The level this team was in the playoffs.. Not sure if I can think of any team that could beat them

Then in later years, Kobe grew frustrated with Shaq's lack of not getting in shape, and not working aa hard as he does. Shaq admitted to Kobe that he didn't take his conditioning serious as he should've. That's what complicated their relationship, and why Kobe was kept and Shaq eventually traded. And Kobe went on to win more titles without Shaq, than Shaq won without Kobe.