After claiming that Kobe Bryant was a sidekick at one point, retired NBA player Gilbert Arenas sparked controversy among Bryant’s supporters. Arenas claims that Bryant was Shaquille O’Neal‘s sidekick for the first three championship rings.
Bryant played with O’Neal and won his first three titles. When they faced the Indiana Pacers in the 2000 NBA Playoffs, it was their first time winning a championship together. The youthful shooting guard averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over the series. In contrast, O’Neal earned his first MVP nomination with 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks.
The following year, Bryant improved and averaged 24.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists through five games in the Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers big man, had 33.0 points, 15.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
That was followed by their Finals appearance in 2002 against the New Jersey Nets. Bryant had 26.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists. O’Neal continued his dominance as he led the Lakers to a 4-0 sweet against the Nets with his 36.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.
In those three Finals appearances, O’Neal was awarded the Finals MVP for his dominance. Bryant, on the other hand, would win his first Finals MVP award in 2009, after he led the team past the Orlando Magic. He’d win another award the following year after beating the Boston Celtics.
Gilbert Arenas’ hot take on Kobe Bryant
On Wednesday’s episode of “Gil’s Arena,” the former NBA star explained how he thinks Kobe Bryant was a sidekick during the time he played with O’Neal.
“I said something that irritated the s**t out of Kobe fans, even though I’m a Kobe fan,” Arenas said. “When I said three of his championships, he was a sidekick and everybody’s like, ‘Oh, he was never a sidekick!’”
“He was only 21, 22 and 23. Those championships, Shaq was the dominant force. So those three championships that he got, he wasn’t the lead dog yet.”
Arenas went on to say that Bryant had more of a Robin-type of role alongside Shaq.
“We know who Robin is in this instance. His five rings, there’s still Robin rings.”
"3 of his championships [Kobe] was the sidekick… Shaq was the dominant force."
Is Gil trippin' for saying Kobe was Robin to Shaq's Batman during the Lakers dynasty 🤔 pic.twitter.com/nhCkdJRClE
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) December 18, 2024
Bryant redeemed himself when he led the Lakers to a back-to-back title win.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
