MM,

Dude, it's New Years Day, take it easy, watch some football, eat some menudo.

I am worried about our guard crew (except for Kobe). Is it too early to call Blake a bust? Maybe so... Guards other than Kobe hit 4 of 19 shots. The killer B's seemed more like just regular B's. This is the kind of game they usually do well - at home against a weaker opponent.

It was great to see Kobe step up and do his Mamba thing - thrilling to see him hit those key shots late in the game and watch the looks on the opponents faces (and hear the lamenting of their woman)... ;-)

I thought Artest played really well. His shots are starting to go down. He was the best three point shooter on the team last night.

Forget Boston, Miami, and Orlando - we have to worry about San Antonio. They have only lost 4 games and they are barely even playing Duncan - saving him for the real season. Lakers play them Feb. 3rd, so we have a month to put together some momentum and hopefully beat them. If we lose to them again (at home!), their confidence will go through the roof (if it hasn’t already).

Lamar is playing great of the bench. He is a smart guy and knows it is best for the team – “Just win baby!” The crowd showed a lot of class giving him an ovation when he came in. He is on his way to the best year of his career and hopefully a spot on the All Star Team.

Pau seems to have gotten over whatever was bugging him. I think it was playing center. He is not free to be Pau when he has a big center on him. His jump hooks are falling again!

Drew is playing 30 and doing OK. Keeping my fingers crossed!

I hope we can put together a bunch of wins in January. We are already up to 10 losses and the season is only a third over. Of course, I would be happy with a 72 and 10 record… ;-)

Happy New Year!

I am a Lakerholic.

At 33 games, here are the records of Phil Jackson's three-peat teams:

1992-93 Bulls: 23-10
1997-98 Bulls: 23-10
2001-02 Lakers: 26-7

you shouldnt use fisher in the same subject with kobe it is
insulting, fisher is wash up and i dont know what game you
watch but fisher definately cant play guard or shoot,no assist.the best thing the team can do is trade or bench fisher.oh i forgot who want him.you cant even give fisher
to any team even if you include kuke with the package.therefore any one who keep saying fisher is playing so good cant really be a lakers fan who want the team to win

Lakerholic:

I have tried to point out to the blog about the poor play by our PGs and UPS for quite sometimes now. DFish is getting worst this season. We're all know that he's not a real PG and can't create his own plays or can drive and kick out to the open teammates. This year, his Js are just horrible that, IMHO, is why the opponents can double or sometimes triple Kobe and dare our other guards to shoot from the perimeter. The Lakers are not that vulnerable this year against pick-n-roll but do have trouble against the zone defense. Our guards are just not taking advantage when they're open. Blake & UPS missed several wide open shots yesterday against the zone. As you stated in your blog, only Artest and Kobe made some open shots last night.

I don't know if signing Blake was a mistake. I like him but he has yet to show his worth or demonstrate to me that he is better than Farmar.

Once AB got his bounce and timing back, our team would play better. DFish, Blake and Brown must step up to make those open Js otherwise, I think we would need another quality guard on the bench.

Happy New Year's everyone!

What do we play for? RINGS!!!

Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.

GO LAKERS!!!!

Wallace - I think we should see what the next couple of weeks bring "guard wise" I am sure Mitch is looking at this as well. Bad play by Laker guards not named Kobe seems to be a recurring theme. They were showing a lot of promise in the begining of the year. Hopefully they will get it back. When they signed Blake, I looked at his stats and I was happy that we got someone that could knock down some open three's for us. That hasn't been the case. I know I repeat this a lot, but I wish they had kept Sasha and played him more. He was knocking down shots at the end of last year - after he got over his injury. He didn't shoot great against Chicago the other night ( a very good team), but he was their number one guy off the bench, had 8 points, knocked down 2 threes, and also had 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal. Much better stats than our guards (not named Kobe... ;-). With Kobe, Pau, and Lamar on the floor, these guys are going to get open shots. They have to hit them!

KobeMVP & hobbitmage.

Regarding the discussion on Fisher and Kobe complimenting each other and who made who better. At first glance it seems ridiculous but after thinking about it I think that's an interesting question. I don't know the answer but it got me to thinking, what if Kobe played on the 80's Lakers and Scott was his back up.

1) In that case, would Kobe have accomplished all that he has?
2) Would Magic and Kobe have clashed for control of the team?
3) Would Buss have had to choose like he did with Shaq/Kobe?
4) If so, who would he have chosen?
5) Could Kobe have thrived or even been able to survive on a team with Kareem, Worthy and Magic.

My opinions:

1) No, I don't think Kobe would have accomplished as much because Magic would not have stood for giving Kobe the ball and seeing everyone stand around and watch. I'm not sure how that would have been resolved.
I don't think Kobe would have ever had an 81 point game or as many game winning shots. But then, they might have been so good there just wouldn't have been that many last second shots needed.

2) Yes, I think there would have been a clash between Magic and Kobe. It would have been ugly.

3) Would Buss have had to choose to keep one over the other, not sure.
I lean towards yes, both had such strong personalities. But if they could have worked it out and played well together, what a great team that would have been. Forget 3-peat, how about 6-8-peat.

4) If it came to the point he had to choose which one to keep, I think he would have kept Magic, but that may be my own bias talking as Magic is my favorite player.

5) Could Kobe have thrived on a team with Kareem, Magic, Worthy?
Well, I think Kareem is better than Drew or Pau both skill-wise and mentally, and Worthy was better than Pau or LO both skill-wise and mentally. I know that's debatable, just my opinion. I can only imagine Kobe calling out Kareem as soft and the result. Imagine Kobe taking 30 shots/game with Kareem, Magic, Worthy there, Magic wouldn't pass him the ball.

Bottom line I think my opinion correlates more closely to what KobeMVP said about Kobe thriving with a back court mate like Fish opposed to a star PG.
Kobe "has" to be the main man, part of his DNA.
Could Magic have been able to deal with Kobe? I'm just not sure he could have, something would have had to give.

But it would have been fun watching a team like that.

If anyone ever interviewed Magic, that would be an interesting topic, asking him what if Kobe played on his 80's Lakers and going into a little depth about it.
I suspect though that Magic would keep it PC to avoid any conflict.

The day may indeed come when those forces aligned against America may yet destroy it. I would suggest that in your New Year's reflectiveness, you reflect on that possibility, and on what the world will look like if and when that happens.

Posted by: CornerJ | January 01, 2011 at 11:57 AM

I appreciate your kind, thoughtful, and back-grounded remarks Corner.

There has never been any question in my mind
about the heart of the American people being in the right place,
but that isn't enough anymore, especially now.

Errors in judgement and mistakes will always be made,
but all too often,
America doesn't seem to be able to act even in its own best interests,
much less in anyone else’s.

As American consumers, I believe it's possible to mend many of the problems,
and change course, virtually overnight. Some simple, and decisive steps in the way we live could have positive impact in our foreign policy, and the way we treat each other at home.

Is it going to happen? I fear not...and for a lot of unforgivable reasons,
but mostly to do the American frame of mind,
and therein lies the horror when I reflect on the possibility of that which you speak. I see some of its manifestations first hand on a daily basis.

Over the years (as an American expat) I've gone about my own way of
trying to be fair and respectful with everyone, on a daily basis,
wherever I am, and as you know, I do stumble from time to time.
(Then again, some people are awfully difficult to be kind to).

My actions don't always succeed in winning hearts and minds,
but much more often than not they do.
That's when I like being American the most.

Thank you again sharing.

Repost Compost for a New Year's Day...
Something I'd probably repeat

First and foremost, I want to acknowledge Malcolm McDowell,
Werner Erhard, Ghandi, Spider-Man, Ralph Nader, Alexander Berkman,
The Beatles,
and of course, Larry the Mamba, Mike Teniente, Edwin, Arthas,
Helo-man (where the heck are you?),
and many others for their contributions,
all of whom helped to shape my own views, feelings, and comments.

And too, taking into full account that being a Laker fan, in itself,
poses several moral conflicts which would be difficult
for anyone with a conscience to reconcile,
I submit the following to the good people of La La Land:

Go USA, GO!!!
Go USA, GO!!!
Go USA, GO!!!

Firstly, as we mark time, and move into a new calendar year,
here’s best wishes to all, in hopes of a more healthy and prosperous New Year,
including you little No-mo.

It is also hoped that most of us will begin to take responsibility for how we live,
rather than pretend we have limited say in the matter.
We all share this responsibility, good and bad,
including you Jon boy!

As I see it, where there is a problem, more often than not,
we either fail to acknowledge it,
or we view others as the source of it,
when in fact, none of us, repeat, none of us should be casting stones;
not you, not me, and definitely not Justa.
We all pee in the same pool.

(Just funnin’ wid ya)

I’m not suggesting that oil, chemicals, junk-food,
junk from China, bad television, lumber and mineral harvesting, nukes, automobiles,
NBA shadiness, hair spray, crispy creams, hot water, stupidity,
porterhouse steaks, good weed
(oh, and rap, can’t leave out rap),
and many other things that we consume daily are either good or bad,
especially when consumed in moderation.
Not making a judgement on that. In fact, I love a lot of it.

I’m only saying that we have essential ultimate control
over the balance and condition of our lives, mother nature notwithstanding,
even though it often seems we would rather piss-and-moan about it,
rather than truly assume control in our own best interests.

When you consider all the ‘terrible things’
that so many of us are concerned about,
just remember one thing:

They (whoever ‘They’ is)
wouldn’t be producing and selling ‘terrible things’,
if We (That’s you and me),
weren’t buying and consuming these things, by the barrel,
across the board, every minute of our lives, from the day we are born,
and then raising our children to do the same.

Many would say that making the desired and required adjustments
are more easily said than done.

I beg to differ.

It is much more easily done than said,
besides, more than enough has been said already.
Getting over ourselves is the difficult part, it seems.

And to identify specific things that individuals can do to shift the paradigm...
well...that's a discussion for another time...if anyone is interested.

For now, the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of Americans
don’t know how good they’ve got it.
Even some of the poorest among them, by comparison,
have got it great, believe me.

Only laziness and dishonesty about what needs to happen,
and this morbid, obsessive American fascination
with their own prophetic destruction will change that...
and that too may come to pass.
The rest of the world is watching...and scratching their heads.

As for me...

I am a member of the National Basket-Ballaholic Association.
There is no better distraction. You folks are at the center of it...
Without it, life would be, well, just too damn meaningful.

Hang in there America.
You’re still the best by far.
Everyone else knows that, even if you don’t.
But you’ve got em’ wondering.

Sorry...got some simple solutions for the woes of the world,
but I'm afraid the Troupe from Hollyweird is beyond reclamation.
There is just something about old age.

Go Sacramento Kings of Basketball!

Sonnybelfast

Art

I really enjoyed your well thought out analysis at 01:58 PM. It is all speculation about how Kobe would have played with another Alpha dog floor player. Even with The Big Center of Attention, the clashing of the Two Alphas reached a point where it was no longer tolerable and management had the correct vision of the future when they traded Shaq. I have always felt that Jordan and Kobe are essentially the same player, so the selfless, talented superstar Scottie Pippen was the ultimate Beta dog, save a few understandable pouting moments.

I guess the flip side of all this is that Kobe has matured, so just like he was wiling to be a role player in Beijing, perhaps he would be accepting of a superstar sidekick like LeBron and Wade are having to learn to sacrifice their egos in Miami. However when Kobe was their ages(s), I completely agree with your analysis.

Kobe needed to be The Guy for himself and his legacy. It was a God-send that Mitch Kupchak blessed him (and us) with such a talented, selfless supporting cast. And let's not forget that the real first adhesive piece that got this whole thing going again was reuniting Kobe with Derek Fisher. At least that is my opinion.

Tom Daniels - congrats on RCOTD...excellent summation of the game.

LRob

What is Kobe supposed to say about Fisher? "This guy is washed up"?

Kobe said Luke Walton was a key component to the Laker team along with Adam Morrison.

Kobe's just a nice guy about his teammates..............he rarely calls them out by name.

pfunk,

That's an interesting take you have on the Kobe/Magic discussion and it never occurred to me to sub MJ for Kobe in that scenario.

You raise some good questions.

======

"Would Magic make concessions for Jordan's talent? Would Magic and Jordan have clashed?

If so..........what would that have said about Magic?"

======

Yes, I suppose there is a good chance they would have clashed as well. Though I recognize his talent, I was not an MJ fan and didn't follow him or the Bulls very closely like I follow the Lakers. I don't really know very much about how MJ interacted with his teammates or the dynamics of the Bulls teams when he played so it's difficult for me to address this.

What would it say about Magic? Magic was an alpha dog also so it's quite possible they would have clashed as well and that the same issues I attributed to the 80's Lakers with Kobe would have been quite similar had it been MJ instead. I don't know.

=====-

"Is it within the realm of possibility that Kobe is the better all-around player than Magic?

Was Magic a better shot maker than Kobe in the clutch? If not..........shouldn't Magic give Kobe the ball?"

=====

Yes, Kobe may be a better all around player than Magic in some peoples eyes though I doubt Kobe could have pulled off playing all 5 positions in the clinching game of the Finals, or any other game for that matter. They just had different strengths.

I guess I wouldn't say Kobe was a better all around player but he was/is a better scorer. I know stats don't tell the whole story but maybe someday I'll get motivated enough to try and compare playoff/finals stats of Kobe and Magic.

Nah, I probably won't get that motivated but it would be interesting since they each have a lot of playoff/finals games to actually get something meaningful from it. And since you brought it up I suppose putting MJ's stats in there to compare the three of them would interesting.

Should Magic give Kobe the ball in a clutch situation?

Absolutely if the match ups call for it. No if Kobe is having to go 3 on 1. Magic was pretty good at finding the open guy and ball distribution. Magic and Kobe or MJ in the back court would have created some fun mismatches. Would Kobe or MJ have given up the ball back to Magic when the double/triple teams showed up?

Is Kobe a better teammate than Magic? I don't think so.

Was MJ a better teammate?
I just can't answer that one, I don't know the dynamics.

But there's no question that Kobe is a premier scorer and was a top notch defender and he will go down in history as one of the best NBA players ever. I'm thrilled he's on the Lakers and he has provided a lot of entertainment.

I became an NBA fan when Magic joined the Lakers and so I will always have a bias in favor of Magic over anyone up to this point. I recognize it's a bias and taints my objectivity. It's like having a favorite singing group. I think the Beatles were the greatest but others have their own favorites.

But ya know, the bottom line is all three of those players were the cream of the crop. Having those 3 on the same team would, nah, not even going to go there.

Thanks for trying to make me shift my paradigm and think differently. It's actually not that easy of a thing to do.

Can they beat the Lakers? No question. I just don't think they can beat them 4 times in a 7 game series. No yet, anyway.

Art - I'm not going to get into the Fish/Kobe discussion, but the Magic/Kobe one I'll take a little dip.

Magic & Kobe would have gotten along just fine. They were/are BOTH ruthless about winning and demanding more from their teammates. The reason Kobe & Shaq clashed was that Shaq didn't give the same effort as Kobe. Not so with Magic. If you think Worthy did well by Magic, Kobe would have given Magic five more assists a game, and Kobe would have loved to get the dishes from Magic. And they both would hit the boards.

It would have been a nightmare backcourt to match up against. Just a monster. Then with the professionalism of Kareem (and his amazing skillset, superior to Pau, and I think Pau is VERY skilled), not to mention the speed of the game... monstrous. And the Celtics of the 80's couldn't have matched up against Kobe either.

Just my opinion, but....

What is Kobe supposed to say about Fisher? "This guy is washed up"?

Kobe said Luke Walton was a key component to the Laker team along with Adam Morrison.

Kobe's just a nice guy about his teammates..............he rarely calls them out by name.

Posted by: pfunk36 | January 01, 2011 at 03:34 PM
------------------------
pfunk - Kobe made those comments during the offseason. He easily could've went to mgmt and let them know he didn't want Fish back, but instead he lobbied hard to bring him back. Everyone loves Kobe right...so if you got a problem with Fish then you also got a problem with Kobe.

63,

Now darn it, why didn't I think of that stuff you wrote!

You're right of course, they both were ruthless about winning, and instead of clashing they may have complimented each other better than I imagined.

It would have been quite a fun team to watch. Thanks for jumping in, your comments changed my perspective on the issue.

63,

Nice song choice, new to me.
Enjoyed it.

63 Footer---many thanks for your Bert Jansch post on the other thread. I'm a big fan, and I hadn't heard that one.

Many thanks to hobbitmage for giving me the biggest out-loud belly laugh I have had in a long time:

"So when you talk about Magic making his teammates better, a phrase that
I completely disagree with, does anyone *EVER* say that Magic's teammates
made "Him" better? Seriously?"

I imagine hobbitmage at the front of a large lecture hall, filled to the brim with former NBA greats, discoursing loudly and widely on the subject of Kobe and Magic, and when he utters this line, their laughter would be the same as if they had watched him piss in his pants.

Let us remember that Magic and Jordan did play together on the 1992 Olympic team. I don't recall any great struggles, though, granted, this did occur after each had established their individual greatness individually.

Let's also remember that Magic was content to score just a little and pile up the assists. Jordan had Pippen to handle the ball, but certainly he never played with anyone with great passing ability.

Subbing Jordan for Scott on the Showtime Lakers would have meant Magic would have had to score even less, and he would have had far more assists than having to rely on the streaky Scott, and he would have been happy about that.

And Jordan would have received the ball in perfect position to score without having to work nearly so hard, and I believe he would have been happy about that.

Let's also note that Jordan showed he could be a team player in college at North Carolina. My sense is that Jordan cared primarily about winning, and for that reason he would have fit in well with Magic.

In contrast, as I have noted many times before, Kobe cares first and foremost about himself, and only secondarily about winning. This is why Jordan and Magic were so far superior as leaders, while Kobe has only been a divisive force during his career, despite his great desire to be a leader.

(Perhaps it makes a difference that Michael Jordan wasn't chasing anyone's shadow, while Kobe clearly is.)

(One might also consider Jordan's comeback season with Washington. He seemed perfectly content to play a role as a spot-up shooter. Of course, the media fools saw this as somehow a diminishing of his legacy. A more insightful view would link this with his days with Chicago, and see how they fit together.)

(And perhaps consider that Jordan retired loved by most NBA fans, while Kobe will remain loved only by most Laker fans. In particular, try to imagine why this might be. Hint: It has something to do with the character of each man. They may have similar games, but their characters could hardly be more different.)

For those who question Magic's ability as a scorer and clutch shot maker, again you make me laugh. Out loud. A lot. Let's note the following:

1. Magic played in far fewer close games than Kobe did, because he did his job during the first three quarters, and usually sat the fourth. (As I've argued in the past, it is precisely Kobe's refusal to play a team game that makes the Lakers worse than they should be, which is the reason they play in so many close games in which Kobe's clutchness has been called upon.)

2. When called upon to score more toward the end of his career, Magic did that, becoming a solid three-point shooter. Unfortunately, his AIDS diagnosis robbed us of many more years of Magic's greatness, and no doubt his game would have evolved further.

3. Anyone who doubts what kind of scorer Magic could have been on a different team should consider Game 7 against Philadelphia. (In contrast: 7-25 anyone?)

4. Anyone who doubts Magic's ability to perform in the clutch should consider the "junior junior sky-hook" against the Celtics. (Again, consider, in contrast, 7-25.)

Kobe and Magic playing together? Hard to say. Insofar as Kobe wanted to imitate Jordan playing 1 on 5, that would have been a problem.

OTOH, Kobe has never had anyone to pass him the ball in a position to score. I think he prefers it this way, since it means he gets to handle the ball so much himself. (I mean, he doesn't even like anyone setting screens for him. Ask Karl Malone.)

But if Kobe were willing to play small forward like James Worthy (and Kobe has shown the ability to rebound and defend that position at an exceptionally high level), allowing Magic to set him up the right way, he would have scored 40 a game without breaking a sweat, and Magic would have loved him for it.

(Imagine Kobe instead of Worthy on all those fast breaks. Unreal!! And consider how sad it is that in all Kobe's years with the Lakers, how few fast breaks they have run, and how much poorer we are as fans for it.)

Many thanks to Art in FL and kobemvp888 for their insightful comments on this subject.

And many thanks again to hobbitmage and pfunk36 for making me laugh so hard ---a great way to ring in the new year.

Fisher is not washed up. however, Fisher plays way to many minutes then he should be based on his production. it was my understanding Blake was acquired, so Derek would not need to play so many minutes. would like see to Phil get Blake more involved.. give Blake some time to build some confidence ;instead of yanking him as soon as he makes a few errors.

bob T - "fisher is all wash up.i want all you true lakers fans to
just watch fisher in the future games he play.and blog your
true assesment of his play and ask your self would you start
him.well you cant trade him who would want him"

"I don't understand a word. I don't speak the language, you see. Latin, yes. But this eastern babble, no."

Whenever people rag on Fish, I get really irritated, and I know that I shouldn't as we are all entitled to our opinions, but I can't help it. I have this same discussion with my friends who don't even like the lakers, yet dislike Fisher. You hear the argument a lot that he has actually made very few clutch shots in reality so doesn't deserve the credit, but I disagree.

As previously posted, Fisher is a leader. He pulls the team together, he gives speeches to get them in gear. Kobe needed Fisher all those years ago to help bring him together, to calm him down, etcetc.

Plus, like previously mentioned before, he's available. I think having a guy who averages mediocre stats yet shows up for every single game prepared and ready is a lot better than someone who has good stats, yet is injured or sick all the time bringing the team down.

Would Kobe have 5 rings without Fisher?

I don't think so.

Look at the last championship title run to prove it. Had D-Fish not stepped up in game 3, would we have won that game? Who knows, but I don't think so.

Had he not made that inspirational speech in game 7, along with that HUGE 3pt shot.. would we have won? I don't know the answer to that either.

Kobe and Fish play great together, and Fish takes a charge like no one else on the Lakers. There are a lot of haters of him, but give it a rest. He will play a Laker until he retires, and he will show up to every single game, ready and available. Until we find someone who can honestly replace him as a starter, I don't see him going to the bench ANY time soon.

JimJoyce,

re: "So when you talk about Magic making his teammates better, a phrase that
I completely disagree with, does anyone *EVER* say that Magic's teammates
made "Him" better? Seriously?"

I imagine hobbitmage at the front of a large lecture hall, filled to the brim with former NBA greats, discoursing loudly and widely on the subject of Kobe and Magic, and when he utters this line, their laughter would be the same as if they had watched him piss in his pants.

my response: I think you've misunderstood me, but maybe not. Please
point to one article which says that Magic's teammates made him a better
player.

well i guess ill step it up stand up for the man.. seems everyone forgot who and what fish has done for the nba let alone for the lakeshow..lets start with clutch, he is the poster child for it, even against the clippers i believe this season ..he hit the game winner, look, fisher is not the problem, the lakers were caught with their heads covered, thats all, they are awake now i assure you, i think they finnaly get the fact that they are going to have to play for that 3-peat..its not going to be easy, but i assure you they wont give up thier title without a war, its on for sure. so stop dogging fish, he is 50% of the reason we are 2time champs,( if he doesnt get that play last yr against boston, we lose in 6)..so if anyone wants to call me out on it feel free, but the show WILL be there in june.....

JimJoyce,

last comment....

you wrote: (And perhaps consider that Jordan retired loved by most NBA fans, while Kobe will remain loved only by most Laker fans. In particular, try to imagine why this might be. Hint: It has something to do with the character of each man. They may have similar games, but their characters could hardly be more different.)

my response: Actually, you got this wrong.

Jordan retired most *respected* by the NBA fans.

Magic retired most loved by the NBA fans.

People/players who have played against them both or know them both
indicate that there characters are extremely similar when it comes to
basketball. Not just their games, but there preparation for the games
& their veiwpoint on how to play the game.

i agree fisher is gud but thats was 3yrs ago..since last year fisher is having problem matching the opponent point guard..if fisher playing 25-30mins as starter were not the champ this year...its annoying when blake well suddenly sub by fisher..why not give more time to blake and start...FISHER IS THE WORST STARTING POINT GUARD IN THE NBA TODAY..THATS WHY IS EASY TO DOUBLE TEAM KOBE OR PAU COZ THEY KNOW FISHER CANT SHOOT THE BALL WHEN HE GET THE PASS...

Diandra,

you wrote: The lakers can't afford to have a high paid salary Point guard.. i mean really have you seen the players we have and what we pay them? As said earlier, I don't know if Kobe would have flourished had he had a cp3 or even a derrick rose. Fish has calmed kobe over the years, they are best buds and I feel the laker squad would be a much different team without him.

my response:

1. The Lakers affording a high priced pg was never part of the conversation.
It actually has no bearing on the logic involved in the questions.

2. re: Kobe flourishing. So, then do you question whether a top sg can
co-exist with a top pg?

Or are you saying that out of the top 3 sg's of all time, only Kobe couldn't
exist with a top tier pg?

FYI, the top sg's are mj, kobe and jerry west.