Every organization in sports understands that having superstars is necessary to win championships; however, one piece alone doesn't get it done. Role players deliver in moments needed most. Whether it's a game-winner or a defensive block, they provide the little things that matter, which impact winning.

Brian Shaw is a retired 14-year veteran who won three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, alongside superstar Shaquille O'Neal. He was a steady role player who provided leadership, defense, and facilitation. Shaw not only played with O'Neal for the historic franchise, but also on the Orlando Magic.

On both squads, he saw the dominant center with two different electrifying guards as his sidekick: Kobe Bryant and Penny Hardaway. Both finished with drastically different careers, but were nearly as talented.

The history between O'Neal and both stars is well known, along with the success he had with one more than the other. He won three championships with Bryant, but didn't win one with Hardaway.

In a recent episode of the "Byron Scott's Fast Break" podcast, Shaw sat down with his former Laker teammate and discussed which combo is better.

"I have to go with Shaq and Kobe," he said. "What they accomplished and the level they got to, in terms of players, but that's no slight to Penny Hardaway."

How the Lakers Dominated the NBA | Brian Shaw on Kobe, Shaq & Phil Jackson’s Triangle Former Laker Brian Shaw sits down with Byron Scott to revisit some of the most pivotal moments in NBA history. From the unforgettable Game 7 comeback vs. Por...

Shaw added how talented a young Hardaway was, but injuries derailed his trajectory. He suffered back-to-back meniscus tears and was never the same afterwards.

Fans nowadays have nearly forgotten how talented and promising Hardaway was in the early Magic days. He was a four-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA, and averaged over 20 points per game in three seasons. Hardaway went on to have a 14-year career, but remains one of the biggest "what-ifs" in league history.

If casuals were presented this question, O'Neal and Bryant would be the unanimous answer. It's easy to decide because now we have the final results of both duos. At the same time, who knows what could've been in O'Neal stayed in Orlando? Perhaps Hardaway doesn't suffer those injuries and blossoms into the superstar he was projected to be.

Bryant, who passed in 2020 in a helicopter crash, left behind a basketball legacy. Along with five championships, he was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, 12-time All-Defense, and a Hall of Famer.

Bryant and O'Neal were also the last duo, to this day, to win three straight championships. They have a case to be the greatest duo in league history. Despite a nasty fallout due to big egos clashing, there is no denying their dominance together.