Popovich: "There is No Defense for Kobe"

[eliteballer]

Despite his respect for Bryant, Popovich expressed relief in not having to face Bryant again. He called preparing for the 18-time All-Star “a lot scarier” than vice-versa, saying “there’s really no defense” for his ability to rise up for a jumper over any type of coverage thrown at him.

“The final fear was, even if we did that, he’s gonna rise up and still get that shot off,” Popovich said. “And he did that against a lot of people, including us many times.”

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/160219_popovichbryant?cid=fb

Guess its a little different when Wade and James are bricking shots outside 10 feet:roll:

[bigkingsfan]

Best defense : Let him shoot

[72-10]

I wonder how Kobe would fare against a physical defense, like one from before the era in which Kobe played.

[eliteballer]

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/160219_popovichbryant?cid=fb

Guess its a little different when Wade and James are bricking shots outside 10 feet:roll:

Surprising answer considering how Kobe smoked the Kings throughout his career.

[eliteballer]

I wonder how Kobe would fare against a physical defense, like one from before the era in which Kobe played.

Defenses were never more physical than they were from 97-04.

[72-10]

Defenses were never more physical than they were from 97-04.

:facepalm Someone get this guy a Coke.

[RRR3]

Kobe: 14270 bricks

LeBron and Wade COMBINED: 17062 bricks



This isn't even counting playoffs

[TheMarkMadsen]

Kobe: 14270 bricks

LeBron and Wade COMBINED: 17062 bricks



This isn't even counting playoffs


**great/respected coach compliments Kobe**

QUICK THINK OF SOMETHING TO DEFLECT WITH, BRING UP LEBRON!!

[SouBeachTalents]

**great/respected coach compliments Kobe**

QUICK THINK OF SOMETHING TO DEFLECT WITH, BRING UP LEBRON!!

Lol, it's not like it was out of the blue, OP specifically mentioned LeBron & Wade "bricking shots"

[warriorfan]

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/160219_popovichbryant?cid=fb

Guess its a little different when Wade and James are bricking shots outside 10 feet:roll:

That is why Bryant is better than 2009 LeBron and 2009 Wade. Even if LeBron has better stats he still has flaws in his game that will get exposed in a 7 game series by well coached teams that play good defense. Kobe doesn't have those types of major vulnerabilities.

[RRR3]

**great/respected coach compliments Kobe**

QUICK THINK OF SOMETHING TO DEFLECT WITH, BRING UP LEBRON!!
I didn't bring up LeBron, the OP did. Try again

[TheMarkMadsen]

Lol, it's not like it was out of the blue, OP specifically mentioned LeBron & Wade "bricking shots"


weird I don't remember anything about total missed shots, just a great coach praising Kobe and then the insecurities took over :confusedshrug: :confusedshrug:

[Young X]

Still has nightmares of what Kobe did to them in 2001.

[TheMarkMadsen]

[QUOTE]

[outbreak]

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/2-20-2016/iGm2qB.gif

[72-10]

Well he certainly could create his own shot better than most. The problem is that he didn't make it a lot of the time.

[HOoopCityJones]

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/2-20-2016/iGm2qB.gif

No chill in this post. :roll:

[Milbuck]

Kobe against the Spurs in the playoffs (30 games): 28/6/5 on 54% TS, 3.3 TOV

Lebron against the Spurs in the playoffs (16 games): 25/9/6 on 54% TS, 3.8 TOV

Wade against the Spurs in the playoffs (12 games): 18/4/4 on 51% TS, 2.8 TOV

[eliteballer]

Kobe against the Spurs in the playoffs (30 games): 28/6/5 on 54% TS, 3.3 TOV

Lebron against the Spurs in the playoffs (16 games): 25/9/6 on 54% TS, 3.8 TOV

Wade against the Spurs in the playoffs (12 games): 18/4/4 on 51% TS, 2.8 TOV


You forgot to mention:

1. Kobe played a ton of series against the Spurs when he was in his early 20's, not his prime like Bron and Wade.

2. Those series were also in a tougher defensive era.

3. Bron was racking up numbers in garbage time in a bunch of those finals games.

4. Kobe wasn't playing against a Spurs team with an ancient Duncan, and the teams he played also had Robinson helping to close the paint.

5. Kobe wasn't playing on the most stacked team ever.

[GrapeApe]

Kobe against the Spurs in the playoffs (30 games): 28/6/5 on 54% TS, 3.3 TOV

Lebron against the Spurs in the playoffs (16 games): 25/9/6 on 54% TS, 3.8 TOV

Wade against the Spurs in the playoffs (12 games): 18/4/4 on 51% TS, 2.8 TOV

In fairness to Wade, he never faced the Spurs in the playoffs in his prime so of course his numbers are going to be worse than the other 2.

[72-10]

Kobe did well against the Kings in 2001, but actually, in the infamous 2002 WCF he shot a Kobe-like 42%.

[72-10]

You forgot to mention:

1. Kobe played a ton of series against the Spurs when he was in his early 20's, not his prime like Bron and Wade.

2. Those series were also in a tougher defensive era.

3. Bron was racking up numbers in garbage time in a bunch of those finals games.

4. Kobe wasn't playing against a Spurs team with an ancient Duncan, and the teams he played also had Robinson helping to close the paint.

5. Kobe wasn't playing on the most stacked team ever.


You seem to have forgotten: he played with Shaq. Shaq was double and tripled teamed. That means that Kobe got open looks.

[!@#$%Vectors!@#]

Kobe against the Spurs in the playoffs (30 games): 28/6/5 on 54% TS, 3.3 TOV

Lebron against the Spurs in the playoffs (16 games): 25/9/6 on 54% TS, 3.8 TOV

Wade against the Spurs in the playoffs (12 games): 18/4/4 on 51% TS, 2.8 TOV

Prime Kobe is basically a Spur Killer.

[!@#$%Vectors!@#]

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/2-20-2016/iGm2qB.gif

Photoshops spurs or Pop face on the girl.

[Real Men Wear Green]

It's kind of true in that vs. 99.9% of defenders if he just rose up and shot the defense wasn't going to have a large effect on the outcome, make or miss. But that's a double-edged sword because it normally wasn't the best option. I'd give him that contested jumper over him attacking the basket and back when he played with Shaq him taking that jumper instead of pounding it inside was almost like a victory for the defense. Also, I recall Tayshaun Prince giving him a hard time in the Finals and wonder what would have happened if prime Bryant was defended by Kawhi Leonard or early-'90s Pippen. I can't think of many guys that might be able to give him major problems but I've never felt that he was just completely unstoppable the way MJ was or Steph Curry and Kevin Durant currently are. Those three are the only perimeter players I feel strongly are better scorers though. Maybe also McGrady at is best, unfortunately McGrady'speak was cut short prematurely.

Bryant is like the NBA record book's answer to Brett Favre: He's all over it, both good and bad. The same guy that scored 81 points in one game also set the record for misses in a game (30, vs the Celtics, being defended by Paul Pierce, I have to mention, heh). What I respect about him the most is that he was/is competitive enough to try and take over every game he played in and wanted the ball whenever there was an opportunity for a big shot. There are a few guys that were just as competitive and there were a few better scorers but there's no one that we can really be sure was more competitive or had more desire. Sure, he's missed more shots than anyone. He also has five rings. Who doesn't take that trade-off?

[GrapeApe]

You forgot to mention:

1. Kobe played a ton of series against the Spurs when he was in his early 20's, not his prime like Bron and Wade.

2. Those series were also in a tougher defensive era.

3. Bron was racking up numbers in garbage time in a bunch of those finals games.

4. Kobe wasn't playing against a Spurs team with an ancient Duncan, and the teams he played also had Robinson helping to close the paint.

5. Kobe wasn't playing on the most stacked team ever.

Wade never faced the Spurs in his prime. Wade's prime was from 2005-2012. I suppose you could also add the 2013 regular season, but his prime effectively ended when he suffered the bone bruise before the playoffs.

[72-10]

It's kind of true in that vs. 99.9% of defenders if he just rose up and shot the defense wasn't going to have a large effect on the outcome, make or miss. But that's a double-edged sword because it normally wasn't the best option. I'd give him that contested jumper over him attacking the basket and back when he played with Shaq him taking that jumper instead of pounding it inside was almost like a victory for the defense. Also, I recall Tayshaun Prince giving him a hard time in the Finals and wonder what would have happened if prime Bryant was defended by Kawhi Leonard or early-'90s Pippen. I can't think of many guys that might be able to give him major problems but I've never felt that he was just completely unstoppable the way MJ was or Steph Curry and Kevin Durant currently are. Those three are the only perimeter players I feel strongly are better scorers though. Maybe also McGrady at is best, unfortunately McGrady'speak was cut short prematurely.

Bryant is like the NBA record book's answer to Brett Favre: He's all over it, both good and bad. The same guy that scored 81 points in one game also set the record for misses in a game (30, vs the Celtics, being defended by Paul Pierce, I have to mention, heh). What I respect about him the most is that he was/is competitive enough to try and take over every game he played in and wanted the ball whenever there was an opportunity for a big shot. There are a few guys that were just as competitive and there were a few better scorers but there's no one that we can really be sure was more competitive or had more desire. Sure, he's missed more shots than anyone. He also has five rings. Who doesn't take that trade-off?

I think most people would call that selfishness. It is a team game.

[TheMarkMadsen]

people really underestimate how demoralizing it is on defenders when a player just rises up against great defense and makes the shot. It kills their confidence.

When a guy like Curry hits those crazy contested threes just look at the defenders reaction, they'll look down, shrug their shoulders and mentally is is just exhausting to be playing lock down defensive while your opponent is still getting buckets.

Kobe had that effect on defenses and did it an elite level like only 1 or 2 other players in history could

[Real Men Wear Green]

I think most people would call that selfishness. It is a team game.
And his team won 5 rings. I guarantee the Lakers don't regret his selfishness. Sure, he wasn't perfect but teams need guys that want to score. Most great scorers could be described as selfish. It's just part of the game and part of the make-up of a large number of great players.

[TheMarkMadsen]

You seem to have forgotten: he played with Shaq. Shaq was double and tripled teamed. That means that Kobe got open looks.


it goes both ways, Kobe drew double teams too and opened up the floor for Shaq a lot. Phil Jackson called Kobe the greatest facilitator he had ever coached.

Kobes #'s w/o Shaq in the playoffs are better than his numbers with Shaq, his efficiency without Shaq was better than with Shaq. Give Kobe credit for what he did..

[knicksman]

But these bran stans know more about basketball than pop. Lol

[eliteballer]

Wade never faced the Spurs in his prime. Wade's prime was from 2005-2012. I suppose you could also add the 2013 regular season, but his prime effectively ended when he suffered the bone bruise before the playoffs.

Pretty irrelevant when a middle-aged Duncan was manning the post.

[72-10]

it goes both ways, Kobe drew double teams too and opened up the floor for Shaq a lot. Phil Jackson called Kobe the greatest facilitator he had ever coached.

Kobes #'s w/o Shaq in the playoffs are better than his numbers with Shaq, his efficiency without Shaq was better than with Shaq. Give Kobe credit for what he did..

That was before Kobe had refined his skill set; he was not as good of a player yet.

[sportjames23]

Best defense : Let him shoot


Spurs tested this out on Lebron first.

[72-10]

And his team won 5 rings. I guarantee the Lakers don't regret his selfishness. Sure, he wasn't perfect but teams need guys that want to score. Most great scorers could be described as selfish. It's just part of the game and part of the make-up of a large number of great players.

The Lakers were basically saved several times by Shaq.

[sportjames23]

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/2-20-2016/iGm2qB.gif


:roll: :roll: :roll:

[TheMarkMadsen]

That was before Kobe had refined his skill set; he was not as good of a player yet.

so what are you trying to say? That all of Kobe's # were because of Shaq? Kobe never got doubled?

Not sure why you're trying to discredit Kobe's success against the Spurs because of Shaq? Shaq put up the same #'s in 01 against the spurs that he did in 99, the difference from when they actually won against the spurs was Kobe.

33/7/7 on 51% in the 01 WCF.

he was able to put up better numbers without Shaq, yet people like you still act like his numbers were based off of Shaq, and that it was all Shaq's attention drawing that allowed Kobe to put up great numbers. Even though he was able to put up better stats while still winning without Shaq.. The facts are staring you in the face yet you refuse to acknowledge them.

[TheMarkMadsen]

The Lakers were basically saved several times by Shaq.


Kobe led the entire NBA in 4th quarter playoff scoring in both 2001 and 2002

he was the unquestioned closer of that team

[72-10]

so what are you trying to say? That all of Kobe's # were because of Shaq? Kobe never got doubled?

Not sure why you're trying to discredit Kobe's success against the Spurs because of Shaq? Shaq put up the same #'s in 01 against the spurs that he did in 99, the difference from when they actually won against the spurs was Kobe.

33/7/7 on 51% in the 01 WCF.

Kobe was doubled a little bit. Anyways, this deviates from the thread topic, which I implicitly answered. Yes, I think any really physical defense (like the ones I've seen from the 80s and 90s) would give Kobe problems and prevent him from winning championships.

[72-10]

Kobe led the entire NBA in 4th quarter playoff scoring in both 2001 and 2002

he was the unquestioned closer of that team

How much did he lead by in shot attempts?

[HOoopCityJones]

How much did he lead by in shot attempts?

That's so irrelevant it's not even funny. :facepalm

[72-10]

That's so irrelevant it's not even funny. :facepalm

No, it's not. I would like to know what his efficiency was. He's consistently inefficient.

[TheMarkMadsen]

How much did he lead by in shot attempts?


he was 6th in 2nd half FGA for the 01 playoffs and still led the entire NBA in 2nd half scoring

He was 3rd in 2nd half FGA for the 02 playoffs and still led the entire NBA in 2nd half scoring.

sorry if that wasn't what you were hoping for

[72-10]

he was 6th in 2nd half FGA for the 01 playoffs and still led the entire NBA in 2nd half scoring

He was 3rd in 2nd half FGA for the 02 playoffs and still led the entire NBA in 2nd half scoring.

sorry if that wasn't what you were hoping for

Must have been the zillion free throws the Lakers received in those years.

[TheMarkMadsen]

here are his FG% for those 2 playoffs in the second half

2001 = 50%

2002 = 45%




I would like to know what his efficiency was. He's consistently inefficient.

you were saying?

[72-10]

here are his FG% for those 2 playoffs in the second half

2001 = 50%

2002 = 45%





you were saying?

I'm a little confused here. Do you think that only half of the game counts?

[TheMarkMadsen]

I'm a little confused here. Do you think that only half of the game counts?

:wtf: You asked for his FGA and efficiency #'s for the 2nd halfs when he led the nba in playoff scoring for both 01 and 02

I gave you exactly what you asked for

sorry that those numbers came back and smacked you in the face

:roll:

[72-10]

Selected games from Kobe's 2002 playoff campaign

5-21
8-24
10-28
10-27
6-16
11-29
10-26
9-21

You can stop Kobe from scoring. You can't stop him from shooting.

[Wade's Rings]

You forgot to mention:

1. Kobe played a ton of series against the Spurs when he was in his early 20's, not his prime like Bron and Wade.

Wade never played the Spurs in his Prime :biggums:

Also, Wade has played pretty well vs the Spurs throughout his Career especially in his Prime.

[72-10]

:wtf: You asked for his FGA and efficiency #'s for the 2nd halfs when he led the nba in playoff scoring for both 01 and 02

I gave you exactly what you asked for

sorry that those numbers came back and smacked you in the face

:roll:

No. Actually, you said 4th quarter scoring for 2002. Not 2nd half scoring for both 2001 and 2002. Where are you pulling all of your stats from anyhow?

[raprap]

12thbe doesn't scare anyone. :oldlol: pop is a troll

[GrapeApe]

And his team won 5 rings. I guarantee the Lakers don't regret his selfishness. Sure, he wasn't perfect but teams need guys that want to score. Most great scorers could be described as selfish. It's just part of the game and part of the make-up of a large number of great players.

I don't think great scorers like Kobe are necessarily selfish, they are just supremely confident in their ability. In their minds they are more likely to score than their teammates, so it's completely justifiable to take a high volume of shots. Another thing all great scorers have in common is they are not phased by missed shots. There's certainly players who ARE selfish and only care about getting theirs, but that's not the case with guys like Kobe, Jordan, Wade, Lebron, etc...Those guys take a lot of shots because they feel like it gives their team the best chance to win.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Kobe Bryant 4th quarter scoring in the 2001 and 2002 playoffs

2001 = 8ppg (led league) on 49% (12th in FGA per 4th quarter)

2002 = 8ppg (led the league) on 49% FG, 50% from 3 (2nd in FGA per 4th quarter)

[72-10]

I don't think great scorers like Kobe are necessarily selfish, they are just supremely confident in their ability. In their minds they are more likely to score than their teammates, so it's completely justifiable to take a high volume of shots. Another thing all great scorers have in common is they are not phased by missed shots. There's certainly players who ARE selfish and only care about getting theirs, but that's not the case with guys like Kobe, Jordan, Wade, Lebron, etc...Those guys take a lot of shots because they feel like it gives their team the best chance to win.

:lol

[knicksman]

12thbe doesn't scare anyone. :oldlol: pop is a troll

Yeah. Id rather have a guy who cant shoot despite being given 5 ft over a guy who shoots against 2 defenders. A guy whos 2/6 over 5/7.:lol

[GrapeApe]

Yeah. Id rather have a guy who cant shoot despite being given 5 ft over a guy who shoots against 2 defenders. A guy whos 2/6 over 5/7.:lol

I'd rather have a guy who doesn't shoot against 2 defenders and instead gets a high% shot or finds the open teammate. 27.2 ppg, 58%TS, 6.9 apg vs 25.1 ppg, 55%TS and 4.7 apg. Yeah, give me the first one.

[Real Men Wear Green]

The Lakers were basically saved several times by Shaq.Shaq was the best player for the three-peat but it's not like Bryant was constantly shooting them into deficits that Shaq brought them back from. Bryant was an overwhelmingly positive factor for them.
I don't think great scorers like Kobe are necessarily selfish, they are just supremely confident in their ability. In their minds they are more likely to score than their teammates, so it's completely justifiable to take a high volume of shots. Another thing all great scorers have in common is they are not phased by missed shots. There's certainly players who ARE selfish and only care about getting theirs, but that's not the case with guys like Kobe, Jordan, Wade, Lebron, etc...Those guys take a lot of shots because they feel like it gives their team the best chance to win.
The reason Bryant was the scorer he was is that he wanted to score. He loved and loves to shoot. That's why his game developed the way it did, because ever since he was a child he practiced various shots, moves to get open to shoot, etc. It was all by design, and that's the case with every skilled scorer. Sure they're confident and think that they give their teams the best chance to win but it originates with that "selfish" desire to score the basketball.

[ArbitraryWater]

I agree, there was just too little evidence for his claim, plus he lied to the prosecutors.

[ArbitraryWater]

Real Men Wear Green so smart and unbiased calling Kobe by his surname

[Cold soul]

It's kind of true in that vs. 99.9% of defenders if he just rose up and shot the defense wasn't going to have a large effect on the outcome, make or miss. But that's a double-edged sword because it normally wasn't the best option. I'd give him that contested jumper over him attacking the basket and back when he played with Shaq him taking that jumper instead of pounding it inside was almost like a victory for the defense. Also, I recall Tayshaun Prince giving him a hard time in the Finals and wonder what would have happened if prime Bryant was defended by Kawhi Leonard or early-'90s Pippen. I can't think of many guys that might be able to give him major problems but I've never felt that he was just completely unstoppable the way MJ was or Steph Curry and Kevin Durant currently are. Those three are the only perimeter players I feel strongly are better scorers though. Maybe also McGrady at is best, unfortunately McGrady'speak was cut short prematurely.

Bryant is like the NBA record book's answer to Brett Favre: He's all over it, both good and bad. The same guy that scored 81 points in one game also set the record for misses in a game (30, vs the Celtics, being defended by Paul Pierce, I have to mention, heh). What I respect about him the most is that he was/is competitive enough to try and take over every game he played in and wanted the ball whenever there was an opportunity for a big shot. There are a few guys that were just as competitive and there were a few better scorers but there's no one that we can really be sure was more competitive or had more desire. Sure, he's missed more shots than anyone. He also has five rings. Who doesn't take that trade-off?


I just don't know why people always compare Kobe to Favre when in reality Favre isn't even close to same player Kobe was in his respected sport he never dominated at that level neither won close like Kobe did. Favre was playoff choker that always threw INT at worst possible time imaginable cost his teams several rings the only area you could say Kobe was Favre like with his decision making and ego. Kobe in the zone is much more unstoppable player to guard and defend than either Curry or Durant he is better pure scorer as well. Durant more constent in game by game basics when comes to scoring than Kobe and is better shooter sure. Kobe gets underrated by some people forget how great he was in his prime, he was Jordan lite.

[knicksman]

I'd rather have a guy who doesn't shoot against 2 defenders and instead gets a high% shot or finds the open teammate. 27.2 ppg, 58%TS, 6.9 apg vs 25.1 ppg, 55%TS and 4.7 apg. Yeah, give me the first one.


Meh. Those high% shots arent available once the game tightens. Teams will force you to take tough shots. And this is where the kobes shine and the brans disappear. If a guy could do it against 2 defenders then he could surely do it against 1. Thats why kobe is a spur killer coz no defense could take him down while bran gets stopped easily by the same team. And thats the main reason for 5/7 and 2/6

[coin24]

Look at all the bran stains tears :lol

Respected coaches and players all giving praise to Kobe and you f@gs are on here crying about fg%:lol

That's why he's a 5 time champion and your hero is a 4 inch 2/6er:cheers:

[keep-itreal]

Kobe = #1 Spurs Killer

[Shih508]

Kobe Bryant 4th quarter scoring in the 2001 and 2002 playoffs

2001 = 8ppg (led league) on 49% (12th in FGA per 4th quarter)

2002 = 8ppg (led the league) on 49% FG, 50% from 3 (2nd in FGA per 4th quarter)

You know the main guys like Shaq AI or Timmy always played full 3rd quarter and rest at least for first 4-6min for the 4th quarter? Only 2nd fiddle like Kobe played 10-12min for 4th quarter that's why he had highest average. half of time was against bench players lmao

[imnew09]

You know the main guys like Shaq AI or Timmy always played full 3rd quarter and rest at least for first 4-6min for the 4th quarter? Only 2nd fiddle like Kobe played 10-12min for 4th quarter that's why he had highest average. half of time was against bench players lmao


you're dumb af :facepalm Shaq and Timmy ALWAYS playing full 3rd quarter? :lol :lol :lol Go suck a d*c*.


KOBE :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[bballnoob1192]

well Kobe does routinely shit on the spurs in his career. I'd say it's the one team he has played his best ball against.

[Heavincent]

Defenses were always terrified of Kobe. At least the good defenses were. Single coverage against Kobe was a death sentence when he was in his prime.

[AirFederer]

If Pop was talking about Colorado he was wrong

[Cold soul]

Kobe is well known as Spur killer nobody he quite played as well against them than him. Pop and company still have nightmares after what Kobe did against them in playoffs 01/08.