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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
Kobe has been playing non-MVP basketball the past week or so. I don't know IF he's tired, IF his pinky is hurting him more than he is letting be known, IF he's suffering from another undisclosed injury.....or the fact that he's getting older and his game is regressing in the process?
Whatever it is, Kobe Bean Bryant looks like a shell of his former self. He's getting ZERO seperation and elevation from his defender on his jumpshot. His shot selection is absolutely horrific. He's unable to drive to the hoop when his jumper is not falling. This is NOT the Kobe Bryant I'm used to watching the past few years.
He went 24-60 against one of the weakest defensive teams in the league (Golden State) the past 2 games. His jumper is flat and his legs look extremely fatigued.
The MVP race is going to come down to Chris Paul and LeBron James (I give LeBron the edge right now).
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
[QUOTE=Poseidon]Kobe has been playing non-MVP basketball the past week or so. I don't know IF he's tired, IF his pinky is hurting him more than he is letting be known, IF he's suffering from another undisclosed injury.....or the fact that he's getting older and his game is regressing in the process?
Whatever it is, Kobe Bean Bryant looks like a shell of his former self. He's getting ZERO seperation and elevation from his defender on his jumpshot. His shot selection is absolutely horrific. He's unable to drive to the hoop when his jumper is not falling. This is NOT the Kobe Bryant I'm used to watching the past few years.
He went 24-60 against one of the weakest defensive teams in the league (Golden State) the past 2 games. His jumper is flat and his legs look extremely fatigued.
[B]The MVP race is going to come down to Chris Paul and LeBron James (I give LeBron the edge right now).[/B][/QUOTE]
Wow.... Shocking to hear you say that. :eek:
Not to try to put fuel on this fire, but I have noticed a major decline in Kobe's explosiveness the second half of the season. Like I noted in a game thread many months ago...
There was a time when defenses had to guard against Kobe's dribble drive as his main weapon. The jumpshot, while good, was there as a backup if he didn't have a driving lane or the defense was playing off of him.
Now, it seems as though he has to consciously make a decision to go to the basket. It doesn't come as naturally to him as it once did. His natural inclination is to shoot the jumper and, if that isn't there, he either passes off or OCCASIONALLY drives to the basket... and his first step and explosiveness at the hoop are not the same as they were a couple of years ago.
Kobe is having a terrific season, but I can see what Poseidon is saying. I'm starting to wonder whether Kobe has already reached his peak and is now on the other side of the 'mountain,' so to speak... on the decline.
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
[QUOTE=RedBlackAttack]Wow.... Shocking to hear you say that. :eek:
Not to try to put fuel on this fire, but I have noticed a major decline in Kobe's explosiveness the second half of the season. Like I noted in a game thread many months ago...
There was a time when defenses had to guard against Kobe's dribble drive as his main weapon. The jumpshot, while good, was there as a backup if he didn't have a driving lane or the defense was playing off of him.
Now, it seems as though he has to consciously make a decision to go to the basket. It doesn't come as naturally to him as it once did. His natural inclination is to shoot the jumper and, if that isn't there, he either passes off or OCCASIONALLY drives to the basket... and his first step and explosiveness at the hoop are not the same as they were a couple of years ago.
Kobe is having a terrific season, but I can see what Poseidon is saying. I'm starting to wonder whether Kobe has already reached his peak and is now on the other side of the 'mountain,' so to speak... on the decline.[/QUOTE]
No doubt that Kobe is crawling down the other side of the "mountain" right now.....and you know what, it's expected. I don't know how any Lakers fan can be shocked at the thought of Kobe losing a step or two?
He's towards the end of his 13th year right now and has played a ton of games (including regular season + post season). He's had a few major injuries the past couple of years (shoulder, knee ankle to name a few). Kobe is definitely an OLD "29" in basketball years.
Unlike many here, I'm NOT in denial. I understand the "numbers" of a professional athlete, especially in a physically-dominated sport like professional basketball.
While Kobe is still a Top 5 player in the league, he just simply can not perform to the level he did a couple of years ago or even last season. Kobe's main "bread n' butter" is his jumpshot. He used to kill his opponents whereby he would jump higher and get more separation in the process. This season the defender is right there with Kobe when he goes up for a shot. I can't tell you how many times I've seen the defense stuff Kobe on a fadeaway jumper or simple jumpshot this season. That NEVER happened in the past.
You know what, it's perfectly okay to say that Kobe has "peaked" and his game is starting to decline. No shame in that. It happens to all the great players in EVERY sport. Kobe is no different. In a few years we will see the same thing happen to LeBron James.
Kobe has played extremely well this season, but in my opinion....he's NOT the MVP of the league. Why? Because I think that award should go to the BEST/Most Outstanding player in the league.....not the top dawg on the top team. Kobe should have wion the award the past 2 seasons for the SAME exact reason why I think LeBron should win it THIS season.
Honestly, the MVP award means absolutely NOTHING anymore.....ever since Nash (twice) and Dirk took home the award. It's completely lost it's luster the past 3 seasons.
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
That discussion is just stupid. Kobe is averaging 31/8/5 for the month of march right now. Yes, he's past his athletic peak, but you gotta be blind not seeing that he's playing better overall basketball this year.
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
"He's my vote for MVP," [B][I]Warriors head coach Don Nelson [/I][/B]said. "He's the best of the best and deserves the award more than, I think, anybody else and I hope he gets it. He's a marvelous player, makes everybody else better. There isn't anything that he doesn't do. He's a pretty sensational player."
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
He's fine. Probably just tired. Kobe also tweaked his ankle in the first Warriors game. You'd also be kidding yourself if you think he's not saving himself somewhat for playoffs.
Once Gasol and/or Bynum get back his minutes will go down and his FG% will go up. I wouldn't worry about him at all.
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
[QUOTE=Poseidon]No doubt that Kobe is crawling down the other side of the "mountain" right now.....and you know what, it's expected. I don't know how any Lakers fan can be shocked at the thought of Kobe losing a step or two?
He's towards the end of his 13th year right now and has played a ton of games (including regular season + post season). He's had a few major injuries the past couple of years (shoulder, knee ankle to name a few). Kobe is definitely an OLD "29" in basketball years.
Unlike many here, I'm NOT in denial. I understand the "numbers" of a professional athlete, especially in a physically-dominated sport like professional basketball.
While Kobe is still a Top 5 player in the league, he just simply can not perform to the level he did a couple of years ago or even last season. Kobe's main "bread n' butter" is his jumpshot. He used to kill his opponents whereby he would jump higher and get more separation in the process. This season the defender is right there with Kobe when he goes up for a shot. I can't tell you how many times I've seen the defense stuff Kobe on a fadeaway jumper or simple jumpshot this season. That NEVER happened in the past.
You know what, it's perfectly okay to say that Kobe has "peaked" and his game is starting to decline. No shame in that. It happens to all the great players in EVERY sport. Kobe is no different. In a few years we will see the same thing happen to LeBron James.
Kobe has played extremely well this season, but in my opinion....he's NOT the MVP of the league. Why? Because I think that award should go to the BEST/Most Outstanding player in the league.....not the top dawg on the top team. Kobe should have wion the award the past 2 seasons for the SAME exact reason why I think LeBron should win it THIS season.
Honestly, the MVP award means absolutely NOTHING anymore.....ever since Nash (twice) and Dirk took home the award. It's completely lost it's luster the past 3 seasons.[/QUOTE]
I won't deny that he may be on the "decline" its only natural. But you're simply focusing on his shooting percentage (who knows maybe that is the first thing to go, like you said losing your lift on your shot), but totally ignoring the other stats he's put up: rebounds and assists. Everyone loves to mention LBJ's great rebound and assist totals as the main reason he should get the MVP over Kobe (this year and in the past). I never put much stock in either of those stats because for one, rebounds are often position dependent, and two, assists depend on other guys making shots. In addition both of those stats (much like scoring) are largely dependent on how many minutes you're playing--especially rebounds, where just being in the game pads your stats.
But if I were to give a sh*t about them, in these 2 poor shooting games Kobe's had 14 and 11 rebounds. That's with Lamar getting 20+ of his own each. He also averaged 7.5 assists over the two Warrior games as well.
He played big minutes in both (46 and 52) and his stats were right there with the playing time. Maybe he was just tired and his shot was falling short as a result. Maybe he just had a bad couple a games. I'm simply not ready to say he's definitely on the decline because of a bad week. Especially when you look to the games before.
Against Seattle he shot 8/15. Utah 11/24. Dallas 12/23. In the remaining previous 7 games of March he shot under 50% four times, which isn't great, but I don't know its a sign that he's "on the decline." The guy has been playing serious minutes while Gasol and Bynum have been out, its got to take its toll. I expect around the time Gasol is back, Kobe shoots in the high 40's and 50's % the rest of the season, and you'll see his shot attempts drop down to under 18.
I [I]am [/I]worried that Kobe won't have the juice left for the playoffs that he would have had earlier in his career. But if Gasol and Bynum come back on time and be productive, I expect Kobe to get a lot of time on the bench down the stretch and for him to reserve some big-time energy for the post-season.
Anyway, I don't think the numbers overall speak to much "decline." He's been forced to carry the team, playing lots of minutes, and all that through his own injuries--while the team plays big-time short-handed. Don't ignore the fact that the last couple weeks have consisted of playing some of the best teams in the league. While his shooting % may be down over the last few, his other stats are all up.
:confusedshrug:
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
Kobe is past his peak athletically, how could he not be with 12 seasons under his belt, 3 or 4 surgeries, not sure, 2 of them on his knee at that.
Does anyone perhaps realize what a load on his body that is? I mean, just for a second....just think about it.
Let me use Nelson's word, yes, it's truly marvelous.
As for the mini series with GS, haven't watched the 2nd game but he played great in the first one and as deceiving as stats can be, the Lakers got the win so it's all good but those stats, once again, looked solid.
Another thing I find remarkable about Kobe is that he always finds ways to get better which is why I don't fear of him aging anymore. No. Used to but no, not anymore.
He's a complete player. Perhaps the most complete player in the NBA. Practically, has no weakness to his game. There is not one of his game that someone can say "oh look, he reallly is bad at this".
He's got basketball learned down to science, every skill there is, he's got it, all fundamentals, intelligence and whatever it is, he's got it so even when he isn't as good athletically, he has found many other ways to get better or remain as good. Fortunately, having great teammates helps too.
Like I said, Kobe aging isn't my fear, really. The Lakers are good.
Kobe will be capable of being a 20 ppg scorer when he's 40. And clearly not one dimensional ala Reggie Miller because there will be a lot of intangibles there, not that Miller didn't have them but obviously not as Kobe.
Anyway, the Lakers are good. Kobe won't be needed to dominate individually anymore. You know, starting from next season, he probably won't average more than 25 ppg. And that's a good thing. Because he won't need to.
He"ll be able to coast like Duncan's been doing the last few years. And have the same success on the grand stage.
As Nelson said, Kobe now is a guy who possess everything, makes people better or if that's a stretch to some, he's playing great team basketball. And remember when people were saying that he cannot work with anyone good and that the Lakers should only be surrounding him with rugged role players instead of "good players" because Kobe won't allow them to play well? Ha.
MVP MVP MVP! But not the season MVP, couldn't care less about that one. Finals MVP is what it's about. What it's played for.
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
Chris Paul.... just sayin'
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Re: Magic/Jordan VS Lebron/Kobe. Who will win?
[QUOTE=AppleNader]better question: Kobe/Lebron vs. MJ/Magic with a bleeding head wound
I think MJ/Magic would win 100-0[/QUOTE]
Ill admit Magic can easily post up leBron anyday, But, what if LeBron's got the ball outside the paint? He can easily get around Magic since hes quicker.
Kobe/MJ??
MICHAEL JORDAN!....ssssshhhhh!
MJ and MJ [B]will[B] win but not by a landslide.
100-0?.... Wtf?
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
[QUOTE=bleedinpurpleTwo]Chris Paul.... just sayin'[/QUOTE]
:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:
[QUOTE]he's averaging 25 points, 13 assists and 3 steals this month while shooting 60% from the field and 48% on 3-pointers.
Not enough?[B][I][U] Paul awoke Friday having already recorded nine games this season with at least 20 points and 15 assists.
The rest of this league has accounted for eight such games. Combined.[/U][/I][/B][/QUOTE]
:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
LeBron is averaging 31/9/9 since the All-Star break. :eek:
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
[QUOTE=RedBlackAttack]LeBron is averaging 31/9/9 since the All-Star break. :eek:[/QUOTE]
More like 32/9/7. Still very good though. All of his shooting %'s are up too.
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
[QUOTE=bleedinpurpleTwo]Chris Paul.... just sayin'[/QUOTE]
bumpin' myself 'cause CP deserves it. 20 assists is a rare feat.
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Re: Lebron James vs Kobe Bryant, in the season, in MVP talk, more
I think Kobe's going off tonight...