They hand checked during the Kobe/Shaquille 3 peat as well so that stayed the same. They didn't ban it until 2005, so I know he can play through that contact. I just always wondered how he would do with no zones clogging up his lanes or the triple threat area. The shorter 3 point line always intrigues me as well because before his fingers he would go on streaks from out there that were crazy, like his 12 in a game. I just wonder what some of his 81, 62 thru 3 quarters, and so on games would look like when the shots were somewhat easier in ways of congestion and length. I mean the 3 which MJ shot poorly at for himself is considered a long 2 which Kobe still cashes in even with the current hands, so it is just one of those what ifs for me.
Interesting fact is that Kobe shot like 4 times the 3's of Jordan for their careers with a longer line and shot better, so it just makes me wonder. Slightly less intriguing is Kobe has played more games and minutes but trails MJ unfree throw and field goal attempts by gr gaps still which I guess you can chalk up to Shaquille, but that is why I laugh when people say he is a ball hog or chucker and try to cite their scoring.
Michael was the better player, but I do honestly believe Kobe is flat out the better natural scorer of the two on their hottest nights because of range. Listening to Tex and Phil describe the two in practices especially and games and how they felt the need to pull Kobe at times and not Michael, not because of low assists os selection, but how hot and long a streak he can or could sustain gets guys to spectating rather than playing only furthers that thought for me
