The Hugh Hefner of this sh*t…
by Myles Brown/@mdotbrown
2002-03: Scored 40+ points in 9 consecutive games and averaged 40.6 PPG in February.
2005-06: Scored 62 points in 3 quarters against Dallas, the only time in the shot clock era one player has outscored an entire team.
Scored 81 points versus Toronto, the non-Wilt record for a single game.
Scored 45 + points in four consecutive games, the first occurrence since 1964. Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor are the only other players to do so.
Averaged 43.4 PPG in January, the eighth highest total in league history and the non-Wilt record.
2006-07: 4 consecutive-and ten total-50+ point games, both non-Wilt records.
2008-09: Scored 61 points in Madison Square Garden on 61 percent shooting, highest total in the stadium’s history.
Honestly, are there even any other candidates?
Shaquille O’Neal as we knew him faded away in 2005 and Steve Nash as we know him didn’t arrive until then. Unfortunately LeBron James was drafted four years too late for this discussion and Allen Iverson…well, don’t get me started on Allen Iverson.
Kobe Bryant became the greatest offensive player of this decade by mastering the fundamentals and principles of basketball. The aesthetic appeal of his scoring is not in its flash and flare, but in its sheer brilliance. While his remarkable athleticism was an advantage, it was also merely the complement to a completely sound game honed through a tireless work ethic. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to estimate that practically every shot of his that leaves your mouth agape is one he’s taken more than a thousand times. He can score from anywhere on the floor under any circumstances and is a criminally underrated distributor. Best offensive player of the decade? Psssh. The question should be whether he’s the best offensive player ever.
And to think that it all began like this…
While the mention of Michael Jordan’s mantra, ‘I can’t accept not trying’ has certainly become cliched, it was was apt nonetheless. Both in this situation and almost any other regarding Kobe’s scoring mentality. Shaq acknowledged that the 18 year old Bryant was the only Laker with the ‘guts to take those shots’ on that fateful evening in Utah and it is worth noting that such failures have crippled the confidence of countless others.
But to some, despite his growth, this was an early indication of his Achilles heel . To some, despite proving himself to be an uncontainable offensive force, Kobe Bryant limited himself with his uncontainable ego. Much was made of his indomitable will, but that will is also what drove him into triple teams and turnovers. To some, his need for personal glory superseded what was required for team success.
However the fact of the matter is that he is capable of things most cannot even imagine, much less accomplish. Can you blame him for trusting himself more than his teammates? Well, in some instances, yes. His shameless performance in the 2004 NBA Finals cost the Lakers a ring and the ensuing fallout has been well documented. His epic scoring binges while seemingly necessary, were not always conducive to the development of his teammates. Instead of empowering them, his greatness was a repellent. Whether he-and Phil-were right or not, his play clearly stated that no one else was worth sharing the ball with.
Now that the burden has been lightened and he’s back to his winning ways, these arguments may not be as prevalent, but the divide remains. For every fan who incredulously exclaims ‘How did he make that?’ there is a critic wondering ‘Why didn’t he pass it?’. Of course a host of other issues have contributed to his likability-or lack thereof-that influence our perception of his decision making, but ultimately the only thing that matters is that we all watch.
Because like it or not, when it comes to putting the ball in the basket, no one has been better than Kobe Bryant.
Ever.
***
For more Decade Awards, check out the archive.
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I think there can be NO debate the Kobe is the most versatile scorer in the history of th NBA. That’s just obvious.
But, is he the most effective?
Is he really more effective than Wilt or Kareem? Hell, I wonder if he’s more effective than Shaq.
I don’t think so. Those players were more unstoppable, they caused greater shifts in defensive schemes, and ultimately, they had a larger impact on the games of their teammates by their presence.
In my opinion.
Kobe was more complete on offense than the three guys I names, but that doesn’t make him a better offensive player for his era.
I agree with you on Shaq and Wilt as far as free throws, although I noticed you left out Kareem, who is neck and neck with Wilt as the best scorer in league history.
However, I disagre with you about whether Wilt and Shaq created for teammates. Shaq regularly averaged just as man assists or close to as many assists as Kobe when he was in his prime. Right abut 4 to 5 a game. Plus, Shaq made the careers of players like Rick Fox, Dennis Scott and, even, Derek Fisher. He created open looks for them. He allowed them to shine in ways that Kobe was never able to duplicate.
For his part, Wilt once led the league in assists at better than 8 a game, and he still grabbed 20 boards and had a pretty nice scorin average. Plus, while Wilt has a rep as a ball hog who never made players better, I think that’s false. Clearly he made the game easier for other players.
Kareem did all of these things as well. No, none of this big guys were the facillitators who ran the offense like Kobe once did in LA, but they created opportunites by the way they played in the post. They opened up space, opened up shots and ultimately made things. It’s still a big man’s game. If you have a dominant big man, you have something special.
Lebron = a willing scorer
But, I don’t think that made Kobe or Jordan more effective than Wilt, Kareem or Shaq.
Jordan gets the nod over those three players because he was the undisputed man on six teams that won championships. Since people use championships to determine greatness, Jordan gets the nod, although I would argue that Kareem’s rings and Wilt’s ring were just as impressive even if their weren’t as many of them.
Centers are more dependent on other players to get them touches, but they also are better at making things easier for other players than a dominant swingman, in my opinion. The kind of shift needed to deal with a big man who can score effectively close to the basket from a variety of angles puts way more pressure on a defense. I think Kobe and Jordan’s decisions to get in the post later in their careers are proof that they realize that it’s much easier to effectively put pressure on a defense when you start from closer in. The more pressure you put on a defense, the more effective you will be.
I don’t think Kobe or Jordan were more effective scorers than Wilt or Kareem. They may have been more effective than Shaq, particularly Jordan, but even that is debatable.
Check out Oscar Robertson autobiography for some info on Kareem. Also check out some of his stats, particularly in the playoffs with the Bucks.
He was a beast. I’ve read a couple of other random books with players who played with him discussing his scoring, and it was like he picked up right where Wilt left off, and he was battling with Wilt and Russell in the twillight of their careers.
Honestly, I think Kareem is one of the most underrated players in NBA history. And I think that is connected to his conversion to Islam, and his suspicion of the media.
Do you realize the talent concentration that results from having eight teams compared to 32 teams? Do you understand how different life was before the salary cap? Sure, players today are better physically, but back in the day, that talent was much more concentrated. Only the best of the best made it once you controlled for racism.
However, those folks who said that Kareem didn’t battle anyone need to get on their basketball history. Kareem was going through a lot of talented centers even if he wasn’t battling Wilt and Russell.
Just saying. He corrected the problem eventually, but it was a problem early in his career.
Against the rules mj played?, i sincerely doubt it.
Off this decade i think he is the best scorer but most off al he was the most consistent scorer.
Lebron and d-wade came to late, Iverson lasted only a couple years and same goes for shaq.
Was he more skilled than mj?, probably yes.
But unlike mj he wasn’t unstoppable, see 2008 finals against boston and 2004 final against the pistons.
In his prime mj was unstoppable, the question was never can mj score at will? but rather can the bulls keep up with the opponent.
And the other thing what made a HUGE difference, field goal percentage.
Kobe never shot 50% for the season, mj did it like 5 times.
Kobe the most skilled scorer ever?, for now yes(in the future probably Lebron)But the best? NO WAY.
Put a “now”.
And then lets talk like we´re grown ups… before that hasnt happen it only brings me a very lame smile
Also, Decade’s Best Scorer (not offensive player) would be an argument worth having between Kobe and AI.
headband backwards?
Half the young cats coming up in the league wouldn’t have a crossover if it wasn’t for Iverson, Hardaway and Isiah Thomas. I appreciate the fact that Kobe studied Jordan’s game and then incorporated what was successful into his own game. That shows dedication and intelligence. I just didn’t appreciate when Kobe tried to adopt Jordan’s whole off-court persona complete with single hoop earring and floppy fisherman hats.
That was lame.
And I can’t believe that Eboy wrote what he wrote. Somebody had to have hacked his name.
I hate to remind you people that the boston celtics when it really really came down to it stopped KOBE BRYANT.
There was not a time when his scoring at will was needed more than at the finals against boston.
But did he really lived up tot the ‘greatest or unstoppable scorer’ that he was?
Mj wasn’t always unstoppable, but he damn sure was when he was in his prime.
Like my man jigga sad, men lie women lie but numbers don’t.
see for yaself.
MJ in his prime for example had a average off 41.0 point in the finals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Kobe at the other hand let his team go out with a record 39 point loss.
Come on now, no real unstoppable player allows that.
1) Comparing eras is a bunch of semantical bullsh*t. All that sending players back in time is pointless. The game moves forward. That is why we honor those who laid a foundation for the future. They could undoubtedly benefit from the progression of travel, technology, and x’s & o’s, but they didnt. It is not a disgrace to them to imply that someone may have improved on their innovations. Its like comapring a Model T Ford to a brand new S Class. The latter is obviously nicer, but wouldn’t even exist without the former. The same will happen to todays players. 2)Numbers dont lie. Intellectually dishonest people do. And to even try and compare the 2008 Boston Celtics to the 1993 Phoenix Suns is nothing short of preposterous. The C’s were the best defensive team since the 96 Bulls. Who was the Suns best defender? Dan Majerle? Danny Ainge? Richard Dumas? Gimme a f*ckin break…
Oh, and Jordan didn’t take over ever game. He lost for eight straight seasons people. It wasn’t until Scottie and Horace grew some nuts that Jordan started winning rings.
Remember, the Bull damn near went back to the Finals the one year Jordan set out for the season, and managed to get on the threshold of the Finals the next year with him as a shell of his former self before the rejuvenation in 96.
Scottie Pippen was the effing truth and if anybody thinks that any of the current Lakers are on Pippen’s level, I should slap the taste out of your mouth.
Get it right. Pippen is better than Pau and Odom combined. Top 50 suckas.
(0)Kobe has never shot over 50% for a season
(0)Shaq for example has never shot under 55% for a season
(0)Shaq routinely brought double and triple teams, resulting in far more open shots then Kobe creates with his playmaking ability
(0)Shaq and Co. may be horrible at shooting free-throws, but nothing hurts a team more then being in the penalty 6 minutes into the game
(0)And most underrated of all aspects, people loved playing with shaq this decade, they performed better with him on the court. You can’t say that about Kobe until 2007
See, it’s a semantics game.
How do you define “best?”
Most dominant?
Most effective?
Most versatile?
Most skilled?
Kobe is clearly the most skilled and versatile scorer of his era, and possibly of all time. At least to my eyes. He does more things better than anybody else. I remember when his handle was just ridiculous back in the day and he was crossive cats over like it was nothing. Now you rarely see it.
But, I don’t think Kobe is the most effective or dominant offensive player of all time. Hell, it’s questionable whether he’s the most dominant or effective of this era.
I think the argument has to consider dominance, effectiveness, skil and versatility. Each category carries weight, but if you are just ridiculous in one category it can cover up your problems in other categories.
With that said, I think Wilt, Jordan and Kareem were better scorers all-time than Kobe. But, after them, Kobe hangs with anyone.
But, you could argue that the unofficial quotas enforced during the olden days, along with the general lack of athleticism also affected those scorers.
Bascially, players gifted with amazig physical ability were consistently battling against overmatched defenders. Plus, the League had very little focus on defense back in those days, and the overall pace of games was ridiculous. Even the vaunted Celtics were a great defensive team mainly because of Russell’s shot blocking, not because of a great defensive scheme.
I was with you until the comment about Nash.
How can we argue that Nash was more productive or that is teammates were happier?
Based on what? Kobe has been to the Finals twice since 2006 and been to the playoffs every year.
Has Nash?
With the defections of Joe Johnson, Marion and, soon, Amare, are we sure all Nash’s teammates love to play with him? Hell Ron Artest damn near took a pay cut to run with Kobe, and Pau hasn’t looked happier.
But I do I agree with you about big men.
I said up top that I think dominant big men cause more defensive problems than dominant swingmen, and I stick by that.
There is a reason Hakeem won two rings without a player by his side of the caliber of Pippen or Rodman. The game was built for big men. Hell, most of the rule changes in league history have been to limit the effectiveness of big men, while give advantages to little guys. That tells you something about who is important.
January 14, 2008 Steve Nash, Suns PG 31% Jason Kidd, Nets PG 17% Kevin Garnett, Celtics F 9% LeBron James, Cavaliers F 9% Dwight Howard, Magic C 6% that should say something
Personally, I think that Kobe has still been more impressive than Nash on offense from 04 til today, but I can see your point.
MJ/Kobe
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30.1ppg/25.2ppg
33.4ppg/25ppg (playoffs)
5.3apg/4.6apg
5.7apg/4.7apg (playoffs)
49.7%/45.5% (FG%)
48.7%/44.7% (playoff FG%)
32.7%/34% (3-pointers) <-Is this where u tripping??
33.2%/32.9% (playoff 3-pointers)
32292pts/24432pts (career)
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So I’m just curious, how exactly is Kobe the best ever? Sure, he’s the closest to MJ out of everyone else. But I don’t know how you just proclaim him to be the BEST OF ALL TIME when you look at those numbers.
But i all ready see you try to downplay mj’s performance.
The thing is will you at least acknowledge that KOBE BRYANT couldn’t score at will against the celtics in the finals? that he indeed was stoppable?
I was only given a example with the 93 finals against the suns.
You think boston defense was better and tougher than the bad boys pistons? or the nicks off starks oalkey,mase,and the x-man etc etc?.
Really?, i would like the hear your explanation?
The thing is people on the internet act like scoring is nowadays tougher than the 90′s, which in all honesty is nothing but a joke and not even worth discussing over the net. Like i sad before, mj played in another era but it wasn’t the 60′s or the 70′s.
It was the 90′s where he dominated, so stop acting like he was playing against 6 foot 3 white boys.
This was a time where players where still playing tenacious defense.
So LEBRON JAMES didn’t score 45 POINT in a freaking game 7 off a conference finals against them?
And Derrick Rose didn’t score in his firsts ever play off game 36 point as a rookie?
I could go on and on like that, but i will give you the benefit off the doubt by saying that Detroit defense was equal to that off boston.
Do my one favor please, look at the number that Mj dropped on them please? mj was scoring between 30 and 60 POINTS against the bad boys and their Jordan rules.In 1989 he scored 47 points in game 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Detroit back then was also focus entirely on mj, he didn’t have no pau gasol or lamar odom type player at all. Come on myles, i am not taking anything away from KOBE.
He is this generation’s best, but mj >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> KOBE.
That doesn’t equal defense, most off this so called athletic players in the nba are some off the most horrible defenders ever.
I can mention names if you want examples.
Now, they wouldhave been able to hand check and be more physical, but I’m not convinced that Ray Allen and Paul Pierce would have been that much more effective on defense with the old handchecking rules, and I wonder how they, and Rondo, would have performed if the Lakers had been able to hold and grab instead of being forced to move their feet.
Here’s the thing with Kobe. In the past, dude not only wanted to score, he wanted to score HOW he wanted to score. He wanted to prove that he could score over anybody anyway he wanted, which was a weakness. I think Mike and others just wanted to score. And so they were more effective and better at it. Ultimately it’s Kobe’s ego that prevents him from being the best scorer ever, not his skillset.
Are you saying Pippen was wack? Come on now homie, you know that ain’t right. That boy was a beast in his heyday. An absolute beast. I still remember that Thelonious Monk commerical with Scottie killing. The one hand gather slam? That’s Scottie right there. The pull-up bank shot on the fast break, Scottie too.
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