Ep. 32-2004 NBA Christmas: Kobe vs Shaq
NBA Christmas is a tradition older than the league itself, and very few matchups have had more hype than Kobe playing Shaq for the first time in 2004
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NBA basketball on Christmas Day is a 73-year old tradition with many amazing matchups throughout history. Very few, if any, of Christmas Day games have had as much hype as the 2004 matchup between Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers and Shaquille O'neal's Miami Heat after their very public breakup. Gabe Ibrahim and Alex Lange break down all of the hype around this game, what happened in the game itself, what it meant for Dwyane Wade's career and how we feel about Kobe as we head to our first Christmas without him.
Show Notes
Intro: Kobe, Tell me how my ass taste
Study Hall: Shaq-Kobe relationship and breakup
Do you think Kobe still wants to leave if they beat the Pistons?
Would you have picked Kobe over Shaq in 2004?
Who would you want as Kobe's coach at this point?
The Skinny
it was close but kind of gross, the Heat won
Six Pack
Shaq-Kobe handshake and opening salvo
The Shaq-Kobe broadcast stuff
Light boos for Shaq were a disappointment, but the crowd came around
There was an outro with why can't be friends with a Shaq-Kobe montage
The hollywood breakups montage
Nicole Kidman's amazing aging curve
Brutal role players
Eddie Jones is Miami's 3rd best player, Miami needed a ton from Damon Jones, Christian Laettner was huge for Miami in this game
Who is Jumaine Jones
Playing style was also brutal
All isos and post-ups
Bill Walton
Bill Walton re-gifting shit to his kids
"The Heat are like the sun, they wear you down"
"Shaq is all lathered up out there, they have to get him the ball"
“was the arbitrator’s decision in federal court correct Bill Walton?” WHAT!?
Little Things From the Broadcast
Shaq and Kobe Compared to celebrity couples
Nicole Kidman looking hungover as hell
Nokia: the official phone of the NBA
Hitch and Coach Carter ads
Al Michaels talks about Les Moonves got married over Christmas. What kind of psychopath has their wedding at Christmas??
Legacy
Important for Wade's development
Where do Kobe-Shaq ranked as a duo all time?
Are they unique? Any other duos of equally talented stars?
Our feelings on Kobe since he died
Thank you so much for listening to us talk and making this year special for us, even amid all the horrible stuff happening. We will be back in 2021 with a new direction. We hope you guys have a lovely Christmas and New Years’ Eve.