2003 Kobe was Jordan/LeBron Like

[AngelEyes]

Athletically speaking that it is. After watching Kobe over the course of his career the 02-03 season always stood out to me as an outlier Kobe season. He appeared noticeably more athletic and explosive that season compared to just about any season of his career. His explosion near the basket that season was Jordan/LeBron like, instead of evading 7 footers he was going through them and dunking on them. Kobe was never my favorite player but that was one of the most spectacular seasons I can recall seeing from a player.

[kennethgriffen]

people always overlook kobes injuries/surgeries that robbed him of that 2003 athleticism


the fact that he had his best years in 2006/07/08/09 just shows how much his skill went into another stratosphere


give 2006 kobe 2003 athleticism and he scores 100 with ease


that combo in todays nba wouldn't even be fair

[SouBeachTalents]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UErgNl-rfI

[Dray n Klay]

people always overlook kobes injuries/surgeries that robbed him of that 2003 athleticism


the fact that he had his best years in 2006/07/08/09 just shows how much his skill went into another stratosphere


give 2006 kobe 2003 athleticism and he scores 100 with ease


that combo in todays nba wouldn't even be fair

30 point triple doubles?

[SouBeachTalents]

30 point triple doubles?
https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200211010LAC.html
https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200211030LAL.html

[305Baller]

Nice. Whos got skills closest to this today? Luca? George?

[AngelEyes]

Nice. Whos got skills closest to this today? Luca? George?

Probably Paul George and KD. But neither one has the array of moves that Bryant had and I don't think either one is quite as athletic as that version of Kobe. Also, those two guys have the size advantage on Kobe but they're not as acrobatic.

[kennethgriffen]

30 point triple doubles?

shut up jeff

[Phoenix]

To this day I think this was Kobe's best across the board season. 30ppg, 7rpg, 6apg, 2spg and 1bpg rounded numbers. Obviously scored more in 2006 but the other numbers weren't the same.

[kennethgriffen]

To this day I think this was Kobe's best across the board season. 30ppg, 7rpg, 6apg, 2spg and 1bpg rounded numbers. Obviously scored more in 2006 but the other numbers weren't the same.


IMO kobe at his absolute best wasn't 2006 either

it was 2007


the year he had more 50+ games in 1 week than larry bird had in 13 years


and nearly as many total 50+ games in 1 season as lebrons had in 16 years


this was just a different level of scoring ability the likes of which haven't been seen since


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpWAyV-S7P0

[SouBeachTalents]

IMO kobe at his absolute best wasn't 2006 either

it was 2007


the year he had more 50+ games in 1 week than larry bird had in 13 years


and nearly as many total 50+ games in 1 season as lebrons had in 16 years


this was just a different level of scoring ability the likes of which haven't been seen since


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpWAyV-S7P0
What do you have as his best playoff run? You could make great arguments for '01, '08 & '09

[Phoenix]

IMO kobe at his absolute best wasn't 2006 either

it was 2007


the year he had more 50+ games in 1 week than larry bird had in 13 years


and nearly as many total 50+ games in 1 season as lebrons had in 16 years


this was just a different level of scoring ability the likes of which haven't been seen since


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpWAyV-S7P0

Well I wasn't making the argument about 2006 being his best outside of 2003 either, people get infatuated with the 35ppg and 81 point numbers that pop off the page and that's the year they always recall so that's why I mentioned it. He was a healthier, more spry and athletic talent in 2003 on both sides.

[Phoenix]

What do you have as his best playoff run? You could make great arguments for '01, '08 & '09

You could go with 2001 for what he did in the Western conference gauntlet( didn't have a great finals) as a scorer/facilitator/defender, or 2009 considering he was able to close the deal as opposed to getting blown off the floor by Boston to close the 2008 finals. I don't think you could go wrong with either one, really.

[sammichoffate]

2003 is definitely one of his underrated years along with 07, which is crazy. He's known more for 01, 06, and 09.

[SamuraiSWISH]

people always overlook kobes injuries/surgeries that robbed him of that 2003 athleticism


the fact that he had his best years in 2006/07/08/09 just shows how much his skill went into another stratosphere


give 2006 kobe 2003 athleticism and he scores 100 with ease


that combo in todays nba wouldn't even be fair
So Kobe

[kennethgriffen]

What do you have as his best playoff run? You could make great arguments for '01, '08 & '09


01 easly



nothing beats a 15-1 all time record GOAT postseason by a 22 year old or younger in history

[ClipperRevival]

You could go with 2001 for what he did in the Western conference gauntlet( didn't have a great finals) as a scorer/facilitator/defender, or 2009 considering he was able to close the deal as opposed to getting blown off the floor by Boston to close the 2008 finals. I don't think you could go wrong with either one, really.

I always judge the role you had. Kobe put up "the man" type numbers in 2001 but he still had MDE that teams game planned for.

For me, it's 2009 and I think by a solid tier. He was "the man" so teams focused on him. And he was masterful at knowing when to get teammates involved and when to take over offensively. Just constantly trying to find that balance because a guy like Kobe can get his anytime. But to win, he had to find that balance. That team went 65-17. And in the playoffs, he was masterful. Close to 2nd 3peat MJ imo. Clutch as hell.

[Dray n Klay]

01 easly



nothing beats a 15-1 all time record GOAT postseason by a 22 year old or younger in history

24ppg on 40% in the Finals and no FMVP? Seriously? :lol

[kennethgriffen]

24ppg on 40% in the Finals and no FMVP? Seriously? :lol


shut up jeff

[ClipperRevival]

You could go with 2001 for what he did in the Western conference gauntlet( didn't have a great finals) as a scorer/facilitator/defender, or 2009 considering he was able to close the deal as opposed to getting blown off the floor by Boston to close the 2008 finals. I don't think you could go wrong with either one, really.

And like you said, didn't have a great finals in 2001. Not the be all, end all factor but for it to be your GOAT playoff run, you should be the one closing the deal. 2009 finals, Kobe put on a show. And was also AMAZING in the WCF against Denver. His level kept rising as the stakes got higher.

[Dray n Klay]

And like you said, didn't have a great finals in 2001. Not the be all, end all factor but for it to be your GOAT playoff run, you should be the one closing the deal. 2009 finals, Kobe put on a show. And was also AMAZING in the WCF against Denver. His level kept rising as the stakes got higher.

Why did Jordan miss the playoffs in his 14th and 15th seasons

[kennethgriffen]

Why did Jordan miss the playoffs in his 14th and 15th seasons


nobody cares

[Phoenix]

I always judge the role you had. Kobe put up "the man" type numbers in 2001 but he still had MDE that teams game planned for.

For me, it's 2009 and I think by a solid tier. He was "the man" so teams focused on him. And he was masterful at knowing when to get teammates involved and when to take over offensively. Just constantly trying to find that balance because a guy like Kobe can get his anytime. But to win, he had to find that balance. That team went 65-17. And in the playoffs, he was masterful. Close to 2nd 3peat MJ imo. Clutch as hell.

I wouldn't argue with that logic. Though even with Shaq in tow in 2001, it was Kobe who was picking apart the Spurs defense and receiving lots of defensive attention doing so. I'm kind of weighing level of competition into this but if you want to apply the 'he was the man' angle in 2009, that's fine too.

[Phoenix]

nobody cares

Considering the question had absolutely no bearing on what he was quoting, why even bother? I mean when the lights go out on this forum you'll know dude went out back and shot himself old yeller style.

[ClipperRevival]

I wouldn't argue with that logic. Though even with Shaq in tow in 2001, it was Kobe who was picking apart the Spurs defense and receiving lots of defensive attention doing so. I'm kind of weighing level of competition into this but if you want to apply the 'he was the man' angle in 2009, that's fine too.

Level of comp was unreal in 2001 for sure. Definitely a factor too. And Kobe was at his best against the top teams of the WC, which pretty much was the real finals. Also was more athletic and better defender. It's a good argument but like I said, nothing beats being "the man" and carrying that burden.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Considering the question had absolutely no bearing on what he was quoting, why even bother? I mean when the lights go out on this forum you'll know dude went out back and shot himself old yeller style.
Dudes having a perpetual meltdown about this whole LA-Bron not making the playoffs situation at the tail end of his prime in a conference that is finally competition.

[Phoenix]

Level of comp was unreal in 2001 for sure. Definitely a factor too. And Kobe was at his best against the top teams of the WC, which pretty much was the real finals. Also was more athletic and better defender. It's a good argument but like I said, nothing beats being "the man" and carrying that burden.

Yeah, if pushed I'd probably lean 2009 as well. Mostly I'm saying you could create good arguments for either year based on what angle you wanted to push.

[Mr.GOAT2408]

2008 Kobe was peak Kobe

2009 is slightly below

Than any order of 2010, 2006, 2007

2003 and 2001 are next, 2003 was definitely his athletic peak but 06-10 Kobe was on a higher level imo

[SamuraiSWISH]

2003 and 2006 were his most impressive individual marvel seasons.

2009 his greatest season probably in general from start to finish and more importantly as a leader.

65-17
Reg: 27/5/5
All NBA First Team
1st Team Defense
Playoff: 30/5/6
Champion
Finals MVP - 32/6/7

2008 would

[Mr.GOAT2408]

It's a toss-up honestly, I give 08 the nod because that supporting cast was worse - depth was trash and it showed by playoffs when Radmanovich was our starting ****ing SF - and he was masterful in the 08 WC playoffs.

08 Celtics (One of the best teams ever especially defensively) peaked at the right time, underachieved in EC but picked it up once they reached the finals. Lakers probably would have won if Ariza and Bynum played (and that Lakers would have won 09 and 10 even if the Cs superteam was healthy), but it is what it is. Kobe's dominance vs the Magic while being consistently dominant throughout the 09 season gives that season a good argument as well.

[SamuraiSWISH]

It's a toss-up honestly, I give 08 the nod because that supporting cast was worse - depth was trash and it showed by playoffs when Radmanovich was our starting ****ing SF - and he was masterful in the 08 WC playoffs.

08 Celtics (One of the best teams ever especially defensively) peaked at the right time, underachieved in EC but picked it up once they reached the finals. Lakers probably would have won if Ariza and Bynum played (and that Lakers would have won 09 and 10 even if the Cs superteam was healthy), but it is what it is. Kobe's dominance vs the Magic while being consistently dominant throughout the 09 season gives that season a good argument as well.
I agree with all that ...

But fact remains the Lakers could’ve won that Finals. Kobe didn’t play to the standard he needed to beat them. He wasn’t very good.

And they gave up that twenty some odd point lead in a game at home they absolutely should’ve won.

26/5/5 on 41 - 16.4 GmSc

That wasn’t gonna cut it. Regardless of how well he was playing even in game 6 before as a unit they got ran off the floor.

2008 Celtics is an absolute super team. Even if they coasted the first few rounds of the Leastern Conference playoffs.

That 2010 was a shell of their former selves with KG being 75% of the player he was in 2008 and 2009 pre injury.