Kobe Bryant's Legacy: What If...

Don't get the title twisted.  There isn't a lot of "what ifs" when it comes to Kobe Bryant.

He's had a Hall Of Fame career, and if his career keeps going like this, he will be remembered as one of the top 5 players of all time.  But, as I've learned through my 15 years on earth: you can't help but think about the what ifs.  And during Kobe Bryant's great career, there have been some what ifs.  Here are a couple I want to focus on.

1. What if Kobe and Shaq stayed together?

We all know what we saw when Shaq and Kobe were together: You had the constant bickering, the argument of whose team it is, or whose the top-dog on this team.  But you also saw them win three straight championships.  And if wasn't for a bit of bad luck here or there, they could've had four or five rings. 

It would have been interesting to see them switch roles, as Shaq became Kobe's Robin and vice versa.  So the question is: What if Kobe and Shaq stayed together?

2. What if Michael Jordan was never born?

This is one we all think about when comparing the careers of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.  When we think of Jordan, "his Airness" himself, we know he won six championships, six finals MVP trophies, the multitude of records and the distinct notion of calling No. 23 the greatest of all time.

When we think of Kobe, we think of his career accomplishments too: 81 points in a single game, four championships, the 'fro, and probably the second most-scrutinized player of his generation (behind only Allen Iverson). 

So it makes you stop and think: If MJ was never born, or didn't have the type of career he had, would we view Kobe the same?  Or differently?  Obviously we wouldn't have Jordan as a measuring stick when we compare their careers.  But could Kobe Bryant realistically be considered the greatest of all time?  We may never now because of the greatness of MJ.

As I said before, Kobe Bryant is a spectacular player.  He's a once-in-a-generation player and an MVP candidate for the next couple of years.  But when we think of Kobe Bryant, we might have to use the words "what if" when thinking about his legacy in the NBA.