Put prime Kobe in the NBA from 1988 to 1993

[sportjames23]

Michael Jordan doesn't exist, but prime Kobe does and takes his place on the Bulls during what would have been MJ's prime years. Is Kobe at any point during those years the best player in the league?

[DonDraper]

12 total playoff wins

[72-10]

This is a cross-era question, and therefore, a foolish comparison to make. But as a guess, it would seem that the answer is no, since a considerably higher percentage of Kobe's scoring output during his highest scoring seasons was generated from the free throw line (the one area where he is at least as good as Jordan other than three-point shooting, which should be discounted here). He reached the foul line in a no hand-checking era and received more preferential treatment from the officials. It is considerably more difficult to score on physical defense.

You seem to just want to compare Kobe to Jordan one more time, though. I think it's been well established at this point that Jordan was a better offensive player, a better defensive player, a better leader, a better team player, more efficient, more consistent, and more driven (somehow).

[Fire Colangelo]

This is a cross-era question, and therefore, a foolish comparison to make. But as a guess, it would seem that the answer is no, since a considerably higher percentage of Kobe's scoring output during his highest scoring seasons was generated from the free throw line (the one area where he is at least as good as Jordan other than three-point shooting, which should be discounted here). He reached the foul line in a no hand-checking era and received more preferential treatment from the officials. It is considerably more difficult to score on physical defense.

You seem to just want to compare Kobe to Jordan one more time, though. I think it's been well established at this point that Jordan was a better offensive player, a better defensive player, a better leader, a better team player, more efficient, more consistent, and more driven (somehow).

What .... the league averaged far more FTs in the 80s and 90s compared to the 00s.

We all know Kobe isn't Jordan, but it wouldn't be crazy to consider prime Kobe a better player than Barkley in 92-93.

[72-10]

The players drove to the hoop a lot more then, ergo accruing more foul shot opportunities on the whole. But they were deserved opportunities. The mid-2000s was wack with the officials' propensity for calling unwarranted fouls against the defense in an effort to recreate scoring machines the likes of Jordan, Shaq and Dominique Wilkins. More scoring = more money for the league. Kobe got more preferential treatment in 2005-06, 2006-07 geared towards scoring than Jordan did at any one point in his career.

[HOoopCityJones]

The players drove to the hoop a lot more then, ergo accruing more foul shot opportunities on the whole. But they were deserved opportunities. The mid-2000s was wack with the officials' propensity for calling unwarranted fouls against the defense in an effort to recreate scoring machines the likes of Jordan, Shaq and Dominique Wilkins. More scoring = more money for the league. Kobe got more preferential treatment in 2005-06, 2006-07 geared towards scoring than Jordan did at any one point in his career.

:rolleyes:

No player in history had more ref help and appreciation than Micheal Jeffery Jordan.

[72-10]

:rolleyes:

No player in history had more ref help and appreciation than Micheal Jeffery Jordan.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/fta_game.html

Kobe did not drive as much. Kobe did not face physical defenses. Conclusion: Kobe received more preferential treatment from the refs.

[HOoopCityJones]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/fta_game.html

Kobe did not drive as much. Kobe did not face physical defenses. Conclusion: Kobe received more preferential treatment from the refs.

Early 00's Spurs, 04 Pistons and 08 Celtics say hi.


How much are you winging this convo right now? :oldlol:

[He Strong]

No, and 0 championships.

[72-10]

Early 00's Spurs, 04 Pistons and 08 Celtics say hi.


How much are you winging this convo right now? :oldlol:

Wow, two of those teams are Eastern Conference, he faced them twice a season. As I recall Kobe did horribly against the Pistons: http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2004-nba-finals-pistons-vs-lakers.html

http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2008-nba-finals-lakers-vs-celtics.html

yep, 38% shooting against the Pistons and 40% against the Celtics. He didn't light them up.

[HOoopCityJones]

Wow, two of those teams are Eastern Conference, he faced them twice a season. As I recall Kobe did horribly against the Pistons: http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2004-nba-finals-pistons-vs-lakers.html

http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2008-nba-finals-lakers-vs-celtics.html

yep, 38% shooting against the Pistons and 40% against the Celtics. He didn't light them up.


All THREE physical defensive Teams. So ergo , you're wrong.

[Angel Face]

Which player does he copy his game tho? :confusedshrug:

[72-10]

All THREE physical defensive Teams. So ergo , you're wrong.

You think so? They weren't physical like the teams of the 80s and 90s were. They weren't the Pistons or Knicks. And Kobe's teams lost to all three of these teams. And Kobe did not do well against these teams. I think it's pretty clear that he wouldn't have done nearly as well in the Jordan era.

[ShawkFactory]

Yes. Peak Kobe would be the best player in the game.

[HOoopCityJones]

You think so? They weren't physical like the teams of the 80s and 90s were. They weren't the Pistons or Knicks. And Kobe's teams lost to all three of these teams. And Kobe did not do well against these teams. I think it's pretty clear that he wouldn't have done nearly as well in the Jordan era.


https://youtu.be/qawbo3NOmR4

Best Defense in the league at that time.

One question how do stats and metrics let you know how physical these Teams were? Despite what people think, the 00's were just as gritty as the 90's until about the year after The Malace happened.

[72-10]

https://youtu.be/qawbo3NOmR4

Best Defense in the league at that time.

One question how do stats and metrics let you know how physical these Teams were? Despite what people think, the 00's were just as gritty as the 90's until about the year after The Malace happened.

They don't, but we all know that the 2004 Pistons and the 2008 Celtics were the best defenses during their respective short-lived times of dominance. Kind of like the Pistons and Knicks were along with Jordan's Bulls.

https://cinema1544.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/jack-black.jpg

[TheBigVeto]

Michael Jordan doesn't exist, but prime Kobe does and takes his place on the Bulls during what would have been MJ's prime years. Is Kobe at any point during those years the best player in the league?

No.