Kobe's Greatest Playoff Series

[IMG]http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/29/fullj.2e9480a6c585987c4092cdd92b91a310/2e9480a6c585987c4092cdd92b91a310-getty-98888104rr083_los_angeles_l.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Kobe's Greatest Playoff Hits[/B]

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After clinching Game 6 of the 2010 WCF against the Phoenix Suns, Kobe has built himself an impressive list of great NBA Playoff Series throughout his career(see below).

Although career averages may say otherwise to a few people, Kobe Bryant has made himself into one of the best NBA Playoff performers of his generation. Historically, Kobe(at the end of 2010 WCF) has given himself 75 30+ point performances in his playoff career with only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan in front of him. Kobe ranks #4 All-Time in Career Playoff Point Totals.

[IMG]http://d0inw0rk.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/kobe-bryant-8-dunk1.jpg[/IMG]

[B]#8 Kobe Bryant's Playoff Career[/B]

In his early career, almost all NBA fans remember the #8 Kobe Bryant. Young, Athletic, Cocky, and Talented. As one of the NBA's brightest stars, Kobe was great during the regular season, but he was just a sidekick to Shaq having one of the greatest peaks ever in NBA history. #8 Kobe Bryant was spectacular during the regular season(and Yes, he did have many clutch and memorable moments during the playoffs), but was inconsistent during the playoffs at times. Kobe's only truly consistent playoff run with Shaq, was during the 2001 Playoffs where Kobe averaged 29/7/6.

Although many people will disagree with me, Shaq was clearly #1 on the early 2000's Lakers teams. While still being a superstar and one of the best perimeter players in the league at the time, Kobe was still #2, arguably the greatest #2 option in NBA History.

Kobe didn't have the numbers, consistency, or leadership to be able to guide his team through the playoffs like Shaq. Who could blame him though? He was only 21-23 years old at the time.

[IMG]http://www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2008/04-25/lakers24dwbc_300.jpg[/IMG]
[B]
Post-Shaq and #24 Kobe Bryant's Playoff Career
[/B]
Now Post-Shaq Era. Kobe Bryant has a new team and a new number #24. #24 Kobe Bryant has had great statistical averages starting from the 2006 playoffs onwards. The series against the 2010 PHX Suns, proves to me why #24>#8 during the playoffs. Better numbers, and better leadership. Post-Shaq, Kobe Bryant(In My Opinion) has been the best player in the Playoffs. Combining Statistics, Leadership, and Clutch play, no player has been better than post-Shaq Era Kobe Bryant.

At the age of 31, Kobe Bryant has posted arguably the greatest playoff series of his already accomplished career. Averaging 34/7/8 on 52%fg shooting. Many point to 2001 WCF as Kobe's best, but imo 2010 WCF Kobe was even better since Kobe has a higher role and responsibility to his team than his younger 22 year old counterpart. When we look back at Kobe's career, I belive more people will remember his career as #24 rather than #8 due to his higher degree of playoff success individually. Because that's where legends are made.

After the 2010 WCF, I can confidently say Kobe has made himself the best playoff-performer of his generation.

[U]Post-Shaq Era(05-06 Onwards) Kobe Bryant Playoff Averages:[/U]
[U]79 Games: [/U]
29.8 ppg 5.7 rpg 5.4 apg 1.5 spg 0.7 bpg 3.3 tov
47%FG/35%3p/84%FT/57%TS/51%eFG


[B]
Below are Kobe Bryant's Best Playoff series of his career. Which to you, Stands out as the best of his entire career?[/B]

[B]2001 2nd Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs Sacramento Kings
[/B]
35.0 ppg 9.0 rpg 4.3 apg 47%fg 20%3P 86%FT
[B]
2001 3rd Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs San Antonio Spurs[/B]

33.3 ppg 7.0 rpg 7.0 apg 51%fg 36%3P 77%FT

[B]2003 1st Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs Minnesota Timberwolves[/B]

31.8 ppg 5.2 rpg 6.7 apg 43%fg 36%3P 87%FT

[B]2008 1st Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs Denver Nuggets[/B]

33.5 ppg 5.3 rpg 6.3 apg 50%fg 33%3P 74%FT
[B]
2008 2nd Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs Utah Jazz[/B]

33.2 ppg 7.0 rpg 7.2 apg 49%fg 21%3P 83%FT

[B]2008 3rd Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs San Antonio Spurs
[/B]
29.2 ppg 5.6 rpg 3.8 apg 53%fg 33%3P 91%FT
[B]
2009 3rd Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs Denver Nuggets
[/B]
34.0 ppg 5.8 rpg 5.8 apg 48%fg 34%3P 93%FT
[B]
2009 NBA Finals Kobe Bryant vs Orlando Magic[/B]

32.4 ppg 5.6 rpg 7.4 apg 43%fg 36%3P 84%FT

[B]2010 2nd Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs Utah Jazz
[/B]
32.0 ppg 3.8 rpg 5.8 apg 52%fg 25%3P 87%FT

[B]2010 3rd Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs Phoenix Suns[/B]

33.7ppg 7.2 rpg 8.3 apg 52%fg 43%3P 88%FT

[U]Note:[/U] [I]You may also choose another series that is not mentioned above.[/I]

it has to be vs phx because frankly how he managed to do that on an abysmal amount of free throws is mind blowing.

2010 vs PHX Suns is my answer btw.

I thought last year against the SPurs he did really well.

Yea, but this year against the Suns may be more important because they bigs didn't come out to play and he had to carry them down the stretch.

i am not gonna hate but lebron has had a way better series then kobe sorry. n its to bad 4 the king his squad isnt good as kobe

[QUOTE=OnceInADECADE]i am not gonna hate but lebron has had a way better series then kobe sorry. n its to bad 4 the king his squad isnt good as kobe[/QUOTE]

Wade/Kobe>Lebron

They don't choke.

[QUOTE=OnceInADECADE]i am not gonna hate but lebron has had a way better series then kobe sorry. n its to bad 4 the king his squad isnt good as kobe[/QUOTE]

lol, people like you really should be banned if this is all you can come up with.

Anyway, Kobe in this Phoenix series was unreal.

2010 WCF vs Suns.

[QUOTE=OnceInADECADE]i am not gonna hate but lebron has had a way better series then kobe sorry. n its to bad 4 the king his squad isnt good as kobe[/QUOTE]


this thread isnt about kobe vs lebron.

He was ridiculously good this series, it's up there as one of his best ever if not best, those stats are insane

The quality of the opposition's defense should be taken into account here. So I'll go with the '08 WCF vs. SA. That's excellent efficiency against a VERY good defensive team and from what I recall, majority of the games came down to the wire and Kobe came up big every time. I also don't remember his cast doing a whole lot in that series.

the man is amazing. :applause:

Of those series mentioned above I would have to go with 2001 WCF against the Spurs.

If fans can remember the duo of Duncan & Robinson always did a pretty good job on Shaq & if not for Kobe in some of those series the Lakers would have struggled.

If there was a playoff MVP Kobe could have laid cliam to it for what he did to the Spurs especially in the WCF.

Of those mentioned 2001 Spurs.

[QUOTE=OnceInADECADE]i am not gonna hate but lebron has had a way better series then kobe sorry. n its to bad 4 the king his squad isnt good as kobe[/QUOTE]

We'll how much different his numbers look when he isnt LeIso'ing all game and is put in a real offense.

[QUOTE]Of those series mentioned above I would have to go with 2001 WCF against the Spurs.

If fans can remember the duo of Duncan & Robinson always did a pretty good job on Shaq & if not for Kobe in some of those series the Lakers would have struggled.

If there was a playoff MVP Kobe could have laid cliam to it for what he did to the Spurs especially in the WCF.

Of those mentioned 2001 Spurs.[/QUOTE]

I agree with this

07 vs. suns (or was it 06?) when he took them to 7 games was easily the best to me.

2008 WCF against Spurs was amazingly efficient for Kobe. Despite Low volume stats.

I think he only got to the free throw line a total of 11 times spread across 5 games.

In 2002 he posted nice stats vs. Spurs but was a maniac in the clutch. Had a fourth quarter where he outscored the Spurs, then next game hit the game winner and then next game had a huge second half. That series was easily going 7 games if he didn't completely snatch away those games in the fourth quarters.

bump

04 Finals.

2002 Finals

26.8/5.8/5.3/1.5/0.8 on 51%/55%/81%/62.3% TS :eek:

Hard to say Indian man and fatal both make points that i agree with .. Id also rank the 10 sun with those two series, his shooting was beyond phenomenal and they way he clinched the series with those 2 ridiculously difficult shots had people dumbfounded.

[QUOTE=laronprofit9]2010 vs PHX Suns is my answer btw.[/QUOTE]
IMO, too

[QUOTE=TryToBeUnbias]Hard to say Indian man and fatal both make points that i agree with .. Id also rank the 10 sun with those two series, his shooting was beyond phenomenal and they way he clinched the series with those 2 ridiculously difficult shots had people dumbfounded.[/QUOTE]

The Spurs series in '08 is definitely in his top 3. He took it to the defending champs, and beat them as far and away the best player in that series.

He shot 53% the entire series against one of the best defensive teams of the decade just coming off a championship the previous year.

His volume stats are lower than the other playoff series of his career. It is attributed to the fact Kobe only had 11 FTA the entire series, which comes out to just over 2 FTA per game. That is really low for a superstar. Pace might also have to due with it as well.

But...but... Kobe chokes in the playoffs :lol

Someone post Jordan's greatest playoff series.

And has anyone noticed that Kobe greatest playoff series have none in the finals? While most of MJ's best series and games are from the finals.

[QUOTE=KG5MVP]Someone post Jordan's greatest playoff series.

And has anyone noticed that Kobe greatest playoff series have none in the finals? While most of MJ's best series and games are from the finals.[/QUOTE]
:facepalm don't ruin a good thread retard.

[QUOTE=KG5MVP]Someone post Jordan's greatest playoff series.

And has anyone noticed that Kobe greatest playoff series have none in the finals? While most of MJ's best series and games are from the finals.[/QUOTE]

Fail

2009 NBA Finals Kobe Bryant vs Orlando Magic

32.4 ppg 5.6 rpg 7.4 apg 43%fg 36%3P 84%FT

[QUOTE=KG5MVP]Someone post Jordan's greatest playoff series.

And has anyone noticed that Kobe greatest playoff series have none in the finals? While most of MJ's best series and games are from the finals.[/QUOTE]

2002 and 2009 are both great series.

[QUOTE=sagr32]Fail

2009 NBA Finals Kobe Bryant vs Orlando Magic

32.4 ppg 5.6 rpg 7.4 apg 43%fg 36%3P 84%FT[/QUOTE]

you call 43%FG good?


Michael Jordan 1991 finals:
31.2 ppg 6.6 rpg 11.4 apg 55.8%FG 50%3P

Michael Jordan 1992 finals:
35.8 ppg 4.8 rpg 6.5 apg 52.6%FG 42.9%3P

Michael Jordan 1993 finals:
41ppg, 8.5rpg 6.3apg 50.8%FG 40%3P

LOL and people say Michael Jordan is a bad three point shooter, he saved the best for the last

[QUOTE=KG5MVP]you call 43%FG good?


Michael Jordan 1991 finals:
31.2 ppg 6.6 rpg 11.4 apg 55.8%FG 50%3P

Michael Jordan 1992 finals:
35.8 ppg 4.8 rpg 6.5 apg 52.6%FG 42.9%3P

Michael Jordan 1993 finals:
41ppg, 8.5rpg 6.3apg 50.8%FG 40%3P

LOL and people say Michael Jordan is a bad three point shooter, he saved the best for the last[/QUOTE]

:applause: Yes Michael Jordan is the greatest Finals Performer of All-Time, and Greatest Playoff performer of All-Time, and Greatest Player of All-Time.

But this thread isn't about Jordan.

[QUOTE=laronprofit9]:applause: Yes Michael Jordan is the greatest Finals Performer of All-Time, and Greatest Playoff performer of All-Time, and Greatest Player of All-Time.

But this thread isn't about Jordan.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for acknowledging that.

Now let's go back to Kobe :applause: :applause:

[QUOTE=KG5MVP]you call 43%FG good?


Michael Jordan 1991 finals:
31.2 ppg 6.6 rpg 11.4 apg 55.8%FG 50%3P

Michael Jordan 1992 finals:
35.8 ppg 4.8 rpg 6.5 apg 52.6%FG 42.9%3P

Michael Jordan 1993 finals:
41ppg, 8.5rpg 6.3apg 50.8%FG 40%3P

LOL and people say Michael Jordan is a bad three point shooter, he saved the best for the last[/QUOTE]

What Are you bringing up Jordan For. Obviously any body is going to pale in comparison to Jordan. That is the only way you can bring Kobe down to compare him to the GOAT. If you are saying his 2009 finals isn't a great series then you are retarded.

[QUOTE=KG5MVP]Thank you for acknowledging that.[/QUOTE]

And you wonder why you have 2 red bars? With posts like these you must be looking for more of 'em. I got you though, dont trippppp.

[QUOTE=KG5MVP]Thank you for acknowledging that.

Now let's go back to Kobe :applause: :applause:[/QUOTE]


Why do you like being known as a clown idiot?

It must be funny to you...And gives your life completeness.

If you like trolling this forum for fun...Power to you...But it aint a good look.

[QUOTE=KG5MVP]you call 43%FG good?


Michael Jordan 1991 finals:
31.2 ppg 6.6 rpg 11.4 apg 55.8%FG 50%3P

Michael Jordan 1992 finals:
35.8 ppg 4.8 rpg 6.5 apg 52.6%FG 42.9%3P

Michael Jordan 1993 finals:
41ppg, 8.5rpg 6.3apg 50.8%FG 40%3P

LOL and people say Michael Jordan is a bad three point shooter, he saved the best for the last[/QUOTE]

Four defensive ratings

104.2
105.0
106.7
101.9

Take a wild guess which one is the team Kobe faced

In fact, how many playoff teams did Jordan face that came even close to matching the defensive efficiency of the early 2000s Spurs, the 2004 Pistons or 2008 Celtics?

Jordan should have better efficiency numbers. He consistently faced weaker defensive teams.

[QUOTE=Yao Ming's Foot]Four defensive ratings

104.2
105.0
106.7
101.9

Take a wild guess which one is the team Kobe faced

In fact, how many playoff teams did Jordan face that came even close to matching the defensive efficiency of the early 2000s Spurs, the 2004 Pistons or 2008 Celtics?

Jordan should have better efficiency numbers. He consistently faced weaker defensive teams.[/QUOTE]

this.

not trying to take awayy anything from MJ but he played in a weak era. MJ would probably put up the same numbers as Kobe if he played in today's era.

Night in and night out Kobe has to face very athletic guards and stars...where MJ had to face a couple. It takes a toll on you when you play against great defenders and defenses night in and night out.


After a tough game, I want to be playing against a scrub the next night or game.

[QUOTE=OnceInADECADE]i am not gonna hate but lebron has had a way better series then kobe sorry. n its to bad 4 the king his squad isnt good as kobe[/QUOTE]

lol you are lebanned

[QUOTE=laronprofit9]
[B]2010 3rd Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs Phoenix Suns[/B]

33.7ppg 7.2 rpg 8.3 apg 52%fg 43%3P 88%FT[/QUOTE]

This one pretty much stands out to me, at least statistically.... major numbers. I watched that series ofcourse, Kobe really enjoyed playing that high pace run n gun Suns as Lakers beat them at their own game... lots of possessions and high scoring by both teams, except Lakers played defense... :P

Out of the millions of pics, you had to choose the sleeve *lose in the finals to boston* season and frobe. :facepalm

Might as well add these for good measure:

[IMG]http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/e/e/9/0/10.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i56.tinypic.com/23icug4.jpg[/IMG]

The 2010 Suns were the best team in the NBA and best defensive team after the All-star game.