Kevin Durant said Kobe is the most skilled player ever

[eliteballer]

“You’ve never seen anyone with the footwork [Kobe] has, the athleticism, the shooting ability,” Kevin Durant tells me. “Being able to shoot the three off the dribble, off the catch and shoot, off the post. You’ve never seen that many skills in one person, outside of Michael Jordan. Of course, he doesn’t have six finals MVPs, or six titles, but skill for skill he’s unmatched.”

https://www.slamonline.com/news/nba/kobe-bryant-interview-feature-slam/

[Neal Romer]

Ok, well obviously Kevin Durant has never heard of Lebron.

[dankok8]

That's not exactly a controversial opinion by KD. Kobe's skill is arguably second to none.

[iamgine]

Depends on what we consider skill. Someone like KG could rebound, block, defend 1-5, make plays, dribble, protect the rim, man defense, help defense, mid range shots, etc. Aren't those skills too?

[StrongLurk]

Most skilled does not mean best player.

[Real Men Wear Green]

That might just be Kyrie Irving if we limit skill to what a guy can do with the ball in his hands. Kobe Bryant isn't a crazy opinion if you appreciate the ability to hit difficult shots.

[AlternativeAcc.]

That might just be Kyrie Irving if we limit skill to what a guy can do with the ball in his hands. Kobe Bryant isn't a crazy opinion if you appreciate the ability to hit difficult shots.

Kyrie is a better ball handler, has better footwork, hits tougher shots at a higher rate, and is a better passer to boot

If Kobe had Irving's size and athleticism he'd be a bench player at best.

Kobe being considered the most skilled player is an egregious myth

[tpols]

Well yea most people know Kobe is the GOAT skill wise. Durant is also one of the most skilled players ever. Game recognize game.

[RRR3]

Well yea most people know Kobe is the GOAT skill wise. Durant is also one of the most skilled players ever. Game recognize game.
Kobe is nowhere near the elite small guards in what you consider skill. Put the meth pipe down.

Seriously imagine CP3 or Curry with Kobe’s size and athleticism :lol

[tpols]

Curry and CP3 are up there all time as well but neither really had Kobes bag of counters and tricks. Especially inside the arc it's not particularly close. Kyrie was closer...

But yea... it turns out being tall matters for basketball players. If Kevin Durant was 6'0 he'd be a bench scrub too. But he's not, and he wasn't. And he is still considered probably the most skilled 7 foot basketball player ever.

[j3lademaster]

Kobe is the most skilled player ever. He can shoot from anywhere on the court, had the and1 handles when he wanted to, knew how to pick his spots and leverage his stamina to play both sides of the ball, had more insane poster dunks than players more athletic than he is(yes, dunking takes skill), footwork, post moves etc. No other player is shooting turnaround fadeaways against nba defense in actual games.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6IX9h-bnaY&t=156s

To put that into perspective how difficult it is, this is Lebron and Kyrie shooting j’s lefty… two incredibly skilled guys in their own right


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttazxzv_L08

Kobe can get a lot closer to what Lebron or Kyrie is better than him at skill wise than vice versa. Only player I might give the nod to over Kobe might be Curry.

[Overdrive]

Yes, he was skilled, but mostly on the good to look at, a lot of tricks in his nag side of things. Sure, he hit tough shots at a respectable clip, but efficiency is a skill in itself and for me a player who becomes inefficient mostly through his own stubborness and drive to be a hero can't be most skilled ever.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Yes, he was skilled, but mostly on the good to look at, a lot of tricks in his nag side of things. Sure, he hit tough shots at a respectable clip, but efficiency is a skill in itself and for me a player who becomes inefficient mostly through his own stubborness and drive to be a hero can't be most skilled ever.
Efficiency is effected by skill but shot selection and decision-making in general are heavy factors. Also physical attributes and how they are used. If Shaq is catching the ball with two feet in the paint 30 times he'll score 70 points. Tim Hardaway walks the ball up the court and tries to beat his man off the dribble and make a bucket however he creates it 25 times he might score 30. Does that prove Shaq is more skillful than Hardaway? More skillful doesn't mean better. The greatest players of all time are all skillful in ways but Jordan, James, Jabbar (who might be the most skilled big of all time) aren't normally considered the most skilled ever, they owe much of their dominance to other things like overwhelming athletic ability.

[RRR3]

Efficiency is effected by skill but shot selection and decision-making in general are heavy factors. Also physical attributes and how they are used. If Shaq is catching the ball with two feet in the paint 30 times he'll score 70 points. Tim Hardaway walks the ball up the court and tries to beat his man off the dribble and make a bucket however he creates it 25 times he might score 30. Does that prove Shaq is more skillful than Hardaway? More skillful doesn't mean better. The greatest players of all time are all skillful in ways but Jordan, James, Jabbar (who might be the most skilled big of all time) aren't normally considered the most skilled ever, they owe much of their dominance to other things like overwhelming athletic ability.
Kobe had overwhelming athletic ability. CP3 was still elite when he was slow af and could barely move.

[Monta Ellis MVP]

Yes, he was skilled, but mostly on the good to look at, a lot of tricks in his nag side of things. Sure, he hit tough shots at a respectable clip, but efficiency is a skill in itself and for me a player who becomes inefficient mostly through his own stubborness and drive to be a hero can't be most skilled ever.

Skills and efficiency actually are two independent things.

Unless you think the guys with the best FG% like Deandre Jordan and Rudy Gobert are the most skilled guys on the court…..

[tpols]

Kobe was pretty much crippled in the 2010 playoffs and still averaged 30/5/5. Destroyed knee he had to go to Germany for, crippled fingers on his shooting hand, amongst other ailments. But he found a way.

I wouldn't even argue against Chris Paul. He has GOAT skill for sure. As we've all said. That doesn't mean Kobe didn't as well or to a greater degree.

[ArbitraryWater]

Why didnt he say Kobe was the best player ever

[Real Men Wear Green]

Kobe had overwhelming athletic ability. CP3 was still elite when he was slow af and could barely move.
Young Kobe did. But in his mid and late 30s he didn't outclass opponents as an athlete.

[AlternativeAcc.]

Young Kobe did. But in his mid and late 30s he didn't outclass opponents as an athlete.

Post-achilles he was genuinely one of the worst starters in the NBA. His 2016 year was a masterclass in brick laying and horrible basketball, which kinda reinforces how much he actually did rely on his physical gifts. Before his achilles injury he was still posterizing people on a regular basis, so still had top tier athleticism.

"Skills" are more than just taking tough fadeaways. Kobe has zero argument for most skilled player ever. He's actually not even in the discussion.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Post-achilles he was genuinely one of the worst starters in the NBA. His 2016 year was a masterclass in brick laying and horrible basketball, which kinda reinforces how much he actually did rely on his physical gifts. Before his achilles injury he was still posterizing people on a regular basis, so still had top tier athleticism.

"Skills" are more than just taking tough fadeaways. Kobe has zero argument for most skilled player ever. He's actually not even in the discussion.

Plenty of people think he's one of the most skilled ever so you're factually incorrect. The Achilles ruining his game doesn't mean he wasn't skilled, injuries effect the way a player executes their moves and ruin their games. That's an ignorant"argument." You mistake your personal prejudice for the totality of the discussion. It's just your opinions.

[AlternativeAcc.]

Plenty of people think he's one of the most skilled ever so you're factually incorrect. The Achilles ruining his game doesn't mean he wasn't skilled, injuries effect the way a player executes their moves and ruin their games. That's an ignorant"argument." You mistake your personal prejudice for the totality of the discussion. It's just your opinions.

How can I be factually incorrect about an opinion-based argument? You contradicted yourself.

And no, while I may not be factually correct, because that would be impossible, I'm still correct. Most people don't think through anything they say and just go with whatever nonsense is floated out there by the masses, which is why the notion that "Kobe is the most skilled player ever" is one of the biggest myths ever.

He literally has zero argument for being more skilled than Kyrie or Pistol Pete, and those are just two examples. Him becoming atrocious after achilles tear is pretty good circumstantial evidence. If his ball-handling, passing, and shooting were actual GOAT level, he'd have been able to produce at a decent clip, instead of producing at an atrocious clip. He's not more skilled than Luka either, a white dude without even half of Kobe's athletisicm.

[Real Men Wear Green]

How can I be factually incorrect about an opinion-based argument? You contradicted yourself. You said he is not on the discussing when several people would and have brought him into the discussion. Kevin Durant made a comment that led to th8s thread being created that contradicts you. You are factually incorrect. I hope this doesn't need to be broken down further.


And no, while I may not be factually correct, because that would be impossible, I'm still correct. Most people don't think through anything they say and just go with whatever nonsense is floated out there by the masses, which is why the notion that "Kobe is the most skilled player ever" is one of the biggest myths ever. What is the title of this thread? Did you read it?

[AlternativeAcc.]

You said he is not on the discussing when several people would and have brought him into the discussion. Kevin Durant made a comment that led to th8s thread being created that contradicts you. You are factually incorrect. I hope this doesn't need to be broken down further.

What is the title of this thread? Did you read it?

I said he's not in the discussion if there was an actual valid discussion being had. I didn't mean it literally, I meant if people were being smart and objective, he wouldn't be in the top 10 of most skilled players ever. So he's not actually in the hypothetical discussion I implied, not the real-world discussions I dimsissed as being silly. I wouldn't have to explain this if you had even just an average level IQ.

Anyways, back to kobe... can you actually explain why he's the most skilled? Probably not, because it's just something you've seen other people say without you using critical thought

[Real Men Wear Green]

I said he's not in the discussion if there was an actual valid discussion being had. I didn't mean it literally, I meant if people were being smart and objective, he wouldn't be in the top 10 of most skilled players ever. So he's not actually in the hypothetical discussion I implied, not the real-world discussions I dimsissed as being silly. I wouldn't have to explain this if you had even just an average level IQ.

Anyways, back to kobe... can you actually explain why he's the most skilled? Probably not, because it's just something you've seen other people say without you using critical thought

Plenty of people have discussed Kobe Bryant, so he's clearly in the discussion, a fact that your dumb ass is beginning to process. Good for you. Not going to bother discussing it with you further, I said my piece and don't particularly respect or like you.

[AlternativeAcc.]

Plenty of people have discussed Kobe Bryant, so he's clearly in the discussion, a fact that your dumb ass is beginning to process. Good for you. Not going to bother discussing it with you further, I said my piece and don't particularly respect or like you.

Thanks for proving my point. "People have said it so I shouldn't have to critically analyze anything".

That's why it's one of the most perpetrated myths in sports. A bunch of players say it, even though they're wrong about almost everything and have some of the worst all-time lists you'll ever see, and then a bunch of lazy sheep similar to yourself go along with it and spread it like cancer when it's not remotely true or a logiclal conlusion to make. Just plain idiocy.

[FKAri]

Curry, CP, Kyrie. I think small PGs in general are just so much more skilled than everyone else. But Kobe for his size or higher probably is the most skilled that I've seen.

Someone mentioned Luka and while very skilled a lot of his game is utilizing his strength and size. He's frequently taking a set shot after creating space. Imagine what Kyrie could do if he could take a set shot after shedding a defender? His FT% can give you a clue. The stronger you are, the faster you are and the longer you are means you just need to do less to create space.

[AlternativeAcc.]

Curry, CP, Kyrie. I think small PGs in general are just so much more skilled than everyone else. But Kobe for his size or higher probably is the most skilled that I've seen.

Someone mentioned Luka and while very skilled a lot of his game is utilizing his strength and size. He's frequently taking a set shot after creating space. Imagine what Kyrie could do if he could take a set shot after shedding a defender? His FT% can give you a clue. The stronger you are, the faster you are and the longer you are means you just need to do less to create space.

The problem when players come out and say something like this, what they really mean to say is that Kobe is the most skilled of the 15 all-time greatest players... because those are the only ones theyre really comparing him to. Durant isn't thinking of lesser players or small PG's who undoubtedly had more skill than Kobe, he's only thinking of popular all-time greats. Casual fans do the same thing. They only consider the popular names, and of the top 15, I could see Kobe being in that conversation (even though he's a poor mans Jordan, and Bird had more skill) - but I get it. Everybody conflates basketball ability and raw skills when they're different things, and forget that basketball ability is HEAVILY reliant on size, strength, and athletiscim which aren't skills, but are attributes.

You could say Kobe had one of the best combinations of physical attributes and basketball skills, but definitely can't say he was the most skilled. That's just dumb as ****.

[eliteballer]

Why didnt he say Kobe was the best player ever

He has..

https://www.slamonline.com/archives/kevin-durant-says-kobe-bryant-michael-jordan-equal/
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kevin-durant-says-kobe-bryant-is-the-goat-along-with-jordan/

[eliteballer]

How can I be factually incorrect about an opinion-based argument? You contradicted yourself.

And no, while I may not be factually correct, because that would be impossible, I'm still correct. Most people don't think through anything they say and just go with whatever nonsense is floated out there by the masses, which is why the notion that "Kobe is the most skilled player ever" is one of the biggest myths ever.

He literally has zero argument for being more skilled than Kyrie or Pistol Pete, and those are just two examples. Him becoming atrocious after achilles tear is pretty good circumstantial evidence. If his ball-handling, passing, and shooting were actual GOAT level, he'd have been able to produce at a decent clip, instead of producing at an atrocious clip. He's not more skilled than Luka either, a white dude without even half of Kobe's athletisicm.

Sure, LeRoid fan..

[iamgine]

Kobe is the most skilled player ever. He can shoot from anywhere on the court, had the and1 handles when he wanted to, knew how to pick his spots and leverage his stamina to play both sides of the ball, had more insane poster dunks than players more athletic than he is(yes, dunking takes skill), footwork, post moves etc. No other player is shooting turnaround fadeaways against nba defense in actual games.

I think everybody gets Kobe is very skilled in many ways. But to say he's the most skilled ever...what's that based on?

Like for example, Hakeem had the footwork, post moves too. Doesn't have the long range shooting but he's MUCH MUCH better in rebounding, blocks and overall defense. How are we judging who actually more skilled?

[Im Still Ballin]

As others have said: it depends on how you define skill.


Kobe is the most skilled player ever. He can shoot from anywhere on the court, had the and1 handles when he wanted to, knew how to pick his spots and leverage his stamina to play both sides of the ball, had more insane poster dunks than players more athletic than he is(yes, dunking takes skill), footwork, post moves etc. No other player is shooting turnaround fadeaways against nba defense in actual games.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6IX9h-bnaY&t=156s

To put that into perspective how difficult it is, this is Lebron and Kyrie shooting j’s lefty… two incredibly skilled guys in their own right


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttazxzv_L08

Kobe can get a lot closer to what Lebron or Kyrie is better than him at skill wise than vice versa. Only player I might give the nod to over Kobe might be Curry.

Some impressive shots!

:cheers:

[ArbitraryWater]

He has..

https://www.slamonline.com/archives/kevin-durant-says-kobe-bryant-michael-jordan-equal/
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kevin-durant-says-kobe-bryant-is-the-goat-along-with-jordan/

“When you look at me, Carmelo (Anthony), LeBron and Paul George, what we’ve done out there in this league is nothing compared to what Kobe did,” Durant said. “We live in a world of what have you done for me lately. We don’t remember the day before sometimes. Think back five, six, years ago what he was doing. It’s unheard of.”


HAHAHAHA

[ShawkFactory]

Why are we taking KD's words as gospel here? He clearly has underlying issues, particular a probable jealousy/resentment of Lebron. They're friendly with each other but you can tell.

[paksat]

kyrie can do everything he can and hit at far more efficient rates

[eliteballer]

kyrie can do everything he can and hit at far more efficient rates

Kyries not elite at anything besides ballhandling, and he plays in a soft era.

[Phoenix]

Kyries not elite at anything besides ballhandling, and he plays in a soft era.

He may also be the most creative below the rim finisher ever, but I suppose the relative lack of rim protection compared to prior eras should be weighed in that.

[paksat]

Kyries not elite at anything besides ballhandling, and he plays in a soft era.

he's a 40/50/90 player

he's an elite shooter to say the least

he does play in a soft era but I do believe he'd be great in any

[Soundwave]

I get what he's saying, Kobe basically copied Jordan's game and added more emphasis on a 3 point shot.

Kobe is more like the 2nd 3-peat Jordan with a little bit more streetball thrown into his game and more chucking 3s.

There's a bit of a gap in raw explosive athleticism that 1st 3-peat Jordan had that really no one else has had since, so that's no real knock on Kobe, Jordan just had a weird mix of Iverson like speed + hyper agility in the air that I don't think has been seen since + explosive vertical leap in general and giant hands. Plus probably better basketball I.Q. (UNC's Dean Smith probably had something to do with that).