<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">That brings us to the list: The NBA's best Kobe Stoppers, basically the greatest perimeter defenders in the league today. (And if by making a list of Kobe Stoppers we are in any way infringing on the trademark rights of self-proclaimed "Kobe Stopper" Ruben Patterson, we sincerely apologize for fear of being assaulted like his nanny or the guy who scratched his car outside a bar. Patterson is on team suspension for a verbal attack of Portland coach Nate McMillan.) Ron Artest:Well, first, along the lines of the previous paragraph, there's something about being hounded by someone with documented anger-management issues. Indiana's Artest has a fanatical desire to guard, and unlike most others on this list, he has tremendous size and strength. He's 260 pounds to Bryant's 220, for example. Andrei Kirilenko:No one blocks as many of Bryant's shots as Utah's Kirilenko, whose timing and wingspan are off the charts. No one blocks as many shots as Kirilenko, period. He'd have even more if he weren't so good on the perimeter that he doesn't just get to lurk near the rim. Bowen:Has he lost anything at age 34? Here's a quick story: Atlanta power forward Al Harrington scored 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting in the first quarter against the Spurs two weeks ago. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich then reassigned Bowen from Joe Johnson to Harrington - giving Bowen only a little bracket help on the backside as he fronted Harrington, who is 2 inches taller and 45 pounds heavier - and Harrington shot 0 for 7 the rest of the game, scoring one point. James Posey:After employing Bowen in Miami in the past, Pat Riley got Posey for the present. Largely unknown while playing in Denver and Memphis, Posey will get his publicity on a playoff stage this spring. Tayshaun Prince:Forget Tobey Maguire this is what a real Spider-Man looks like. Some would rank Prince higher, but he's still learning the tricks of the trade and actually got a decent amount of help against Bryant in the 2004 NBA Finals. (It was Shaquille O'Neal whom Detroit guarded one-on-one.) Trenton Hassell:He and Kevin Garnett on defense are the reason Phil Jackson assumes the Timberwolves will be back in the postseason. Josh Howard:Those four years at Wake Forest helped make Dallas' Howard the rare youngster who understands the subtleties of defensive positioning. Mickael Pietrus:He is the first international player chosen to wear Jordan Brand shoes from Nike, and brace yourself for some Lakers-Warriors showdowns with Bryant down the road and mid-air. Eric Snow:Cleveland's Snow was once cited by Bryant as ranking up there with Bowen and Christie. Darius Miles:A less intense, less dependable version of Kirilenko. Best of the rest:11. Shawn Marion, 12. Raja Bell, 13. Manu Ginobili, 14. Larry Hughes, 15. Greg Buckner, 16. Ira Newble, 17. Iguodala, 18. Paul Pierce, 19. Bonzi Wells, 20. Quinton Ross.</div> Source
I would have to say Bruce Bowen is somone ive seen who has given kobe the most trouble. That guy is inspires my defense!
Any of you who have read Phil Jackson's "The Last Season" know just how much Prince truly frustrated Kobe.
Kobe can shake Bowen any day of the week its just that he always fall into Bowens game instead of playing his own which really disappoints me. The best defender against K8 I think would have to be Artest.
Iguodala should be put up there. Just his athleticism alone gives Kobe trouble. Kinda hard to shoot over a guy who jumps higher at the same height.
I think AK47 does the best job against Kobe. His height and wingspan give Kobe a lot of trouble because even if Kobe beats him initially off the first step, Kirilenko can recover and contest Kobe's shot. Same goes for Tayshaun Prince, his wingspan also bothers Kobe.
