[Aslan]

Okay first of all, your case did sound a little convincing but I still have to disagree. Lets just do a breakdown of Shaq vs. Kobe comparison quickly from 2000-2009 in - major stats, accolades, playoff appearances, finals appearances, records etc.

Kobe vs Shaq (2000-2009)
Championships: Kobe - 4 vs. Shaq - 4
Season MVPs: Kobe - 1 vs. Shaq - 1
Finals MVPs: Kobe - 1 vs. Shaq - 3
Allstar MVPs: Kobe - 3 vs. Shaq - 3
All NBA 1st Teams: Kobe - 7 vs. Shaq - 7
All NBA 1st Defensive Teams: Kobe - 7 vs. Shaq - 0
Finals Appearances: Kobe - 6 vs. Shaq 5
Playoff Appearances: Kobe - 9 (missed 2005) vs. Shaq - 9 (missed 2009)
Allstar Game Appearances: Kobe - 10 vs. Shaq - 9 (missed 2008)
Scoring Titles: Kobe - 2 vs. Shaq - 1

Statistical : 2000-2009 -- Kobe vs Shaq

Regular Season Games Played: Kobe - 748 vs. Shaq - 662
Playoff Games Played: Kobe - 147 vs Shaq - 137
Regular Season PPG: Kobe - 31.1 ppg vs. Shaq - 25.1 ppg
Playoffs PPG: Kobe - 28.3 ppg vs. Shaq - 23.3 ppg
Total Season Points: Kobe - 21,065 pts vs. Shaq 15,276 pts.
Total Playoff Points: Kobe - 4,053 pts vs Shaq 3,359 pts

Records and Accomplishments 2000-2009: Kobe vs Shaq

-2nd Most Points Scored in a Game Behind Wilts Chamberlains 100 points- Kobe - (81 points)
-Four Straight Games scoring 50 points or more - Kobe (65, 50, 60, 50) - 2nd person only to do that behind Wilt Chamberlain.
- 7th Highest Season PPG in NBA History Behind Chamberlain and Jordan - Kobe (35.4 ppg)
- Most Three-pointers Made in a Game - Kobe - (12 3pt FG made)

- Shaq did not partake in this because there were really no individual records he broke from a historical stand point like Kobe in any statistical categories from 2000-2009.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This concludes that Kobe put up the numbers and played many more games, won award, broke records, and did things on a consistent basis on the offensive and defensive end from 2000 to 2009 unlike Shaq. I give Kobe the overwhelming vote for NBA player of the decade because he was the best player statistically and skillfully adding also his accolades.

Kobe Bryant = NBA Player of The Decade

Great research and further proves the point why Kobe deserves the award. Before Kobe is finished he will be known as one of the greatest players to every play the game. I'm not saying he will be THE greatest(better than Jordan), but he will be up there with the greats.