Kobe Bryant Discussion: Mamba Out!

"Way too long for 140 characters, but here's the Kobe story Dwyane Wade told me: This was last month, the night before the Heat hosted the Lakers here in Miami. Wade decided to stop by the arena and get in a soak in the cold tub. He goes through the Heat's locker room area, back over to the training room, and who is already just sitting there in the tub...Kobe Bryant. Wade told me in the 13 years he's played for the Heat, he's never ever seen Pat Riley let an opposing player into the inner sanctum like that, using the team's facilities, and that frankly, he was shocked. Of course, that's the respect that Kobe has earned, and the two old friends had a great, long talk. At the end of it, Kobe asked Dwyane if his sons were coming to the game the next night. Dwyane said no, as it was a school night, and Kobe said, 'you know what, bring them, I think it's going to be my last time here.' Dwyane brought the boys, they got a lifetime memory after the game taking pictures with Kobe, and the Wade family got a little sneak-preview of Kobe's retirement announcement before anyone else."

Source: http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/12/3/9846662/dwyane-wade-kobe-bryant-retirement

 

Kobe reminded me with one game at age 37 how he is more special than any of the prime players today, including Curry.

 

Yeah as great as Curry is playing right now he can't touch Kobe from an overall game perspective.

Better shooter? Sure, but that's about it. He can't defend at the level a Kobe did. When he put his mind to it and really locked down he really was as good a perimeter defender as there was in the NBA. His post game. As Shaq says he'd make barbecue chicken out of guys on the box. His footwork was impeccable. Had that little shoulder dip to create space just enough get a shot off. One of the best pump fakes in the league. His fadeaway/turnaround was about as unstoppable as MJ's. Mid range was second to none.

I've always maintained Kobe is the most skilled player in basketball history along with Kareem. Kareem's skyhook is something that's never been duplicated. Most unstoppable move in the history of the game. Big reason they both were able to play 20 seasons.

 

Curry has been really impressive and I'm a huge fan of his game, but do it for another 15 years to get on Kobe's level.

 

Thought Kobe was the best for nearly a decade. From the end of the three peat till about the final championship run. That's a long time to be on top. Other than Jordan nobody has had that kind of run in the last two decades. After that he was still right there with LeBron and KD and perhaps just slightly below them until the Achilles tear. During the three peat seasons he was the second or third best player in the league behind Shaq and maybe Duncan. That's a fifteen year run of being at the top or near the top of the league. That's an incredible run of success.

 

A lot of great players were in the league and had great years at the same time as Kobe ...

While some "experts" had an agenda , the fact he wasn't recognized as the best player in the NBA during some years shouldn't be considered this big of a knock on Kobe greatness ...

Plus it's sometimes hard to clearly tell who is the best player in the NBA at a particular moment ... unless you consider it's automatically the best player on the championship team.

I think he was clearly the best player in the league from 06 to 08 , the rest is debatable .

 

I too am skeptical on Kobe having games like the last on a regular basis, but really enjoyed his last performance. To see him go back to using his tremendous footwork to create midrange shots again brought me back to his greatness. The clutch shots he made in the last two minutes were sweet. His shot selection improved but he still took at least a half dozen forced 3s with no shot clock issue. Baby steps...Show me more Mr. Bryant...

 

I'd say Kobe was inarguably the best from around the '05-06 season through the 08-09 season. Before that there was Duncan's domination then Shaq. After that there was Lebron. During that time, those 4 seasons, I think it was clear that Kobe was the best in the league.

 

LeBron was definitely the best player in the 2010 regular season, but Kobe was dealing with all those injuries and had a tough second half of the season. Got off to an incredible start shooting wise and then he broke his finger which obviously had a major impact on his percentage. Kobe vastly outperformed him in the postseason when it mattered most so for me he was still the best. Don't know what happened to LeBron, but he packed it in midway through that C Bags series.

 

He was busy preparing for "The Decision"

 

Byron running Kobe straight to his grave. 2nd most minutes (barely) on Lakers. More minutes than any Hawk starter.

STILL AT THE LIMIT.

 

The team also seems to be relying on Kobe a little too much to shoulder the mental burden of these games on the line. That's the downside of when he is able to pull out vintage performances like he did in Washington.

Less Kobe, more JC in the 4th might be something to try.

 

He's 37 years old and he's basically averaging that many minutes the last couple of games. What in the f*** is wrong with you Byron? This man is in season #20 and you're playing him this much? Not defending his shot selection, but I mean c'mon this is just inexcusable. What was D'Antoni ruining his career not enough? We know have to make sure Kobe has to nurse yet another injury on his way out?