// BEGIN editorial data
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spt_shaq_kobe_comparo.ID_WB = 5024417;
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo.sPubDate = "5/10/2005 8:03:37 PM GMT";
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spt_shaq_kobe_comparo.appDeck = "Click below to learn how these basketball greats compare, then select who you think is better in each skill area. After you've voted on each category, you'll see which Laker you've selected.";
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spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/dynamicDuo_default2.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "bg", "", "", "410", "620", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Shooting","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("/d/ip/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/main.htm","O'Neal","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/shaq_shooting.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Lucy Nicholson", "REUTERS", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "Shaq has little range on his shot. He has a turnaround jump-hook he can make from inside 10 feet. He’s reasonably accurate with it, but would prefer to power inside for a dunk. He can also sink short jump-hooks from the baseline. He doesn’t have much touch. He is a big man, and shoots like a big man, which is to say, clumsily. ";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Bryant","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/kobe_shooting.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Lucy Nicholson", "REUTERS", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "He is an excellent outside shooter. He can nail the three-point shot. He can go one-on-one and swish jumpers with a man right on him. He can drive to the hoop but pull up and sink short-range jumpers. And he doesn’t have a favorite, predictable money shot. Bryant has great touch and classic form, although he tends to hoist flat shots. His major shooting flaw is that his shot selection sometimes could be better. He tends to force outside shots.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Free-throw shooting","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","O'Neal","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/shaq_freeThrow.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Kevork Djansezian", "AP", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "Of all the knocks on Shaq’s game, his free-throw shooting is his greatest embarrassment. He has a herky-jerky motion, and he’s inconsistent. His woes at the line seem to affect his confidence in other areas as well. He came into this season with a career average of .542, and this season he posted an abysmal .490. He has tried free-throw instructors and different methods, but still hasn’t found the holy grail. He hit a few in Game 6 against the Spurs, so there is hope.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Bryant","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/kobe_freeThrow.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Brian Bahr", "Getty Images", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "Kobe is excellent from the line. He has textbook mechanics and a delicate touch. He cans them when his team needs them the most. He came into the season with a career percentage from the line of .831, and this season clicked at a .852 rate. His stroke never varies, either. Like a golfer who has perfected the repeating swing, Bryant is like a machine on the charity stripe.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Rebounding","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","O'Neal","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/shaq_rebounding.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Mike Blake", "REUTERS", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "Shaq is a great rebounder. You can say that someone who is 7-1, 340 pounds ought to be a great rebounder, but he really is. He averaged 11.5 rebounds this season, which would have ranked him No. 5 in the league except he didn’t reach the minimums. Shaq doesn’t just plant himself in the paint. He works to get position, and he anticipates well. When he does get a rebound, he’s good at not allowing defenders to slap it away, something that happens often with lesser big men.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Bryant","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/kobe_rebounding.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Kevork Djansezian", "AP", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "Kobe is not a monster on the boards. But for a guy who plays the 2 and 3 and is not expected to clean the glass, he does a better-than-average job. This season he averaged 5.5 per contest. He hustles after rebounds, even if it isn’t in his job description. And he backs down to nobody, so when he gets his hands on a rebound, he usually can secure it.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Passing","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","O'Neal","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/shaq_passing.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Lisa Blumenfeld", "Getty Images", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "The problem here is a lack of opportunity. Usually, the plan is to dump it to Shaq and let him force his way toward the hoop. The closest he gets to passing is kicking back an entry pass when he doesn't have a clear path to the basket. When he is at the high post, he can find an open man and get the ball to him. He’s a good interior passer, although there are times when he forces things and commits a turnover.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Bryant","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/kobe_passing.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Brendan Mcdermid/epa/sipa", "Sipa Press", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "Kobe is an outstanding passer – when he does pass. His problem is often an unwillingness to share. He gets too caught up in individual showmanship, and fails to look for teammates. When he is committed to the team game, he’s a splendid passer, because he has court vision and superb instincts. Kobe would be one of the best passers in the NBA, if that’s what he wanted.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Defense","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","O'Neal","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/shaq_defense.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Darren Hauck", "AP", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "His work in the middle anchors the Lakers' defense. When he's energetic, challenging shots and blocking some, that makes it easier for the rest of the Lakers to defend. Shaq's defense is not consistent, however. If he committed to defense and didn't worry so much about dominating on offense, he would be as good as any big man in the league. Right now, he’s living off his reputation, although he came on strong against San Antonio.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Bryant","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/kobe_defense.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Lisa Blumenfeld", "Getty Images", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "He is one of the finest one-on-one defenders. He has a considerable wingspan, and he keeps his arms up while harassing his man. He’s effective at denying the ball and fighting through screens. If he put all his energy into his defense, he could shut down just about anybody. He’s also a magnificent team defender. He is smart and is active in slapping away the ball.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Leadership","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","O'Neal","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/shaq_leadershipA.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Kim D. Johnson", "AP", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "His inconsistency is a problem. He doesn't always show up to camp in shape, and that is not consistent with great leadership. His preparation for the season causes him to lose some respect in the locker room. But he often makes up for it with furious efforts during games. Unlike Bryant, O’Neal is funny and gregarious, and that compensates for a lot of his shortcomings among teammates.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Bryant","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/kobe_leadership.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Mark J. Terrill", "AP", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "He is a tremendous basketball player, so he can recruit teammates to follow his example when he’s taking over. But he also can alienate his fellow Lakers with selfishness and arrogance. He isn’t a rah-rah guy. When he puts aside his ego and concentrates on what is best for the team, he’s one of the greatest leaders. When he cops an attitude, he can ruin relationships with teammates, coaches and fans.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Competitiveness","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","O'Neal","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/shaq_competitiveness.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Mike Blake", "REUTERS", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "Often his trash talk – like referring to the Kings as the “Queens” – gets the attention and overshadows his passion to win. But he’s highly competitive. As a Laker, he’s determined to dominate and carry his teammates. As an individual star, he wants to defeat anyone who claims to be his equal. He doesn’t always back up his desires with action because of conditioning issues, but the hunger is there.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Bryant","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/kobe_competitivesness.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Brendan Mcdermid", "Sipa Press", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "There aren’t too many on the planet more competitive than Kobe Bryant. Like Michael Jordan, Kobe is that rare athlete who has extraordinary athletic ability mixed with a fierce will to win. That confidence and fire has helped him develop into one of basketball’s best money players. ";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Intelligence","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","O'Neal","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/shaq_intelligence.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Otto Greule Jr", "Getty Images", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "He is bright, and that carries over to the basketball court. He doesn’t make many dumb passes. He rarely takes a shot he has no business taking. He's mindful of his teammates on the court, and he’s cognizant of defenses employed against him. He isn’t just a powerful force, but rather a shrewd operator who grasps his role and those of his comrades.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Bryant","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/kobe_imtelligence.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Harry How", "Getty Images", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "In terms of understanding the game, Kobe gets an A-plus. But his problem comes in applying his knowledge. Because he is so stubborn sometimes, he will ignore the smart move and try some wild maneuver or bizarre drive to the hoop. It’s like anything else: It’s not enough to know the information, you also have to know how to use it. To his credit, he usually refrains from boneheaded stunts at important stages of games.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Coachability","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","O'Neal","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/shaq_coachability.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Adrees Latif", "REUTERS", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "Before Phil Jackson arrived, Shaq’s ability to take instructions from a coach left a lot to be desired. Just ask Brian Hill in Orlando or Del Harris in L.A. But starting with Jackson's first season, in 1999-2000, O'Neal has mostly been a model student. His only major failing is his inability to adhere to a conditioning program in the offseason.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Bryant","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/kobe_coachability.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Kevork Djansezian", "AP", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "He has a long way to go before he’ll be considered a star pupil. Like Shaq, Kobe has a massive ego, but he has a stubbornness that often runs contrary to Phil Jackson. Kobe would like to have more one-on-one situations, whereas Phil wants him to work within the triangle and pass more. Jackson has done a lot to try to mend fences, but Bryant seems determined to maintain the tension.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","The future","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","O'Neal","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/shaq_futureA.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Mike Blake", "REUTERS", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "Shaq is under contract for two more seasons with the Lakers, but can become a free agent after next season. It is highly likely he will remain in Los Angeles because there are so many endorsement opportunities there. Also, he will have the best chance to earn more titles if he stays where he is. The most logical outcome would be for Shaq to finish his career as a Laker.";

spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i++] = new Array("","Bryant","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_production/spt_shaq_kobe_comparo/kobe_future.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Mike Blake", "Reuters", "358", "202", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_shaq_kobe_comparo[i-1].body = "Kobe probably will face trial soon on a sexual assault charge. If he is convicted, he could face four years to life in prison. As for basketball, he will opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer. The teams most often mentioned as suitors are the Suns, Nuggets and Clippers, because they have cap space. But the Lakers can pay him the most, a 7-year deal worth about $142 million. It makes the most sense for Bryant to re-sign with the Lakers.";

	// END editorial data