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The Third Championship - 2001-2002
Playoff Averages
Shaq - 30.4 points, 15.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists.
Kobe - 29.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists.
Shaq himself called Kobe the best player during the previous year's Playoffs while continuing to be the most dominant Big in the league. Kobe had won the All-Star MVP Award that year. Kobe and Shaq both finished in the top 5 of MVP voting that particular season? Absurd to say one of these guys carried the other because they were both amongst the 5 best players in the League.
In Game 7 of Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings, Kobe had an amazing night as he had 10 Rebounds and 7 Assists to compliment his 30 points. While Shaq had 35 in that game, it would be absolutely foolish to disregard Kobe's performances that night.
As the numbers clearly suggest, Shaq needed Kobe just as much Kobe needed Shaq to win the 3 Championships. The "Shaq carried Kobe" narrative has now been busted!
