Of course. Shaq didn't win by himself. Kobe didn't win by himself. Together, with Phil, and the perfect role players they were a dominant unstoppable force.
Its funny though how depending on what side of the argument you fall on, Kobe carried Shaw or Shaq carried Kobe.
Together they were a nightmare for teams to guard.
The revisionist history is amazing. Next thing you'll be saying KD had to team up with Westbrook and Magic had to team up with Worthy and Bird had to team up with McHale.
Drafting vs. Free Agency...how does it work.
So your premise is what? Its better or more honorable to build through the draft? It doesn't change the fact that no one superstar can do it by himself. And whether a team is built through the draft or FA, you still need 2-3 really good players and for them to play really well together to be a constant contender/champion. Magic played in another era and was lucky to be on the Lakers. That team was stacked. Same with Bird and Celtics. Unless you get drafted on a team like that, why in the world would you want to stay with your squad especially if they show they can't get much better?
KD is extremely lucky that the Thunder had some great drafts and built a team around him right away. Other wise all these guys would have been great players on so-so teams.
I see it as fans for some odd reason having a problem when players themselves use the system to team up or decide their own future. GMs trade players? Cut players? Sure go right ahead! But a player gets to FA and decides to form a super team? Well then stop the presses! They are cheating the system!
Correct me if I'm wrong but, didn't Kobe's scoring average take a dramatic jump after Shaq left? Kobe's been unguardable since he was 20, regardless of the system, or the teammates he played with.
Of course it did. All those shots, possessions, and opportunities that Shaq gobbled up were now all for Kobe. Doesn't mean they won anything until he started crying for more players or a trade and then they worked out a sweet ass deal with the Grizzlies thanks to their connections.