forget '12-13, that was a disaster in a series of last ditch efforts to keep the Lakers in the conversation

they had '08, '09, and '10 to capitalize on the post-Shaq years of Kobe and came through.

and though Kobe threatened to leave, Lakers showed resolve as an org.
Kobe was carrying the bags of Smush Parker in those past-Shaq years.

he single handedly kept that team relevant and they finally got him some help to return the favor.

KD is basically Kobe w/a team full of SHAQ right now

he still has time to be Dirk or '08-10 Kobe

also re: Shaq. Kobe was right. when he left the Lakers it was a slow roll to a fall off a cliff into journeyman status. Doesn't erase his Orlando/late '90s Lakers greatness but still... it works both ways

the '06 Heat was him doing with Wade what Kobe was (allegedly) doing with Shaq.