Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 12:58 pm  |  128 responses

Decade’s Best: Offensive Player

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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  • http://www.michaelcho.com M Cho

    That last “Ever.” is gonna generate a TON of comments on this post all by itself.

  • http://myspace.com/rsaenz24 RoG23

    Obvious choice. I would probably say ai 2nd. But not even close. Kobe stayed healthy and consitent on the offensive end. Ais last couple seasons ended this discussion

  • BeeBopLIVE

    I agree totally no1 is better offensively than kobe bean bryant

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    The debate is whether versatility outweighs effectiveness.
    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.

  • Captain Jean Luc-Picard

    of course its Kobe…smh

  • Justin

    “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.”

    That’s absurd. lol

  • http://www.mybleedingfingertips.blogspot.com/ Myles Brown

    That was what I was getting at re: versatility v. effectiveness. Shaq and Wilt were monsters, but they couldn’t make their free throws and thus weren’t as much of an option in the latter stages of a game. And like every other center, they were chained to the basket and entirely dependent on teammates to get them the ball. They didnt create for others as well either. Id rather have a player with greater range, an ability to create for himself and others, and all the other things that go along with choosing a player like Jordan or Kobe over a Wilt or Shaq. in those respects, versatility trumps effectiveness.

  • http://slamonline.com/ niQ

    I can’t disagree. Kobe has been one of the most prolific scorers of this decade. But keep in mind Kobe’s first 2 seasons he didn’t get much shine. Averaging around 8 ppg and 15 ppg. If Lebron continue’s being Lebron, he may very well surpass Kobe in the future. As people have said over and over, Kobe is now, Lebron is the future.

  • http://slamonline.com/ niQ

    And if you’re talking about versatility well, it doesn’t get more versatile than Lebron.

  • d.j.

    lebron is better than kobe now, was better last year and the year before, and will surpass kobe in every stat line by the time he finishes his career, so yall can start hating on that now….

  • http://slamonline.com Brad Long

    You know what’s crazy about Kobe’s passing? If you put together a list of the top 10 plays in Kobe’s career ever, 2 at least would have to be passes. The lob he threw to Shaq in Game 7 against the Blazers and the spinning over the shoulder pass he threw to Gasol last year in game 5. I’m not sure anyone else could’ve made that pass.

  • http://www.sixers.com 360vue

    Can someone help me out here? I can’t detect whether d.j. was being serious or what? Anyway, nice article

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    I agree.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Myles
    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.

  • http://www.runninglikwidworks.com Mr. RLW

    360vue, I don’t know the man (dj), but I will step up and say, I think he was definitely serious.

    This was a very good article, because it’s good to be able to read over a list of offensive accomplishments like this all in one place. No disrespect at all, but like another poster said, this was a no-brainer. NO ONE comes close. I look at Kobe, the same way I looked at MJ. I was not a fan of either, but I respected them for the ultimate greatness they both possess. As usual, someone found a way to slide Lebron into a Kobe discussion. Those two are completely different players. They are both other-worldly offensive players. But in my personal opinion, Lebron is a threat, because his game is built around scoring and getting his teammates involved. Like he almost HAS to have them both, because of the way his offensive game is structured (his mindset). Where Kobe is simply an assassin. And getting his teammates involved is something that comes off of his offensive prowess. And co-sign on the ultimate versatility in Kobe’s offensive game.

    Kobe = a violent scorer
    Lebron = a willing scorer

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Greater range is nice. It really is.
    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.

  • http://www.mybleedingfingertips.blogspot.com/ Myles Brown

    I hear you. I didnt want to discredit their capabilities as passers/creators, but there is a distinct difference between the inside/out passing of a big man and the distribution of a guard, i.e. bringing the ball up, drive & kick, etc. And I left out Cap cause Im not sure what kind of FT shooter he was.

  • http://www.mybleedingfingertips.blogspot.com/ Myles Brown

    I made a point to notate the “non-Wilt records”, because he was simply in a league of his own. Not that he was that much more talented than todays players, he just was ahead of his time. It was almost unfair and I think thats the source of the ill will he’s received. But had he played today, he wouldnt average 50 points or whatever ludicrous number he tossed out there. He be about as effective as Shaq. More talented, but about as effective. 30 & 12-15 I’d say. And not to avoid Cap, but I honestly dont know much about his younger self and it wouldnt be right to base my opinions on him from what ive seen past his prime.

  • tavoris

    I don’t think anyone can legitimately question this one.

  • http://www.sixers.com 360vue

    Where’s some relativity when comparing Wilt, Kareem, Kobe etc??!? For a start Wilt is regarded as the single most dominant player ever, 7’2 and he weighed between 250-300 pounds through his career, that’s unstoppable on a football field let alone the court. Kareem, 7’2 220+ lbs, came into the L when Russell had retired, Wilt was aged to heck. For both of them, the L was their oyster with almost no-one, if anyone, to even be able to even slightly challenge them for the majority of their seasons. Kobe is a barely over average sized guard in an era where the talent stack is as deep and stronger as it has ever been, and on average the physical development of the players has increased immeasurably too.

  • marvin

    Yeah, outscoring a whole team in 3 quarters? Bar none the best offensive player of this decade and generation if he picks up a few more chips! Drink the haterade fools!

  • jumpman3224

    Great article! I love the line about how he is a “criminally underrated distributor.” Kobe is a creative and gifted passer and it seems like forever Kobe has been dissed for not getting his teammates involved and panned for having lower APG averages than some other stars. The system that he plays in dictates that no one player is going to set the world on fire by racking up assists, the triangle has always been that way. He constantly leads his team in that category. Granted at some times he wasn’t the most willing passer, but as you said can you blame him for trusting himself more than his teammates?

  • marvin

    360vue makes a good point, not taking away from past all-time greats but this generation is stacked with talent, athleticism and physical ability. Current technology and knowledge has offered these athletes developments in physical ability and athleticism that 10 years ago would have been unimaginable. Add to the fact that players are building from the lessons that past greats have left behind on how to play the game and Kobe still dominates everyone on the offensive end? Even when defenses are built around to stop the guy? Discussion is over folks.

  • Jake

    That LeBron comment made me throw up in my mouth a little.People think Kobe is egotistical?Look at Mr.James.I would dare say he only passes the ball so much so that people won’t talk badly about him.If he knew no one else was watching I bet he’d chuck up at least 35-40 shots a game.

  • DJ

    I agree with the whole article, except this one sentence: “His shameless performance in the 2004 NBA Finals cost the Lakers a ring and the ensuing fallout has been well documented.” This is just bullshit. Karl Malone’s injury, Gary Payton’s ineffectiveness, and Shaq’s laziness all contributed as well. When Rasheed Wallace got hot, who guarded him? Slava Medvedenko, that’s who. If Malone had been there, not only would Rasheed Wallace have had some competition at the PF spot, but also Kobe would have had a reliable teammate to pass to. Gary Payton inexplicably lost his game during those playoffs, and so Kobe also had little help in the backcourt. Derek Fisher had a nightmarish season, during which he had shot 35% from the floor, Devean George was Devean George, and Rick Fox was way over the hill. In addition, Shaq must also bear part of the blame for the Lakers’ collapse. While Kobe was undeniably selfish and immature at many points in the Finals, and throughout his career, he always gave his greatest effort, in practice and in the games. Moreover, he played defense. On the other hand, Shaq was out of shape, and reluctant to rebound or defend; this chronic indolence on Shaq’s part was evidenced by the fact that Ben Wallace, formidable though he was, absolutely obliterated Shaq on defense, and on the boards (for example, the fifth game of that disastrous serious saw Wallace grab 22 rebounds to Shaq’s 10). Kobe Bryant, brash hothead that he was, was nevertheless utterly devoted to winning, and he could not stand the fact that O’neal never gave 100%, and so he took it upon himself, perhaps foolishly, to win the game himself, because it killed him that Shaq had such a poor work ethic, while Kobe gave everything he had. Thus, Kobe Bryant was not the only one to blame in the Lakers’ 2004 Finals debacle. Moreover, as the greatest offensive player of the decade, Kobe Bryant will always face the critics who cannot comprehend his greatness and drive, and when his career is over, he’ll have tens of thousands of points and a half-dozen rings for them to hate, as well.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Todd Spehr

    Ever? Myles is entitled to his opinion. He may not be right, but he’s entitled to it. Short list of non-centers who not only scored “more” but also shot better AND played against defenses that used their hands: MJ, West, Gervin.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Myles
    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.

  • http://www.mybleedingfingertips.blogspot.com/ Myles Brown

    I did read about 3/4ths of The Big O and gleaned some info on Kareem, but I still don’t that I know as much as I do about his contemporaries. And as far as that short list of non centers who scored “more”, Jordan is obviously the standard bearer, but if you honestly think that George Gervin and Jerry West were more complete/versatile scorers than Kobe Bryant, then I haev to wonder what you’re basing that on. Or more appropriately, what exactly are you freebasing?

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    No qualms with this. AI was the only legit contender for Kobe and he wasn’t really challenging.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    The people who talk about all the talent now, don’t really understand that at one point in history there were like six or eight teams in the entire NBA!
    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.

  • http://www.need4sheed.com Tarzan Cooper

    for a laker “fan” such as you myles, id expect you to realize jerry west is up there with any all time scorers. he could score from anywhere on anyone. and that was when they were allowed to play defense. unlike the past four years or so.

  • http://www.need4sheed.com Tarzan Cooper

    and if wilt played in the nba today, hed avg 45 and 20.

  • http://www.mybleedingfingertips.blogspot.com/ Myles Brown

    ….

  • http://www.mybleedingfingertips.blogspot.com/ Myles Brown

    “Any time you start talking about who the best is, you’re always going to have controversy. But Kobe is upper, upper echelon. I’m not talking about the top 10 [of all time]. This franchise has had a lot of good players. Absolutely the greatest leader I’ve ever seen would be Magic Johnson, and he was also the greatest teammate, but as far as skill Kobe is No. 1 on the list.

    “When you’re that great, sometimes people don’t want to give you the credit. But when Kobe walks away from this game, he’s going to leave huge footprints, just as Michael Jordan did.

    “This is a once-every-25-years player. Appreciate him while he’s here.”

    Surely a smug (insert explitive here) such as yourself realizes that I said Kobe could be considered the best scorer ever because of his skills and West made reference to those same skills in calling him the most skilled Laker ever. Including himself.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Yeah, have y’all forgotten that Jerry West really didn’t like to go left?
    Just saying. He corrected the problem eventually, but it was a problem early in his career.

  • ab_40

    well we got this dude called kareem who is number one in points scored EVER we got Wilt who got the best ppg in a season with over FIFTY and we’ve got wilt and MJ tied at 30.1 ppg over their entire career for no. 1 all time. is kobe on of the most versitale ever… yes. greatest? I don’t know I have not seen all the offensive greatness over the last 50 years worldwide but what he is is a great fundamentaly sound scorer. but greatest ever. I’m ready to say no

  • Hoodsnake

    Interesting. This article\blog just proves what Ray A said last week: basketball is a team sport

  • Dre JayAre

    Can’t disagree with one, while cases can be made for Mike, Wilt, Kareem, Iverson and LeBron for best ever. All of them aren’t limited beyond 20 feet. Where Kobe is just as effective inside that range, none of those players are as good as he is outside of 20 feet. That’s where he sets himself apart from everyone else. Equal parts ability to get to the rim, mid-range game and 3-point shooting. Can’t find another player like that.

  • john jackson

    Kobe the best scorer ever?, really?, could kobe put op those numbers in the 90′s?
    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.

  • Bomberharris

    Why does everyone bang on and on about Wilt and bloody Bill all the time? They played in an era of shorter, less physically powerful, slower players. Of course they dominated, they were massive blokes. Versus today’s breed of athlete, freakish seven foot bigs that can do everything including shoot the three, they would only be a footnote along with the rest. Do you think the celtic Defence from the 60s could cope with Lebron, or MJ or whoever, an Amare a KG, kobe? Half the players today could jump over most of the players from the 60s. So just forget about it.

  • Bomberharris

    Oh, and you think Kobe, MJ or whoever would struggle to score 100 in the 60s? I’d fancy eric snow to score 50.

  • Yassi

    scratch the (totally unnecessary) “Ever”.
    Put a “now”.
    And then lets talk like we´re grown ups…

    before that hasnt happen it only brings me a very lame smile

  • Jack

    I’m sure, although he’s not yet in his prime, Melo is going to have something to say about this.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Pardeep

    The onli guy that comes close is AI but that aint even close cas Iverson was scoring more off of god given ability and athleticism unlike Kobe who could score in every possible way. Best offensive player ever.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Todd Spehr

    If MJ is the “standard bearer” then that would presumably make him the best. Hmmm… also, what am I basing the West-Gervin-Kobe argument on? The evidence we have. That’s all. We’re talking offensive player, right? Sure, Kobe’s capabilities are, or were, enhanced by three important factors: 1) His dad played pro, and Kobe was around that life daily; 2) Kobe played in the lifting weights era; and 3) He’s more athletic. The other two were missing those three variables. It would be easy to presume Kobe’s just better, but we should judge them relatively – or based on era, resources, rules, opponents, stats, etc. Then, you could make a case that Kobe was the least efficient, offensively, of the three. Does that make him less of a player? Or not as good as the other two? No. I happen to think he’s better than both. But I believe we’re talking strictly as an offensive player.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com Eboy

    the stupidest comments ever written on the interwebs occur here daily. lol @ Tarzan saying Wilt would avg 45 and 20 in today’s NBA. Tyrus Thomas could put up the numbers Wilt did if he played in that era. Myles is right. There is and never was a player with more offensive skill than Kobe and I really don’t even think it’s close. If he got half of the phantom foul calls that MJ recieved his entire career Kobe would def have a few 50%+ FG seasons under his belt.

  • http://www.rich-imaging.com Dutch Rich

    Knowing that the point I’m about to make has little to do with the subject of this article. However, Kobe to me today is a freaking warrior. I never liked him much in the earlier yrs. But for the past 2 season he has not taken a break despite the finger injury. Never complains, and doesn’t opt for surgery since he realizes that the window for this team is now. So the argument that he’s a selfish teammate should be null and void from now on. He’s gotten AI warrior type status in my opinion.

  • http://shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ Tariqُُ

    OK, I don’t know if he’s the best offensive player EVER, but he’s definitely in the discussion. And as for the decade, it’s not even close. Someone mentioned LeBron’s versatility? I don’t think Bron’s versatility really makes him a great OFFENSIVE player as it does a great ALL-AROUND player. You can make the case that Bron is a better PLAYER than Kobe, but as far as scoring, Bron isn’t even on the same level. That should be fairly obvious, right?

  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    Or maybe MJ is the standard bearer because he was Kobe’s predecessor and the greatest offensive player before Kobe. Hmmm…Anyway, I specifically separated Kobe’s athleticism from his skill in acknowledging the former as a complement to the later. But the fact of the matter is that he has both and its silly to try and isolate the circumstances i.e. resources, rules, opponents, stats, etc. of their respective eras. West himself said that Kobe is the most skilled Laker ever. West was a Laker. Kobe is obviously more athletic than West. He obviously benefited from the games progression since West. So its not a stretch at all to assert that he is better than West. Which is why the man himself said so. But you keep on fighting the good fight.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    And that couldnt be the real Eboy.

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