Kobe Bryant's Prime 2005 to 2010

[laronprofit9]

Kobe Bryant 2005 to 2010

http://socialmediaseo.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/kobe-bryant-mvp.jpg


How Long?
5 Seasons
394 Regular Season Games
79 Playoff Games
11,756 Points
15,404 Minutes
Age 27 to 31

What did he Accomplish?
5x All-NBA 1st Team
5x All-Defensive 1st Team
5x All-Star
3x NBA Finals Appearance
2x NBA Champion
1x NBA League MVP
2x NBA Finals MVP
2x Scoring Champion
2x All-Star Game MVP
1x Olympic Gold Medal

What were his stats? (2005 to 2010)

Regular Season

394 Games

29.8 ppg 5.6 rpg 5.0 apg 1.6 spg 0.4 bpg 3.1 tpg

46%FG/35%3P/85%FT
56%TS=11756/(2*(8901+.44*3434))

Playoffs

79 Games

29.8 ppg 5.7 rpg 5.4 apg 1.5 spg 0.6 bpg 3.3 tpg

47%FG/35%3P/84%FT
57%TS=2358/(2x(1779+.44*659))

Prime Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant's Prime has lasted for 5 years, and still looking strong this season(2010-2011) to extend it to 6 years.

The greatest prime by a perimeter player since Michael Jordan's retirement. You can just look at the accolades they speak for themselves. The Stats are MVP-Caliber. High Winning PCT. Deep Playoff Runs.

Congrats to Kobe completing one of the greatest primes ever in NBA History.

[Ruh-Roh]

How does this 5 year stretch of Kobe Bryant's Prime compare to other NBA All-Time Greats' Primes?

Well...if this thread wasn't doomed to go exactly where we all thought it would go already, you basically just sealed it's fate by blatantly asking for it :lol

Great 5 years though, hard to disagree with the numbers.

[Nevaeh]

Kobe's a really great player. Is he a LEGEND who changed the game in any significant way? No, but he was awesome for the second half of the decade. Not too shabby at all.

[N0Skillz]

Edit Your Second Post Fast!!

[ShaqAttack3234]

Different phases of Kobe's game have peaked at different times.

2000 was his best defensive season when he used a lot of energy at that end and guarded point guards, shooting guards and small forwards with success.

2003 was his physical peak when he bulked up to 220+ pounds and seemed more athletic than any other year.

2006 was his peak scoring season(though he was just as good later in 2007)

2008 was his best season in terms of game management and making his teammates better. He'd start out games getting everyone involved and then take over late like it was nothing. Not surprisingly so many Lakers(particularly shooters) had better seasons than usual.

Following up on the 2008 season......here's the effect Kobe's play had on his teammates.

Fisher had a career best TS% that year and virtually tied his career best FG% mark while posting the 3rd highest 3P% of his career and his best per 36 scoring season.

Jordan Farmar posted his best FG% and TS% by a good margin as well as his best scoring average.

Sasha Vujacic also put up his best scoring average, FG%, TS% and 3P% by a good margin as well as career high in 3s made by a good margin as well.

Vladimir Radmanovic topped his previous best FG% quite easily and he still hasn't come close to his 2008 mark and he had the second best 3P% of his ca

Lamar Odom also easily topped his previous best FG% and TS%(though he's shattering those quite easily this season).

As far as Kobe's prime? Well, it's tough to say, he played some of his best basketball in the 2001 playoffs and his 2003 season seemed like a prime season. He's been one of the league's top 5 players since 2001 with the exception of that injury-plagued 2005 season when he was in a more ball-dominant role which was an adjustment.

[laronprofit9]

Different phases of Kobe's game have peaked at different times.

2000 was his best defensive season when he used a lot of energy at that end and guarded point guards, shooting guards and small forwards with success.

2003 was his physical peak when he bulked up to 220+ pounds and seemed more athletic than any other year.

2006 was his peak scoring season(though he was just as good later in 2007)

2008 was his best season in terms of game management and making his teammates better. He'd start out games getting everyone involved and then take over late like it was nothing. Not surprisingly so many Lakers(particularly shooters) had better seasons than usual.

Following up on the 2008 season......here's the effect Kobe's play had on his teammates.

Fisher had a career best TS% that year and virtually tied his career best FG% mark while posting the 3rd highest 3P% of his career and his best per 36 scoring season.

Jordan Farmar posted his best FG% and TS% by a good margin as well as his best scoring average.

Sasha Vujacic also put up his best scoring average, FG%, TS% and 3P% by a good margin as well as career high in 3s made by a good margin as well.

Vladimir Radmanovic topped his previous best FG% quite easily and he still hasn't come close to his 2008 mark and he had the second best 3P% of his ca

Lamar Odom also easily topped his previous best FG% and TS%(though he's shattering those quite easily this season).

As far as Kobe's prime? Well, it's tough to say, he played some of his best basketball in the 2001 playoffs and his 2003 season seemed like a prime season. He's been one of the league's top 5 players since 2001 with the exception of that injury-plagued 2005 season when he was in a more ball-dominant role which was an adjustment.

2002-2003 Was Easily Kobe's Physical Prime. He was stronger, faster, quicker, higher leaper, best stamina, best endurance than any other point in his career imo. Career highs in Minutes, Minutes Per Game, Games Played, 3P%, Steals, Steals per Game, Rebounds, Rebounds Per Game, and Blocks. A lot of those stats are mainly due to his athleticism.

2005-2006 Was Kobe's Basketball Skill Prime. Combining Skill and Athleticism. Kobe's best individual year. He could do it all this year, except win lol. He was better this year than 2003, but was clearly a level below in athletcism.

2008 to present, Kobe has matured into his best form as a leader. Kobe has been criticized for leadership for most of his career, but during 07-08 things turned around. I actually think he's a top 3 leader in this game now, arguably the best. His lead by example model, has gotten a lot of players around him better. Every player that has gone to the Lakers during this time, has improved their work ethic and improved some aspect of their game. It shows. Plus 3 Finals Appearances and 2 Championships should also show his quality as a leader as well.

[PrimeJohnnyDepp]

Kobe's prime for stat douches: 2005-2010

Classic fun super Kobe times: 1998 - 2004.

Kobe's

[laronprofit9]

[QUOTE=PrimeJohnnyDepp]Kobe's prime for stat douches: 2005-2010

Classic fun super Kobe times: 1998 - 2004.

Kobe's

[Ruh-Roh]

Different phases of Kobe's game have peaked at different times.

2000 was his best defensive season when he used a lot of energy at that end and guarded point guards, shooting guards and small forwards with success.

2003 was his physical peak when he bulked up to 220+ pounds and seemed more athletic than any other year.

2006 was his peak scoring season(though he was just as good later in 2007)

2008 was his best season in terms of game management and making his teammates better. He'd start out games getting everyone involved and then take over late like it was nothing. Not surprisingly so many Lakers(particularly shooters) had better seasons than usual.

Following up on the 2008 season......here's the effect Kobe's play had on his teammates.

Fisher had a career best TS% that year and virtually tied his career best FG% mark while posting the 3rd highest 3P% of his career and his best per 36 scoring season.

Jordan Farmar posted his best FG% and TS% by a good margin as well as his best scoring average.

Sasha Vujacic also put up his best scoring average, FG%, TS% and 3P% by a good margin as well as career high in 3s made by a good margin as well.

Vladimir Radmanovic topped his previous best FG% quite easily and he still hasn't come close to his 2008 mark and he had the second best 3P% of his ca

Lamar Odom also easily topped his previous best FG% and TS%(though he's shattering those quite easily this season).

As far as Kobe's prime? Well, it's tough to say, he played some of his best basketball in the 2001 playoffs and his 2003 season seemed like a prime season. He's been one of the league's top 5 players since 2001 with the exception of that injury-plagued 2005 season when he was in a more ball-dominant role which was an adjustment.

Well done, as usual.:cheers:

I do recall you stating months ago elite players tend to peak around 27 years old, OP's range would honor your general theory.

I also think (and believe you probably do as well) that complete athletic peaks of elite basketball players serves as prelude to overall peak. The whole package just takes longer to assemble than the motor-skills and physique does.

Easy example being Jordan was a monster in '89, but the whole package wasn't there yet. With Kobe fitting easily into that model, the whole package couldn't be there because he wasn't a primary offensive weapon until Shaq left and was still caught between being a 1b and 2 option from 2001-2003.

Your 2008 statement is the most important for me of everything you said, it's the fullest evolution of him as a player & encapsulates the best assembly of all his skills as they developed/wore off slightly, which to me is what a true peak is.

[laronprofit9]

Kobe Bryant's Peak and Prime are actually very hard to define.

For one thing, no single year really seems to stand out over the others. Like 02-03 TMac for instance.

He's had similar level of production ever since 2001 for 10 consecutive seasons. With minimal peaks and valleys in between.

Technically you could say 2001 to present has been his prime, but that seems to be more of his career.

After thinking about it, I'd say these 5 years(2005 to 2010), was the best choice all things considered, for the prime of his career.

[NoName22]

I pray to the Kobe 'god' Bryant for blessing us all these years.

We been eating good all this time http://forums.projectcovo.com/images/smilies/eating%20good.gif

[laronprofit9]

During 2005 to 2010.

Kobe had 64 Games where he scored at least 40+ Points. (105 for his career)
Kobe had 19 Games where he scored at least 50+ Points. (24 for his career)
Kobe had all 5 of his 60+ Points performances during this 5 year stretch.

There were 49 Games where a player scored at least 50 or more from 2005 to 2010. Kobe had 19 of them.

There 392 Games where a player scored at least 40 or more from 2005 to 2010. Kobe had 64 of them.

Most of Kobe's best performances came during these seasons.

[NoName22]

During 2005 to 2010.

Kobe had 64 Games where he scored at least 40+ Points. (105 for his career)
Kobe had 19 Games where he scored at least 50+ Points. (24 for his career)
Kobe had all 5 of his 60+ Points performances during this 5 year stretch.

There were 49 Games where a player scored at least 50 or more from 2005 to 2010. Kobe had 19 of them.

There 392 Games where a player scored at least 40 or more from 2005 to 2010. Kobe had 64 of them.

Most of Kobe's best performances came during these seasons.

http://forums.projectcovo.com/images/smilies/eating%20good.gif

[laronprofit9]

During 2005 to 2010.

Kobe had 64 Games where he scored at least 40+ Points. (105 for his career)
Kobe had 19 Games where he scored at least 50+ Points. (24 for his career)
Kobe had all 5 of his 60+ Points performances during this 5 year stretch.

There were 49 Games where a player scored at least 50 or more from 2005 to 2010. Kobe had 19 of them.

There 392 Games where a player scored at least 40 or more from 2005 to 2010. Kobe had 64 of them.

Most of Kobe's best performances came during these seasons.

Also from 2005 to 2010.

There has only been a total of 6 Games where a player scored at least 60 or more from 2005 to 2010. Kobe had 5 of the 6.

Gilbert Arenas had the other one, who happened to drop it on Kobe's Lakers.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200612170LAL.html

The Funny thing was Kobe actually played a hell of a good game too.

45 Points 8 Rebounds 10 Assists on 15fg/24fga(63%) 7/11(64%) on 3 pointers

The Difference between the 2 came at the free throw line that game.

Kobe shot 8/10 at the line.
Arenas shot 21/27 at the line.

[ILLsmak]

Yeah Kobe's prime was probably 2000-01 to 06-07 more like it. I don't understand why people start Kobe's prime when Shaq left when he was definitely being mentioned as the best player in the game (especially if you discount Shaq) in 2000-01.

He was past his prime when he won his last two rings. That doesn't mean that he didn't lead his team to the championship, but come on. Are you guys blind? Did you forget how good Kobe was? He's not even close to that good anymore. He's gotten injuries and all that, too. I'd say he's roughly 75% of the player he was in his prime.

-Smak

[macpierce]

yes he averages the same amount of points lol, illsmak youre clearly wrong, kobe has lost athleticism but his overall skill is still there and that is why he is still so consistent as he has gotten older
he's not vince carter (cheapshot)

[LeFraud Shames]

Kobe's a really great player. Is he a LEGEND who changed the game in any significant way? No, but he was awesome for the second half of the decade. Not too shabby at all.


No, Kobe isn't a legend right now, but in a few years from now there is no doubt in my mind that his legacy will reach Legendary status.


There is arguably not a single player, past or present, that has displayed the work ethic that Kobe has displayed in his 15+ years in the NBA, and the evolution of his game ALONE should cement his legacy as a Legend.

[Ikill]

Kobe's was out of his prime last year and started declining in 2009 so i don't what your talking about.

[Ikill]

Yeah Kobe's prime was probably 2000-01 to 06-07 more like it. I don't understand why people start Kobe's prime when Shaq left when he was definitely being mentioned as the best player in the game (especially if you discount Shaq) in 2000-01.

He was past his prime when he won his last two rings. That doesn't mean that he didn't lead his team to the championship, but come on. Are you guys blind? Did you forget how good Kobe was? He's not even close to that good anymore. He's gotten injuries and all that, too. I'd say he's roughly 75% of the player he was in his prime.

-Smak
this

[LeFraud Shames]

Kobe's was out of his prime last year and started declining in 2009 so i don't what your talking about.

link?

[Ikill]

link?
Link what the **** are you talking about watch the games Kobe is not as good as he used to be like in 2007 and before that.

[LeFraud Shames]

Link what the **** are you talking about watch the games Kobe is not as good as he used to be like in 2007 and before that.


How about YOU watch a game?

Sure Kobe is not as athletic as he was back in the days, but in terms of skill he is just as good, if not better.

Watching Kobe dissect defenses this year with his court-vision/passing has been much more enjoyable than watching him earlier in his career, dominating with sheer athleticism.

I guess it depends what kind of fan you are though.

I can only hope you mature and grow as a fan the way Kobe has as a player. :rolleyes:

[Ikill]

How about YOU watch a game?

Sure Kobe is not as athletic as he was back in the days, but in terms of skill he is just as good, if not better.

Watching Kobe dissect defenses this year with his court-vision/passing has been much more enjoyable than watching him earlier in his career, dominating with sheer athleticism.

I guess it depends what kind of fan you are though.

I can only hope you mature and grow as a fan the way Kobe has as a player. :rolleyes:
Your acting like i said Kobe is not good he still is but because he lost his athleticism he's not in his prime like a lot of his game was his athleticism. His prime was when he was able to combine his athletic ability with his skills which was 2005-2009. Do really believe he is just as good now as he was in 2007.

[LeFraud Shames]

Your acting like i said Kobe is not good he still is but because he lost his athleticism he's not in his prime like a lot of his game was his athleticism. His prime was when he was able to combine his athletic ability with his skills which was 2005-2009. Do really believe he is just as good now as he was in 2007.


That is the beauty of Kobe's game, in that it evolves every season.

In the past few years he has been able to adjust his game better than he has the previous previous few years, and it's shown with the overall improvement of the players around him.

So although Kobe is not at the peak of his prime, which in my opinion was the 2007 season, he is ultimately a better player now because of the way he impacts the game.

This is just my logic.

[The Iron Fist]

During 2005 to 2010.

Kobe had 64 Games where he scored at least 40+ Points. (105 for his career)
Kobe had 19 Games where he scored at least 50+ Points. (24 for his career)
Kobe had all 5 of his 60+ Points performances during this 5 year stretch.

There were 49 Games where a player scored at least 50 or more from 2005 to 2010. Kobe had 19 of them.

There 392 Games where a player scored at least 40 or more from 2005 to 2010. Kobe had 64 of them.

Most of Kobe's best performances came during these seasons.

I'm almost full!

[Ikill]

That is the beauty of Kobe's game, in that it evolves every season.

In the past few years he has been able to adjust his game better than he has the previous previous few years, and it's shown with the overall improvement of the players around him.

So although Kobe is not at the peak of his prime, which in my opinion was the 2007 season, he is ultimately a better player now because of the way he impacts the game.

This is just my logic.
Yeah that makes sense just to be this good as one of the best players in the NBA after 15 years is just amazing.

[laronprofit9]

There is no other 5 year stretch you could choose in Kobe's career that is better than this one. In terms of combining individual success, team success, statistics, individual importance to team, leadership and on-floor impact, this was Kobe's best period.

2005 to 2010

30ppg/6rpg/5apg on 46%fg/85%ft/35%3p/56%TS Regular Season
30ppg/6rpg/5apg on 47%fg/84%ft/35%3p/57%TS Post-Season

5x All-NBA 1st Team
5x All-Defensive 1st Team
5x All-Star
3x NBA Finals Appearance
2x NBA Champion
1x NBA League MVP
2x NBA Finals MVP
2x Scoring Champion
2x All-Star Game MVP
1x Olympic Gold Medal

64 of his 105 games where he scored 40+ points.
19 of his 24 games where he scored 50+ poits.
All 5 of his 60+ point games.
His career high of 81.
All came during this stretch.

What he did during this time was the closest thing we've seen to what Jordan did from after his first retirement in '95

(I personally don't think we'll see a player the caliber of '91 to '93 Jordan for a very long time).

[Showtime]

pretty impressive, with the exception of his first team defensive selections.

[laronprofit9]

pretty impressive, with the exception of his first team defensive selections.

really his only exceptional years were 2006 and 2008. The others were clearly "earned" by his reputation the other 3.

[thejumpa]

Are we watching the same Kobe? There is no way in hell he's in his prime now. Sure, he's more of a leader and team player, but that's partly due to his declined athleticism and injuries/age. 2002-2007 Kobe on this current Laker team would be very very scary. Sure, his numbers are still up and he can still score in bunches, but it's not the same. His game is not the same. Especially this year. His lift is not there and the same shots that fell in the past are falling for him now. Right now, he's a very smart 1 on 1 player who gets by on being smarter than the defender and being that good. I don't think even he would say he's in his prime right now.

No disrespect OP, but did you watch Kobe in his earlier years? I'm talking early 00's. Not only did he have raw basketball talent and skills, but he was ultra athletic and crisp.

[G-Funk]

To me a player peaks when he's on top physically, with a combination of peaked skills and leadership.

[laronprofit9]

Are we watching the same Kobe? There is no way in hell he's in his prime now. Sure, he's more of a leader and team player, but that's partly due to his declined athleticism and injuries/age. 2002-2007 Kobe on this current Laker team would be very very scary. Sure, his numbers are still up and he can still score in bunches, but it's not the same. His game is not the same. Especially this year. His lift is not there and the same shots that fell in the past are falling for him now. Right now, he's a very smart 1 on 1 player who gets by on being smarter than the defender and being that good. I don't think even he would say he's in his prime right now.

No disrespect OP, but did you watch Kobe in his earlier years? I'm talking early 00's. Not only did he have raw basketball talent and skills, but he was ultra athletic and crisp.

Yep.

2000 to 2003 were Kobe's best individual defensive seasons, and that is where his defensive reputation comes from.

I still included the mid years of 2005 to 2007, which are individually Kobe's best offensive seasons.

I'd prefer 2008 to 2010 Kobe over 2001 to 2003 Kobe.

2003 was his physical peak in terms of athleticism, his best dunks came from that season (Dunk Over Yao, Baseline Windmill on KG and Sprewell, Behind-the-back 360) and that famous 9 straight 40+ streak. He also had career highs in mpg, minutes, games played, total rebounds, rpg, spg, steals, 3p%, and total blocks. He had a ton of highlights that year 42 in one half on Jordan, 12 three pointers one game, list goes on and on...

2001 Kobe, he just broke out this season. I remember he started the season just dropping 30+ point games like nothing on everybody. He mentioned he made 2000 jumpers per day during the summer to get better. He clearly did, however Shaq wasn't too happy, and they fought mid way in the regular season. Kobe got injured, came back and they completed arguably the best playoff run ever in NBA history. I remember blowing out the Spurs by 39 and 29 points back to back as revenge for 1999, which was the most disappointing moments as a Laker fan.

With that said... Kobe won the mvp in 2008, and he was still damn athletic. You saw that Double Pump Reverse Dunk he did against the Hornets right? Its as good as any of "Frobe's" Double Pump Reverse Dunks he did back then. Kobe was light this season, and looked faster than he was in 06 and 07 actually.

2008 Kobe was the closest he's been to Frobe athleticism after 2005. Combine that with his improved and polished skillset, and most of all matured leadership. This was probably Kobe's peak year if you consider maturity, basketball iq, leadership, basketball ability, on-floor impact, and athleticism all put together. I personally rank this as Kobe's best season with a very narrow lead over his 2006 season. Its not all about stats.

2009 and 2010 Kobe were more of the same of 2008 Kobe, but with less athleticism. During the playoffs though, 2008 to 2010 were clearly Kobe's best playoff runs of his career. Which gives them the edge over 2001 to 2003.

Ya he played with Shaq and took some scoring outbursts away from Kobe, but it still can't be denied.

A whopping 64 of Kobe's 105 40+ point games came during 2005 to 2010.

He scored more career points during this 5 year stretch than any other 5 year stretch of his career.

He had no other time in his career where he was both 1st team all nba and 1st team all defense in the same year for 5 consecutive years. If you look at early Kobe he was usually 1st or 2nd team all nba with 2nd team all defense.

He won his mvp and 2 finals mvps during this time period, that should clearly give him an argument here over young Kobe.

What he lacked in athleticism, he more than made up for with improved basketball iq, more polished basketball skills, better leadership, and maturity as a basketball player. He gives you the same production, and higher overall floor impact. Which means he's better during this time.

[ImmortalD24]

Forget last season.. add the 2002-03 season and cut out the injury plagued/rape case year.. It doesn't have to be consecutive years.

Prime:

2002-03
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09

[Horatio33]

his rape prime - Summer 2003.

[laronprofit9]

:rockon:

[EarlTheGoat]

his rape prime - Summer 2003.

Very easy and predictable joke. Which exposes you both as a:

1. blind and irrational hater

2. non funny guy

[JM720]

Very easy and predictable joke. Which exposes you both as a:

1. blind and irrational hater

2. non funny guy

3. White and his sister is ****ing a black guy.

[KenneBell]

Can't say I'm surprised at what he's doing this season. He's going to get better as the year goes on too.

On a per minute basis he might be having his best season yet. In his 15th year. Think about that...

[laronprofit9]

Can't say I'm surprised at what he's doing this season. He's going to get better as the year goes on too.

On a per minute basis he might be having his best season yet. In his 15th year. Think about that...

He's posting up the same stats as 2009 and 2010, but in like 5 less minutes of playing time per game right now.

He's definitely been the very productive.

[laronprofit9]

To me a player peaks when he's on top physically, with a combination of peaked skills and leadership.

That would probably be 2008. But it's really hard to grasp, Kobe doesn't have a stretch of years or a season that really stands out over anything else. Which is why its hard to determine what that time during his career truly is.

[Heilige]

That would probably be 2008. But it's really hard to grasp, Kobe doesn't have a stretch of years or a season that really stands out over anything else. Which is why its hard to determine what that time during his career truly is.


What years/seasons do you feel Michael Jordan was in his physical prime, basketball skills prime and his leadership prime?