team-oriented inclinations that his experience and maturity have given him, which is to lead his team by example, trusting them to care as much, work as hard, and play as passionately as he does.

That is why I am hoping the Lakers will opt to play an aggressive ball-hawking and trapping defense on the perimeter, with Kobe leading the way to a new era in Lakers defense much as he did for Team USA in the Olympics. With Andrew and Pau and the Triangle Offense, this team can afford to deploy Kobe as its shut down perimeter defender. The Lakers are talented and deep enough to do this. And they have the perfect free safety protecting the rim in Andrew Bynum to allow the aggressive pressing defense on the perimeter.

Go, Lakers. The Era of the Beast begins.

Tom

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON?

The interesting wrinkle when considering whether Kobe would ever agree to play anywhere but the NBA are his girls. The first thought is that nobody wants to pull their kids out of school and move them to a foreign country, then you realize that that’s exactly what Jelly Bean Bryant did. And Kobe has mentioned many times how much he valued his experience of living in Europe. My hunch is that Kobe would never move to Russia but I could envision a situation where Kobe might consider playing in Italy and giving his little girls that same wonderful experience he had.

In the real world, however, where Andrew Bynum becomes (he already really is) the Next Great Lakers center, I seriously doubt Kobe would forego the opportunity to win NBA championships that would seal his legacy by opting to play in Europe. Anyway, if he ever did opt to play, my bet would be on Italy and the memories Kobe had of growing up. It could be the opportunity to share something very unique with his wife and daughters. Just interesting to consider.

Tom

Hey Vaasa - Thanks for the compliment.

I see what you are saying but while Kobe has had a different background he's also held to different standards.

Secondly Shaq has certainly used the media to his advantage and carefully cultivated an image.A bit of wisecracking and cheek was part of it and for the most part sheer stupidity wasn't.I always respected his game but I always found him fake...

Its like you are suggesting that I'm being carried away with the way these players present themselves when I dont think I am.I'm very aware of it but to me what Kobe says adds up and is consistent with his decisions and actions so I find him trustworthy...he says the olympics is important to him and he's actually shown this too...same with forgiving Phil Jackson.

I dont really think its all just a big front and indeed in the interviews Ive seen with him recently he could certainly work the media to his advantage more than he does.Sure he'd love to slate Shaq but thats just not what you do...not so much for the media's sake but just becasue for the most part its not how responsible adults behave...Kobe seems to have a genuine understanding of that.

I guess what I was trying to point out is that Kobe is in a no win situation because people simultaneously laud and chastise the same qualities and he's damned whether he does or doesnt.

Thats why I honestly think he is being himself these days more or less and not worrying too much about it.Clearly he's had to forgive jackson,he probably doesn't care enough about Shaq to get angry about it.I'm sure Kobe can be unbearable as well...Im not idealising him nor do I particularly care or have any vested interest either way as to his personality but I'm jsut calling it as I see it.

I appreciate him as a basketball player and find the way he sticks at things quite inspiring but when I discuss this stuff I'm really more interested in more general topics rather than Kobe's personality perse.One of these topics being the unforgiveable assault on certain celebrities by the media and public.But in response to what I think was the main gist of your post - no I dont just get sucked in by the way players present themselves and what I relate to or at least I think I dont.I tend to look beyond that....and I think bloggers mainly side with Kobe becasue he's still on the lakers no more,no less.For me I have found Shaq phony and superficial but it's nothing to do with 'class' as such.Maybe Kobe has had better opportunities but it doesn't stop me from respecting and being able to relate to players and people in life generally who havent had these opportunities if I see something worth admiring.

On the SHACK and kobey thing....let's see how this strikes you:

kobey's legacy, as it stands today, is secure. he will be remembered as a fine player with great skills and 3 rings, a gold medal and several seasons trying to get past Steve Nash and the SUNS, and Ray Allen and the Celts.

SHACK...he's already the #1 center of all time (according to that tool holinger's PER ratings) and is the MDE.

Now, if SHACK wins at least 1 more ring, and kobey does not, then doesn't that make SHACK by far the more dominant playa of the two?

I really can't wait for this season to start: http://tinyurl.com/3u3jpy .

"my feeling of gratitude to my country to the success I had received and my love for the game and level of competition I experienced in the United States in my decision making process."

I agree that the level of competition is better here, and for someone trying (apparently) for possible consideration as the best of all time, staying in the NBA as long as possible would seem to be the best choice.

I don't think leaving the NBA, though, relates at all to love of the country. I don't think that Steve Nash or Dirk Nowitzki playing in the U.S. means that they are showing less love for their native country than if they had stayed in Canada and Germany and played there.

As far as "love of the game," if you are really talking about the game itself, and not the level of competition, then the best thing you could do would be to help spread the game's popularity. Kobe or LeBron staying in the NBA is not going to increase the world-wide popularity of the game nearly as much as if they went to play in an overseas league.

Monetarily, these guys know that they only have until they are 35 or so to earn the big bucks. If they want to continue to live at the level they are living at now, then the extra money they could make in Europe (and taking endorsements into consideration that would be a significant amount) might be a very large factor. That would depend on how wisely they have used their money up to this point.

I really can't wait for this season to start: http://tinyurl.com/3u3jpy .

Posted by: laker hopeful | September 18, 2008 at 09:01 PM

===========================
Now that is a great post! I would also like to point out that the numbers were compared to starters and all stars and AB was basically a backup center. Very impressive indeed.

Dave M sez:

"To be honest, I don't really get the continued blame game, or the comparison of the two (not aiming this at you Vaasa, just in general terms). I don't really get the Shaq hatred any more than I get or care about Kobe haters. To me, they're just guys who played at the top of their game for a long time. Kobe's still there obviously. As far as any comparisons with the Suns, Kerr is betting it all on a very simple premise - that he can get enough out those guys for one solid run in the playoffs. I personally don't think it's gonna work but it's probably better than going down the road of diminishing returns with D'Antoni's run and gun system."

BUTLER replies:

Very well put!

Shack and kobey - such a feminine drama when you get right down to it, and men everywhere just lap it up. These kobe and shack lovers....bet they enjoy Days of Our Lives too.

The SUNS needed a Shack-size center to compete, but not a shamu-size center. I'll hold off judgement till he shows up at training camp. Back to your point - the SUNS as they were built, were too small anymore to beat the WC contenders with Amare out of position at C.

The SUNS had a good thing with K Thomas, but he's 6'9" and with Chandler at 7', bynum at 7', Camby, Oden, Jefferson, Duncan, Okur...it wasn't getting easier to be smaller and faster. The SUNS needed a big man to beef up the paint.

And it worked great til he needed to shoot FTs!

I think D'ANTONI'S departure was premature - he only had a few weeks to make Shack work. His system still hadn't gone through a single season without some major personnel change. He was right there! He'll make some noise in NY

should either Shack or kobey win another title, then it would only seem proper, it would only seem to be most fitting and perhaps even destined that they would have to meet each other in the Western Conference Finals.

Coming in 2009.

Jon K

Kobe playing in the NBA vs. playing in Europe really has nothing to do with his patriotism even if he is an icon here. He's an even bigger icon in China but he definitely doesn't live or work there. If someone like you or me accepts a business opportunity in another country, does that make us unpatriotic? If he did play in a European league, he'd still probably play in the Olympics on the US squad as long as he was invited. The NBA is a business and Kobe is an employee. His choice wouldn't be struggle of patriotism. It would be if he wanted to continue playing in a league with top tier players to try and cement his legacy, or follow the bigger paycheck to Europe. It's like a band choosing to sign on a major label. Do you stay with the independent label that lets you have full creative control of your work? Or do you sign with the major label to get a bigger paycheck, but have to compromise your music by making it appeal to a broader audience.

Jon K,

you wrote: All I'm saying is that if I was the greatest player in the world of a sport and had obtained my celebrity status and initial wealth in the United States and I was offered some outrageous amount of money to go play in Dubai or something like that in lower quality league, I (MYSELF) would take into consideration my love for country, my feeling of gratitude to my country to the success I had received and my love for the game and level of competition I experienced in the United States in my decision making process.

my response: The Brazilian people do not consider
the brazilian soccer players to be un-patriotic when
they go play on european teams. Isn't David Beckham
English? Is he unpatriotic too? Is Yao Ming unpatriotic?
He could be playing basketball in China. Sasha. Turiaf.
Tony Parker. Pau Gasol. Manu Ginobli.

If you are going to call Kobe unpatriotic because he
chooses to *work* in another country then you must
consider everyone who works over seas for a non-us
company as unpatriotic.

Do you really want to make that statement?

Forget about this Shaq vs Kobe stuff. Let's take a page from KB book and move on. The key to a championship this year is DEFENSE and INJURIES. I think LO will have a break out season. One, with "The Beast" back and Gasol at power, LO will play against much smaller and much weaker match ups than he have faced before. He has held his own against stronger competition, so he should find it alot easier with "The Beast" on the floor. LO has always been more Rodman than Pippen anyway. Two, Ariza will make a major impact this year. Everytime I see him, I think Michael Cooper. Remember, when Coop came into the league he couldn't shoot or handle the ball either. Like Ariza, he could run the floor and defend like a Mo Fo. I can hardly wait to see Kobe, D-Fish, LO, Ariza, and "The Beast" on the floor at the same time. I think this unit could be the Lakers best defensive unit and you probally will see alot of it in the fourth quarter of a close game. What cha think Lakerdom?

GO LAKERS!

KL,

>>>i'm one of the few bloggers who appreciate shaq on
>>>and off the court and give shaq his proper dues.

I appreciate Shaq on the court. In his prime he was the
most physically dominating player in the league. They had
to make new rules and revise the way they call some rules
just because of Shaq.

And if you are being at all honest with yourself, you have
to admit his skill is waning. If Shaq last year played like
the Shaq from 2001, the Suns would have been cutting
down the nets in June.

But off the court, Shaq has been as much of a dope as Kobe
has. Each of them has had public tirades about their coach,
their owner, and their teammates. And with Shaq, you can add
in ex-teammates (and not just Kobe - Shaq's an equal opportunity
disser). And each of them has had very public issues of abuse
of women other than their wife.

The one subtle difference I will point out is that Shaq repeatedly
proclaims himself the greatest ever (or more properly, the MDE),
while Kobe never says that sort of stuff about himself. Watch
the interview. Kobe never says "I want to be thought of as the
greatest ever" or "I want to be thought of as greater than Jordan".
Kobe says that he wants to be remembered as someone who
loved playing the game, who trained and played hard, and who
won. So in terms of vanity or arrogance, Shaq is much
much more vain and arrogant than Kobe (though Kobe's
no slouch in those areas).

KL,

>>>this blog is full of kobe disciples who worship the
>>>ground kobe walks on.

And some fans who appreciate Kobe for being the current
best player in the league and hope he's up to winning a
few more championships for the Lakers.

>>>kobe bryant in my opinion hasn't really accomplished
>>>all that much without shaq.

And nobody denies that. And if that were your only point,
then you probably wouldn't catch much flak here even from
the Kobe lovers. The problem is that your rhetoric tries to
equate Kobe's role in thsoe championships with guys like
Mike Pemberthy and Jelani McCoy, rather than give him
the credit he deserves. If the starting SG from 1999 to
2002 had been Eddie Jones, then the Lakers would
not have won those 3 championships.

Yes, Kobe was Robin to Shaq's Batman, but as Shaq
proved on his previous team, he was unable to carry a
team to a championship on his own. Kobe didn't learn
that lesson until after Shaq left, but now Kobe's team is
up to a level where he may get a chance to win a
championship as Batman.

>>>kobe is not better than a barkley, malone, dirk or
>>>nash who won mvp awards, but no championships
>>>as the lead guy.

I would kinda agree with that, but I'm sure Kobe would
be honored that you mentioned his name as an equal
to players like Barkley and Malone.

>>>lots of kobe lovers will give credit to kobe as the sole
>>>reason for the laker championships without giving
>>>thought that SHAQ O'NEAL MADE THE GAME
>>>EASIER FOR EVERYBODY

I don't know about that. How bout it bloggers? Is there a
single person here who believes that the Lakers would
have won the titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002 without
Shaq?

Anyone?

Let me ask you this, KL. If the Lakers win a championship
in 2009 and Kobe is the MVP of the finals, will you then
give Kobe the respect he deserves? Or will you then
change your criteria for what deserves respect? Will you
suddenly say that Kobe was riding on Gasol's back this
time? Or will you finally give him the respect he deserves.

Note that there are players I absolutely hate - Danny Ainge
is the worst --- but that I respected as a player for what they
contributed to their team.

KL,

>>>fools gold my friend. being a champion is more important
>>> than being the "best in the world".

You are soooooo right. I'm sure Jelani McCoy wouldn't trade
riding the pine for the Lakers in 2002 for being the best
respected player in the league and all the money and adulation
that comes with it.

BUTLER,

>>>Now, if SHACK wins at least 1 more ring, and kobey
>>>does not, then doesn't that make SHACK by far the more
>>>dominant playa of the two?

If that is the way the future plays out, then I will definitely
agree with you that Shaq will have the greater legacy than
Kobe.

But to counter, if Kobe wins 2 or 3 more rings with the Lakers,
will YOU agree that Kobe is "by far the more dominant
playa of the two?"

"It is not to irritate Kobe supporters; It is just to do a reality check and to balance the beating down what Shaq gets in this blog (I know that nobody loves goliath, but enough is enough). Moreover, most analysts (Thorpe, Hollinger Alridge, etc) put Shaq right among THE VERY BEST PLAYERS ALL TIME (not only centers) in terms of dominance. I reallly hope that all this hype for AB will be justified and the same could be said about him one day. Otherwise all this arrogance shown by him (his disrespect of Shaq withstanding) and his supporters, before having any real results, would become a pure joke for years to come."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shaq is placed on that Dominance mantle because of his perceived game play.
People forgot about that dudes size and strength. Shaw wasn't a good player because of his talent or athleticism.
He was good because he is tall and fat.

Mark My words
We have our NEW Shaq and his name is Bynum
get ready for a season of domination under the basket by a focused, leaner, stronger, meaner, motivated Andrew Bynum.
And he's only 20 not over the hill and over weight

BUTLER, KL

Without a doubt, Shaq was the most dominant player in the last 40 years of the NBA.

However, unfortunately that doesn't make you the best player. It means you are stronger then everyone else. It means you have more junk in the trunk then everyone else and he was athletic to boot.

That however doesn't make him the best player. Being bigger, faster, and stronger then everyone else to where you can just camp out in the lane and no one can touch you is not my idea of the best player.

zen sez:

"Without a doubt, Shaq was the most dominant player in the last 40 years of the NBA.

However, unfortunately that doesn't make you the best player. It means you are stronger then everyone else. It means you have more junk in the trunk then everyone else and he was athletic to boot.

That however doesn't make him the best player. Being bigger, faster, and stronger then everyone else to where you can just camp out in the lane and no one can touch you is not my idea of the best player."

True. But Shack has brought each team he's played on to the Finals (waiting to see with SUNS), though, so you have to weigh skills against dominance and impact I suppose. kobey is muchmoe skilled (especially at the FT line!), butwho would you rather have on your team if you take both in their prime? Most would likely say Shack just because of the size and smarts despite the lack of overall skills compared to a slasher SF.

Come on, stop with the most dominate player stuff. Does anyone remember MJ? I believe that he played in the last 40 years. Shaq was a great player, period. Few if any of you on here ever saw Wilt or a young Kareem play, so please say "The best I have ever seen". Dominace to me is averageing 50 points and 20 boards a game (That's AVERAGE). How about 100 points in a game (he missed about 20 free throws). I know there wasn't many 7footers around but there was plenty of 6"10 and 6"11 guys around and I believe a guy named Bill Russell was around. I know the Celtics won almost everytime they played but they never stopped Wilt. I wonder how Shaq would do being tripled teamed everytime he touched the ball or if Wilt would have had someone like Magic to help him. No question he would have dominated in any era he played in and he would have dominated Shaq also. At 6"10, Tim Duncan has more than held his own against Shaq, At 7"1" tall, Wilt was bigger, stronger, more athletic , and a whole lot meaner than Duncan. So please, if you want to say "Most dominate that I have ever saw", that's OK. But don't disrespect Wilt's legacy by saying the most dominate of all times because that's not even close.

GO LAKERS