Kobe's 2000 -2001 season very well might be the best of his career. [Archive] - Message Board Basketball Forum

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coastalmarker99

05-21-2021, 11:10 AM

In the 2001 regular season, Kobe averaged

28.5 ppg 6.0 rpg 5.0 apg on 46.4 % from the field, 85.3 % from the ft line & had a 55.2 % Ts.

- All-NBA 1st Team
- All-NBA 1st Defensive Team
- All-Star
- Best Guard defender in the NBA
- Most efficient high-volume scoring guard in the NBA

To start the year Kobe was off to a torrid offensive pace, from Nov 8th-Dec 7th he averaged...

33.1 ppg 6.0 rpg 5.2 apg on 49.0 % from the field, 36.9 % from 3 & 90.2 % from the ft line with a 58.1 % Ts

The Lakers then went 11-4 in this span.

Another great stretch from Kobe was a 2 month stretch from Dec 17th-Feb 13th where he averaged...

31.6 ppg 7.0 rpg 4.4 apg 1.8 spg & 1.0 bpg on 47.0 % from the field, 85.5 % from the ft line with a 57.0 Ts % (league average TS % was 51.8)

The Lakers went 16-7 in this span.

Kobes averages against Top 5 defences in the regular season. (10 games)

32.8 ppg 6.1 rpg 6.0 APG on 49.0 % from the field, 36.3 % from 3, 85.0 % from the ft line & had a 56.0 Ts %

- Scored 32 or more pts in 7 of the 10 games & had 2 40 pt games.
- 7-3 record in these 10 games

Kobes best game of the year came against the Warriors where he dropped 51 pts, 7 rebs, 6 asts, 2 steals, 1 blk on 51.4 % from the field, 100 % from the ft line & a 63 % Ts. It was his first 50 point game of his career.

Kobes second-best game of the year came against the Rockets where he dropped 45 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts on 20-26 (77 %) from the field & had a 78.5 % Ts in this game. Ridiculously efficient. 13 points in the 4th quarter, he willed LA to the win.

In the playoffs, Kobes game elevated as he saw a rise in nearly every statistic of his aside from ft shooting. Dominated the playoffs with his unguardable scoring & elite playmaking, keep in mind he was only 22 years old.

29.5 ppg 7.3 rpg 6.1 apg on 47.0 Fg % 82.1 Ft % 55.6 % Ts

Kobes play was at its peak in the Western Conference Playoffs where he averaged...

32.0 ppg 7.0 rpg 6.2 APG on 49.2 % from the field, 81.4 % from the line & a had a 57.5 Ts %

The Lakers played 3 50 win teams in this stretch, Kobes production was at its greatest against the best.

In the First-round sweep of the Blazers in which the Lakers breezed in Kobe averaged...

25.0 ppg 4.3 rpg 7.7 APG 2.3 SPG on 48.1 % from the field, 33.3 % from 3 & had a 56.5 Ts %

Kobe and Shaq both dominated the Blazers who they also beat the year prior in the WCF.

Kobes best game of the first-round series came in Game 1 of the series where he had 28 pts, 6 rebs, 7 asts, 25 of those 28 pts in the 2nd half while playing with intense pain to his left ribs from the 2nd quarter onto the end of the game. His playmaking & shot-creating was outstanding.

Next came a Semi-Finals sweep of the Kings where Kobes averages were...

35.0 ppg 9.0 rpg 4.3 APG on 47.3 % from the field, 86.4 % from the ft line & had a 58.9 % Ts

In Games 3 & 4 on the road Kobe averaged 42.0 ppg 11.5 rpg 3.5 apg 2.0 spg on 49-50-87 splits & had a 62.0 % Ts.

Kobes best game was in the closeout game 4 on the road where he had 48 pts, 16 rebs, 3 asts, 2 steals, 1 blk on a 64 % Ts in an absolute masterpiece performance to finish off the series. His ability to play off-ball made LA so dangerous this season as he could dominate with or without the ball.

Another sweep by LA in the Western Conference Finals vs the Spurs, Kobes averages were...

33.3 ppg 7.0 rpg 7.0 apg 1.5 spg on 51.4 % from the field, 35.7 % from 3 & had a 57.1 Ts %

From Games 1-3 Kobe averaged 36.3 ppg 8.7 rpg 5.7 apg on 51.4 Fg % 40.0 3pt % & had a 57.2 % Ts.

Kobes best game came in game 1 where he had 45 pts, 10 rebs, 3 asts, 2 steals, 1 blk on 54.3 % shooting from the field and flat outset the tone for what was to come for the rest of the series. Dominant opening series game.

Kobes stats in the Semi-Finals & Western Conference Finals were comically good coming from a 22-year-old, he averaged...

34.0 ppg 8.0 rpg 5.6 APG on 49.6 % from the field and had a pristine 58.2 Ts % which was WELL above league average at the time. He was on a whole other level.

The Lakers played the 76ers in the 2001 Finals where they won in 5 games, Kobe was great on both ends as he averaged...

24.6 ppg 7.8 rpg 5.8 APG 1.4 SPG 1.4 BPG

Kobes efficiency took a slight hit in part due to his struggles in Gm 1 but he bounced back in a big way in the last 4 games.

Kobes best game of the 2001 finals came in game 2 where he took the challenge to slow down A. Iverson and held him to 34 % shooting from the field & dominated on both ends with 31 pt, 8 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk night while having a super-efficient 58.4 % Ts.

In the closeout game 5, Kobe had 26 pts, 12 rebs, 6 asts on a 57.0 Ts % & had 15 in the 2nd half leading LA to secure the repeat.

Kobe was dominant from Games 2-5 averaging 27.0 ppg 9.0 rpg 6.0 APG 1.5 spg & 1.0 bpg on a 54 % Ts. The Best 2-way player in the game was on display.

In conclusion, Kobe's efficient scoring, great rebounding (especially on the offensive boards), elite playmaking, his elite defence & ability to dominate the game in every way imaginable all in all is the reason I believe this was the best overall season of his career.

Gohan

05-21-2021, 11:10 AM

In the 2001 regular season Kobe averaged

28.5 ppg 6.0 rpg 5.0 apg on 46.4 % from the field, 85.3 % from the ft line & had a 55.2 % Ts.

- All-NBA 1st Team
- All-NBA 1st Defensive Team
- All-Star
- Best Guard defender in the NBA
- Most efficient high-volume scoring guard in the NBA

To start the year Kobe was off to a torrid offensive pace, from Nov 8th-Dec 7th he averaged...

33.1 ppg 6.0 rpg 5.2 apg on 49.0 % from the field, 36.9 % from 3 & 90.2 % from the ft line with a 58.1 % Ts

The Lakers then went 11-4 in this span.

Another great stretch from Kobe was a 2 month stretch from Dec 17th-Feb 13th where he averaged...

31.6 ppg 7.0 rpg 4.4 apg 1.8 spg & 1.0 bpg on 47.0 % from the field, 85.5 % from the ft line with a 57.0 Ts % (league average TS % was 51.8)

The Lakers went 16-7 in this span.

Kobes averages against Top 5 defences in the regular season. (10 games)

32.8 ppg 6.1 rpg 6.0 APG on 49.0 % from the field, 36.3 % from 3, 85.0 % from the ft line & had a 56.0 Ts %

- Scored 32 or more pts in 7 of the 10 games & had 2 40 pt games.
- 7-3 record in these 10 games

Kobes best game of the year came against the Warriors where he dropped 51 pts, 7 rebs, 6 asts, 2 steals, 1 blk on 51.4 % from the field, 100 % from the ft line & a 63 % Ts. It was his first 50 point game of his career.

Kobes second-best game of the year came against the Rockets where he dropped 45 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts on 20-26 (77 %) from the field & had a 78.5 % Ts in this game. Ridiculously efficient. 13 points in the 4th quarter, he willed LA to the win.

In the playoffs, Kobes game elevated as he saw a rise in nearly every statistic of his aside from ft shooting. Dominated the playoffs with his unguardable scoring & elite playmaking, keep in mind he was only 22 years old.

29.5 ppg 7.3 rpg 6.1 apg on 47.0 Fg % 82.1 Ft % 55.6 % Ts

Kobes play was at its peak in the Western Conference Playoffs where he averaged...

32.0 ppg 7.0 rpg 6.2 apg on 49.2 % from the field, 81.4 % from the line & a had a 57.5 Ts %

The Lakers played 3 50 win teams in this stretch, Kobes production was at its greatest against the best.

In the First-round sweep of the Blazers in which the Lakers breezed in Kobe averaged...

25.0 ppg 4.3 rpg 7.7 APG 2.3 SPG on 48.1 % from the field, 33.3 % from 3 & had a 56.5 Ts %

Kobe and Shaq both dominated the Blazers who they also beat the year prior in the WCF.

Kobes best game of the series came Game 1 of the series where he had 28 pts, 6 rebs, 7 asts, 25 of those 28 pts in the 2nd half while playing with intense pain to his left ribs from the 2nd quarter onto the end of the game. His playmaking & shot-creating was outstanding.

Next came a Semi-Finals sweep of the Kings where Kobes averages were...

35.0 ppg 9.0 rpg 4.3 APG on 47.3 % from the field, 86.4 % from the ft line & had a 58.9 % Ts

In Games 3 & 4 on the road Kobe averaged 42.0 ppg 11.5 rpg 3.5 apg 2.0 spg on 49-50-87 splits & had a 62.0 % Ts.

Kobes best game was in the closeout game 4 on the road where he had 48 pts, 16 rebs, 3 asts, 2 steals, 1 blk on a 64 % Ts in an absolute masterpiece performance to finish off the series. His ability to play off-ball made LA so dangerous. He could dominate with or without the ball.

Another sweep by LA in the Western Conference Finals vs the Spurs, Kobes averages were...

33.3 ppg 7.0 rpg 7.0 apg 1.5 spg on 51.4 % from the field, 35.7 % from 3 & had a 57.1 Ts %

From Games 1-3 Kobe averaged 36.3 ppg 8.7 rpg 5.7 apg on 51.4 Fg % 40.0 3pt % & had a 57.2 % Ts.

Kobes best game came in game 1 where he had 45 pts, 10 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls, 1 blk on 54.3 % shooting from the field and flat out set the tone for what was to come for the rest of the series. Dominant opening series game.

Kobes stats in the Semi-Finals & Western Conference Finals were comically good coming from a 22-year-old, he averaged...

34.0 ppg 8.0 rpg 5.6 apg on 49.6 % from the field and had a pristine 58.2 Ts % which was WELL above league average at the time. He was on a whole other level.

The Lakers played the 76ers in the Finals where they won in 5 games, Kobe was great on both ends as he averaged...

24.6 ppg 7.8 rpg 5.8 APG 1.4 SPG 1.4 bpg

Kobes efficiency took a slight hit in part due to his struggles in Gm 1 but he bounced back in a big way in the last 4 games.

Kobes best game of the 2001 finals came in game 2 where he took the challenge to slow down A. Iverson and held him to 34 % shooting from the field & dominated on both ends with 31 pt, 8 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk night while having a super-efficient 58.4 % Ts.

In the closeout game 5 Kobe had 26 pts, 12 rebs, 6 asts on a 57.0 Ts % & had 15 in the 2nd half leading LA to secure the repeat.

Kobe was dominant from Games 2-5 averaging 27.0 ppg 9.0 rpg 6.0 apg 1.5 spg & 1.0 bpg on a 54 % Ts. The Best 2-way player in the game was on display.

In conclusion, Kobes efficient scoring, great rebounding (especially on the offensive boards), elite playmaking, his elite defence & ability to dominate the game in every way imaginable all in all is the reason I believe this was the best overall season of his career.

He played with shaq

coastalmarker99

05-21-2021, 11:15 AM

I don't care that he played alongside Shaq as Kobe's 2001 playoff run all the age of 22 is clearly the best of his career when you factor in how dominant he was on both ends of the court and also how efficient he was as well.

ScottieQuitting

05-21-2021, 11:18 AM

It’s close. But it’s not. 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009 and maybe even 2010 he was a better player. From skill set, mind set, in some cases athleticism (2003), and other various intangibles etc.

Rysio

05-21-2021, 11:21 AM

Maybe statistically but as a player that could do absolutely everything 07 is kobes best.

coastalmarker99

05-21-2021, 11:33 AM

I think personally 2001 is easily Kobe's best season of his career as he was a legit all-defence level guard. His efficiency was borderline elite in the regular season (+3.5 relative TS, ORTG was nine points above league average) and flat-out amazing in the postseason (+5.7 rTS, +17 ORTG, numbers adjusted against postseason defensive quality).

His +/- numbers were elite. He was a top-six player in the RS, and then the best player/performer on the best postseason team of all-time. I also think he benefited from the illegal defence rules.

2001 is far and away the best Kobe season. Most will say 2006 or 2003 or 2008, but this is the season where he was an absolute 1st-tier superstar on offence and a legit defensive all-defensive guard. He was a top-six player in the RS, and then jumped a level and had one of the very best post-season runs of all time.

Post-season run: 29.4/7.3/6.1/1.8/0.7 on GODLY efficiency (+5.7 rTS, +17 rORTG). 7.4 BPM. .260 WS/48. 3.8 WS. +14.2 On/Off. #1 in PS WS. #1 on the team in WS, OWS, WS/48, VORP, OBPM, BPM, On/Off, +/-, and Playoff RAPM. Played ELITE defence.. On a team with peak Shaq. On a team that a relative ORTG of +13.7 (a top 3 mark ever). Against INSANE defensive competition/overall comp (average SRS of the teams they faced was 5.6, avg DRTG rank was #5) On a team that had the best post-season run of all time by a distance. 15-1 with an SRS of 19.

Hell, the 2001 Lakers were far and away the best team of that stretch, and Kobe led that team in overall RAPM, post-season RAPM, post-season BPM, post-season +/-, RAPTOR +/-, post-season WS, post-season WS/48, etc,

Overall RAPM (RS+PS):

Bryant: 4.39 (#3 in the league)

Shaq: 4.37 (#4 in the league)

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/11181n4avq5wefk/AABLySVPmcZXb0uiGPEk53fpa/2001.txt?dl=0

Post-season RAPM (wonky source):

Kobe: #1 in the league

Shaq: #10 in the league

https://basketball-analytics.gitlab.io/rapm-data/season/2000-01/playoffs/

Post-season +/-:

Kobe: +213 (highest EVER recorded)

Shaq: +186

Post-season On/Off:

Kobe: +14.2

Shaq: -0.3

RAPTOR +/- (influenced by box-score):

Kobe: +6.4

Shaq: +6.2

RAPTOR WAR

Kobe: +16.3

Shaq: +16.6

RS RAPTOR +/-

KObe: +5.9

Shaq: +5.5

Post-season RAPTOR +/-:

Kobe: +8.4

Shaq: +8.9

Post-season WAR:

Kobe: +4.0

Shaq: +4.1

Post-season ORTG:

Kobe: 117

Shaq: 113

Post-season BPM 1.0 (Basketball-Reference)

Kobe: +7.4

Shaq: +7.2

Post-season BPM (Backpicks)

Kobe: +6.8

Shaq: +5.6

https://backpicks.com/

Post-season WS:

Kobe: +3.8 (#1)

Shaq: +3.7

Post-season WS/48

Kobe: .260

Shaq: .260

Post-season VORP

Kobe: +1.6

Shaq: +1.6

And this how it looks for the season overall (RS+PS):

In 445 min with Kobe On and Shaq Off they had a net rating of -1.34

In 360 min with Shaq On and Kobe Off they had a net rating of -2.43

https://www.pbpstats.com/wowy-combos/nba?TeamId=1610612747&Season=2000-01&SeasonType=All&PlayerIds=406,977&OnlyCommonGames=true

They were better with Kobe on and Shaq off than Shaq on and Kobe off the for the season overall, which is crazy.

Post-season RAPM (wonky source):

Kobe: #1 in the league

Shaq: #10 in the league

https://basketball-analytics.gitlab.io/rapm-data/season/2000-01/playoffs/

Post-season PIPM:

KObe---5.09

Shaq---3.509

Post-season PIPM wins:

Kobe--3.37

Shaq--2.65

Post-season +/-:

Kobe: +213 (highest EVER recorded)

Shaq: +186

Post-season On/Off:

Kobe: +14.2

Shaq: -0.3

Overall RAPTOR +/- (RS+post-season) (influenced by box-score):

Kobe: +6.4

Shaq: +6.2

Post-season WAR:

Kobe: +4.0

Shaq: +4.1

Post-season ORTG:

Kobe: 117

Shaq: 113

Post-season BPM 1.0 (Basketball-Reference)

Kobe: +7.4

Shaq: +7.2

Post-season BPM (Backpicks)

Kobe: +6.8

Shaq: +5.6

https://backpicks.com/

Post-season BPM 2.0:

Kobe: +6.5

Shaq: +6.5

Post-season WS:

Kobe: +3.8 (#1)

Shaq: +3.7

Post-season WS/48

Kobe: .260

Shaq: .260

Post-season VORP

Kobe: +1.6

Shaq: +1.6

Kobe on and Shaq off they had a Net Rating of +19.48

Shaq on and Kobe off they had a Net Rating of -0.01

Overall RAPM (RS and POST-SEASON data included):

Bryant: 4.39 (#3 in the league)

Shaq: 4.37 (#4 in the league)

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/11181n4avq5wefk/AABLySVPmcZXb0uiGPEk53fpa/2001.txt?dl=0

Bryant was #1 or tied #1 on the team post-season WS, OWS, WS/48, ORTG, VORP, OBPM, BPM, BPM 2.0, Backpicks BPM, On/Off, +/-, net rating, PIPM, PIPM wins, RAPTOR +/- and Playoff RAPM.

01 Kobe was a top three player in the world and the best perimeter player in basketball. I don't think it's crazy to consider that his peak.

ImKobe

05-21-2021, 11:41 AM

8Ball

05-21-2021, 11:43 AM

I like 2008 and 2010 honestly.
2009 is up there.

2010 his body was starting to give up on him.

coastalmarker99

05-21-2021, 11:45 AM

Yes. He led the Playoffs in winshares and had the best RAPM out of all the top players and was top 5 in 4th quarter ppg and #1 in TS%. He was also #1 in 4th quarter ppg and #1 in 4th quarter TS% in the '02 Playoffs.

https://defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-3.01.00-PM.png

Shaq was the best player through the first 3 quarters, Kobe was the best 4th quarter player in the league.

Yeah, he was on fire that year and every stat we have backs that up. While he was was sidekick during the 99-00 season afterwards it was clearly a dynamic duo in 00-01 with no clear alpha, just two superstars.

Unfortunately, just as people obsess about rings, Kobe was also the victim of people's obsession with finals MVPs. Because Shaq won all 3 finals MVPs against terrible east teams that had no one to match up with him people use that as Kobe being a sidekick that was getting carried by Shaq despite him being the better player during 00-01 for the season and the western conference playoffs.

ImKobe

05-21-2021, 11:46 AM

He played on a bad knee in 2010, had to have it drained mid-Playoffs, which is why he looked washed in the OKC series but his old self the rest of the POs, also played with a broken index finger on his shooting hand.

Yeah, he was on fire that year and every stat we have backs that up. While he was was sidekick during the 99-00 season afterwards it was clearly a dynamic duo in 00-01 with no clear alpha, just two superstars.

Unfortunately, just as people obsess about rings, Kobe was also the victim of people's obsession with finals MVPs. Because Shaq won all 3 finals MVPs, people use that as Kobe being a sidekick that was getting carried by Shaq despite him being the better player during 00-01 for the season and the western conference playoffs.

Kobe and Shaq both suffer from playing together, the same way people aren't willing to give Curry and KD credit for their '17 and '18 title runs.

coastalmarker99

05-21-2021, 11:51 AM

He played on a bad knee in 2010, had to have it drained mid-Playoffs, which is why he looked washed in the OKC series but his old self the rest of the POs, also played with a broken index finger on his shooting hand.

Kobe and Shaq both suffer from playing together, the same way people aren't willing to give Curry and KD credit for their '17 and '18 title runs.

He was personally at his most explosive athletically in the 2002- 2003 season and as a result, as he had a great season before the rape case then took a lot out of him mentally and maybe physically in the next season.

I personally can't blame Kobe for being disappointing in the 2003-2004 season compared to his prior season as he was dealing with a lot on his plate and truthfully I think he was not fully mentally focused on playing basketball that year.

tpols

05-21-2021, 12:00 PM

ImKobe

05-21-2021, 12:03 PM

He was personally at his most explosive athletically in the 2002- 2003 season and as a result, as he had a great season before the rape case then took a lot out of him mentally and maybe physically in the next season.

I personally can't blame Kobe for being disappointing in the 2003-2004 season compared to his prior season as he was dealing with a lot on his plate and truthfully I think he was not fully mentally focused on playing basketball that year.

He had both knee and shoulder surgery after that 02-03 season, and re-injured his shoulder during the '04 season as well. Pair that with the off-court drama and the league being at it's low in terms of offensive efficiency, and it's obvious why his numbers weren't on par with years past.

coastalmarker99

05-21-2021, 12:07 PM

He had both knee and shoulder surgery after that 02-03 season, and re-injured his shoulder during the '04 season as well. Pair that with the off-court drama and the league being at it's low in terms of offensive efficiency, and it's obvious why his numbers weren't on par with years past.

On another note, I would have loved to Kobe's twilight years without that that Achilles injury as I honestly believe that he would have caught Kareem on the all-time scoring list as if he didn't suffer that serious injury. He most likely could have averaged 25 to 27 PPG from 2014 to 2016 with Dwight leaving and Nash being injured all the time which would have forced him to jack up shots.

coastalmarker99

05-21-2021, 12:10 PM

Because of LA's weak scoring threats, Boston threw their entire defense at Kobe. Pau was alright but definitely got punked by KG. He learned from it though and played much better in 2010.

If Ariza/Bynum were healthy and in 08, I believe Kobe's shooting numbers would be better too. And LA takes that series.

If Kobe had 6 rings to go along with 2 three-peats and 3 finals MVPs plus a regular-season Mvp I honestly believe that most people would now bump him up into the top 5 of all time.

kuniva_dAMiGhTy

05-21-2021, 12:10 PM

He had higher advanced metrics than peak Shaq that year so yea it was pretty GOAT. 2008 was his best blend of leadership, athleticism, and skill. People forget but Kobe was leading a top seed before Pau got traded.

Because of LA's weak scoring threats, Boston threw their entire defense at Kobe. Pau averaged 15/10 but was punked by Garnett, mercilessly. He learned from it though and played much better in 2010.

If Ariza/Bynum were healthy and played in the 08 finals, I also believe Kobe's shooting numbers would be better. LA probably wins too.

If Kobe had 6 rings to go along with 2 three-peats and 3 finals MVPs i honestly believe that most people would bump him up into the top 5 of alltime

A lot of people do already. Mainly casuals, but ya, people 'in the know' would definitely put Kobe up there with that resume.

ImKobe

05-21-2021, 12:17 PM

On another note, I would have loved to Kobe's twilight years without that that Achilles injury as I honestly believe that he would have caught Kareem on the all-time scoring list as if he didn't suffer that serious injury. He most likely could have averaged 25 to 27 PPG from 2014 to 2016 with Dwight leaving and Nash being injured all the time which would have forced him to jack up shots.

Yeah, I remember we all thought he'd pass Malone at the very least. He took his game to the post and was one of the best post players in the league along with Durant at that point, he was about 7000 points away from Kareem before his injury and it looked very doable if he could play another 300 games (about 4 seasons) and average around 23-24 points overall. If Dwight leaves for nothing and Kobe doesn't blow out his achilles, he's averaging close to 30 the next year because he wouldn't have had anyone to pass it to. His scoring was insane in the first half of the '13 season, when half the team was injured and we were starting G-leaguers. It would have been more of that to end his career.

ScottieQuitting

05-21-2021, 12:38 PM

HBK_Kliq_2

05-21-2021, 02:09 PM

I would say 2009 because he didn't have the gravity of shaq on his team.

2001, 2008, 2009, 2010 are all great though and his 4 best playoff runs are better then Duncan's 4 best playoff runs.

StrongLurk

05-21-2021, 04:42 PM

And yet Kobe was clearly outplayed by Shaq and AI in the finals that year.

paksat

05-21-2021, 04:56 PM

06 is his best year, but this is a very good one

SouBeachTalents

05-21-2021, 04:57 PM

I would say 2009 because he didn't have the gravity of shaq on his team.

2001, 2008, 2009, 2010 are all great though and his 4 best playoff runs are better then Duncan's 4 best playoff runs.
'03 Duncan is better than all of them. Better than '19 Kawhi too

HBK_Kliq_2

05-21-2021, 05:15 PM

'03 Duncan is better than all of them. Better than '19 Kawhi too

2003 duncan isn't better then 2019 kawhi, no way. What's the argument?

Kawhi had to beat Giannis for a full series, while Dirk only played like 2 games in the conference finals.

Kawhi had to beat a 73 win team in the finals, while Duncan played the worst finals team ever with Kidd and scrubs.

I would even say the 2019 76ers were better then the 03 lakers because the lakers drama and Ben Simmons is a 3rd better player then anybody on the lakers.

Top to bottom just beat better teams and hit bigger shots. Also Kawhi was the main defender on Giannis during the 4 game winning streak, i don't remember Duncan guarding anybody during his 03 run.

Ne 1

05-21-2021, 06:32 PM

I’d go with his MVP year in ‘08. The Lakers were 25-11 early at the time of Bynum's injury, Kobe kept them going until they got Gasol, then Gasol was injured and he kept them going and they ended up with the best record in one of the most competitive conferences ever. Kobe's balance between getting his teammates involved early and taking over later was reminiscent of Jordan that season. He was a great playmaker, a deadly scorer who did play unselfishly for the most part, he rebounded very well for a guard and he had his best defensive season since the 3peat.

ImKobe

05-21-2021, 08:07 PM

And yet Kobe was clearly outplayed by Shaq and AI in the finals that year.

The Sixers were arguably their weakest opponent and they had a huge mis-match with Shaq on Mutombo, who wasn't strong enough to guard Shaq. Kobe outplayed AI in the Finals, make no mistake about that. AI had that one good game where Kobe had his only off night of the Playoff run, but Kobe outplayed him for the rest of the series.

Games 2-5

AI: 33/6/3 39.7%FG/25.8%3PT/66.7%FT
Kobe: 27/9/6 44/%FG/33%3PT/83.8%FT

StrongLurk

05-21-2021, 08:57 PM

The Sixers were arguably their weakest opponent and they had a huge mis-match with Shaq on Mutombo, who wasn't strong enough to guard Shaq. Kobe outplayed AI in the Finals, make no mistake about that. AI had that one good game where Kobe had his only off night of the Playoff run, but Kobe outplayed him for the rest of the series.

Games 2-5

AI: 33/6/3 39.7%FG/25.8%3PT/66.7%FT
Kobe: 27/9/6 44/%FG/33%3PT/83.8%FT

I cannot stand retarded stans like you.

Yes, let's leave out game 1 where AI put up 48/5/6 with 5 steals and Kobe put up 15/3/5 (7-22 FG) with 6 turnovers.

The FINALS means ALL games in the finals, including game one which apparently gives you PTSD and you cannot accept the reality of that game occuring.

Shaq AND AI outplayed Kobe in the 01 Finals.

ImKobe

05-21-2021, 09:23 PM

I cannot stand retarded stans like you.

Yes, let's leave out game 1 where AI put up 48/5/6 with 5 steals and Kobe put up 15/3/5 (7-22 FG) with 6 turnovers.

The FINALS means ALL games in the finals, including game one which apparently gives you PTSD and you cannot accept the reality of that game occuring.

Shaq AND AI outplayed Kobe in the 01 Finals.

I'm not leaving it out, Kobe was the better player 4 out of 5 games of the series. Kobe was more consistent, AI had the one good game. Don't get mad at me for stating facts. Even in his one good game, he took 41 shots to score 48.

Cold soul

05-21-2021, 10:35 PM

He played with shaq

Who gives a shit? Do we discredit Jordan playing with Pippen or Lebron with Wade. :facepalm

eliteballer

05-21-2021, 11:04 PM

If only he'd never ruined his knees and athleticism by adding weight to deal with physical play in 03 and 05 .

Stanley Kobrick

05-21-2021, 11:05 PM

shaq was the best player on the team