'Those three championships that he got, he wasn't the lead dog' - Arenas claims Kobe was always a second fiddle with Shaq

"Three of his championships, he was a sidekick, and it was like, 'He wasn't a sidekick," Arenas said. "He was 21, 22, and 23—those championships, Shaq was the dominant force. So those three championships that he got, he wasn't the lead dog yet."

At the height of his physical dominance, Shaq secured three consecutive Finals MVP awards during their three-peat, a feat few players have accomplished. He carried himself as the driving force behind the Lakers' success in the early 2000s.

Complementing each other

Despite "The Diesel's" dominance, Kobe was far from idle. His progression during the three-peat era was marked by pivotal moments that hinted at his eventual ascension as the Lakers' leader. One of the most significant came during the 2000 NBA Finals.

In Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers, with the Lakers main center fouling out late, "The Black Mamba" seized the opportunity to shine. The young guard scored 28 points, including critical baskets in overtime, to secure a Lakers victory and give the team a commanding 3-1 series lead. The performance foreshadowed the competitive fire and skill set that would later define his legacy.

However, Arenas contends that such moments, while impressive, did not yet elevate No. 8 to the role of the primary option. Comparing the duo to Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, he suggested that every great player needs a complementary star to reach the pinnacle of success.

"We know who Robin is in this instance; his five rings are still Robin rings. Every Superman won when they got the perfect partner… So when they say, 'You didn't win without Pippen; of course, he didn't, 'cause he needed a Pippen; Shaq didn't win until he got Kobe," the former NBA star said.

The Lakers' three-peat was possible because of the synergy of their two stars, even if debates about their respective roles continue to surface. Shaq's overpowering presence and Kobe's moments of brilliance created a dynamic that was both potent and, at times, contentious.