Top 50 players The debate about the best players in the Association is neverending and obviously pretty subjective, but that didn't stop Slamonline.com from taking a stab at creating a list of the Top 50 players in the game today. Who's No. 1? Why, it's Kobe, of course. -kb24.com Here's the article of Slamonline.com. This is a must-read. 1. Kobe Bryant By Khalid Salaam 8. 24. 23, 5 and 4 per. 81 points. Last year scored 35 per on 45 percent shooting. 3 rings. All Defensive team six times. 62 points in 33 minutes against Dallas. Voted at age 19 as a starter in the ’98 All-Star Game. Averaged 40 points in Feb ’03, one of only 3 people to ever avg 40 in a month. You get the point don’t you? Hope so because numbers-wise I could go on for two or three more paragraphs. But the reason why Kobe is hands down the best player in the League (and has been for about 3 seasons now and will be next year too btw) is because of his intangibles. He is beyond clutch. Able to take the pressure of game deciding plays over and over again. He’ll take the shot and win it, get the steal, block the shot, snare the rebound or whatever. He’s as fundamentally sound as anyone in the game you just don’t think about it because he can do the supernatural stuff too. His game has no flaws. Dominant handle, legit post game, strong rebounder, makes easy shots and degree of difficulty on the regular. Over the last 5 years who has made more amazing plays? Just think for a minute. The up and under dunk against the Knicks at MSG three years ago, the crazy long buzzer beater against the Pistons in the ’04 Finals, the momentum carrying out-of-bounds but still able to get off a soft runner to win the game against the Suns last spring—what else do you want? Oh wait there are about a hundred people who think it should be Bron right? Uh wrong. Yeah he has better shoes and LBJ is a supreme talent, a prodigy even. But so is Kobe. Remember he came outta high school too? As the first non-big man, remember that young’ns? Bron came to a perfect situation and was able to start and assert himself from day one. It was the Cavs after all. It’s Cleveland after all. No disrespect but Cleveland is always amongst the cities with the highest poverty rates, unemployment rates, etc. Put it like this. People in Detroit roll their eyes and say things like “hell no I would never move there, Cleveland is dangerous as a mf.” So LeBron’s ascension to greatness was unimpeded. They practically gave him the key to the city. Kobe on the other hand had to earn his way onto a veteran Lakers team. Eddie Jones was there, Cedric Ceballos, Nick at Nite, Byron Scott and of course Shaq. The LCL signed in the off-season and came with fanfare as a/the franchise player. Shaq was named to the all-time 50 greatest team during the All-Star Game. This was not the ideal situation by any means. The Lakers had eclipsed the 50-win mark the season before and were poised to do it again. They were a contender. Not to mention Magic’s shadow was looming, LA has no football team to deflect attention, the Clippers really sucked back then and Hollywood stars and faux stars crowd games as if their life depends on it. So here comes this skinny kid from the East Coast with arrogance only matched by his talent. He averaged 7 points in 15 minutes a game in his rookie year and the next year he brought his playing time up to 26 mins per. Not because they didn’t have options, not because they were a young rebuilding team, not because of anything. Only because it was apparent that this Kobe Bryant guy was and still is a transcendent talent. Also kill all the hate about Kobe pushing Shaq out. It was a mutual thing, they both contributed to it. And on the real Shaq started it more times than not. Yeah maybe they could have won a few more rings but they did get 3 after all. But oh well its behind us now. All non-Laker fans let it go please (and even Laker fans too. Its not like you guys don’t have championship memories that go back generations. Stop whining.) And no he didn’t quit last year, he just probably got tired of the hating. Can’t win either way so what the hell. Crazy yes. Acceptable, no. But do i get the reason why? yes i do. It was a big middle finger to the media and fans who criticize him for everything. They were overmatched anyway and went as far as they could last year. It was awesome if only for its defiance. In closing until Wade or Lebron actually start defending on a regular I won’t even have this convo anymore. Also I didn’t forget to mention the Colorado incident or Kobe’s off-court image problems or any of the extra stuff. I didn’t forget, I just don’t care right. This is about who the best PLAYER is. Nothing else. Overstand? http://slamonline.com/online/2006/11/1-kobe-bryant/ Man I hope they print this in the next issue.
That is a great article...i love it. Kobe is number one and has been since 2000. If we look at the games from the playoffs back then Kobe beat the Blazers in game 7 at the Rose garden with passes, clutch shooting, rebounds and defense. Remember. Kobe also beat Kings in game 4 at Sacramento. The Kings could of gone up 3-1 but the series was tied to 2-2. And then the ultimate series win against the Spurs...woo!...Kobe was robbed for NBA Finals MVP in 2003 when the Lakers cruise thru the playoffs. And now took the worst talented team in LAkers history to the Playoffs and took the SUns to 7 games......Until Lebron doesnt win 3 titles is consider All_Defensive Team player for six years...same with D-Wade....maybe I should start calling D-Wade ....NO D-Wade...hahah!
This is probably the best Kobe Article I've ever read. It touches on all the right topics, and leaves out the ones that don't matter. It hits on all the biggest points- Titles, Scoring, Defense etc. Like he said, he could've gone for 3 more paragraphs on Kobe's Accomplishments but he didn't have to. Cause we all know.
Actually, Khalid is a pretty good writer and this was a good peice, I'm glad Slam has him #1 (surprising since Lang absolutely hates the guy), but some points in his arguement are really weak. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh wait there are about a hundred people who think it should be Bron right? Uh wrong. Yeah he has better shoes and LBJ is a supreme talent, a prodigy even. But so is Kobe. Remember he came outta high school too? As the first non-big man, remember that young’ns? Bron came to a perfect situation and was able to start and assert himself from day one.</div>Lebron eclipsed Kobe's (and basically alot of other "prodigy") rookie year by a large margin. He not only rose above the expectations, he absolutely shattered the expectations. Being handed the "key to the city" (like Khalid says) at the age of 18 is not an easy task and regardless of it's in Cleveland or in LA, it's not a difficult task to undertake. Is he trying to say that, had Kobe been given the "ideal situation" like Lebron apperently had, he would have left as big of a mark in his rookie year as LBJ did? I doubt it. Lebron's game in his rookie year was much more polished than Kobe's was. Lebron did not come into a "perfect situation"; he was given the role of "franchise savior" without ever playing a single NBA or college game; that is not a "perfect" situation, that is perhaps the most pressurized and difficult situation one can imagine. Kobe Bryant had a lot of pressure entering the league as well, but no one expected him to succeed as much as Lebron because Kobe had Jones, Van Exel, Shaq, Ceballos, etc. Lebron HAD to succeed because he was EXPECTED to succeed. Not only did he succeed, he absolutely turned Cleveland's future around. I agree with Kobe being #1, but Khalid's arguement just seems lazy at some points. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Until Lebron doesnt win 3 titles is consider All_Defensive Team player for six years...same with D-Wade....maybe I should start calling D-Wade ....NO D-Wade...hahah! </div>Lebron does not exactly have Shaq in his prime on his side, now does he? As for all defensive team, Kobe is a superior defender to Lebron. And Dwyane Wade has already won one title, he only needs two more to catch up to Kobe, not to mention he has more years left on him than Kobe does. Wade single-handedly won Miami the title last year. I don't care how big of a Lakers fan you are, you have to respect what he did. He deserves all his credit. Edit: Sorry to double post, I was under the assumption that the others reading the thread at the moment would have posted by the time I finished my post. <font color="Red"> MERGED. -Trench</font>
Lebron and D-wade are the future of this league and Kobe are the best in the league right now. but, i have a question? if you put the 3 whitout mvp awards and championships,who is the best overall player then?
<div class="quote_poster">Pablo23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">That is a great article...i love it. Kobe is number one and has been since 2000.</div> He definitely wasn't the best player in the league in 2000. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe was robbed for NBA Finals MVP in 2003 when the Lakers cruise thru the playoffs.</div> I have no idea what you are talking about seeing as how the Lakers lost to Pistons in the 03-04 season and lost to the Spurs in the WCF in 02-03. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And now took the worst talented team in LAkers history to the Playoffs and took the SUns to 7 games</div> He took average team to game 7 of the first round? Guess what, LeBron took an average team to game 7 of the second round.
Let's not forget that Phoenix had a record of 66% and Washington had a record of 51% while being in the East. Granted Cleveland took Detroit to 7 games but the Lakers took Phoenix to 7 game's as well.
he brings up some good points, but I don't agree with the following <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He is beyond clutch. Able to take the pressure of game deciding plays over and over again</div> Kobe's clutch play is just downright overrated considering Wade, Melo, and Bron are all better down the stretch....a lot of times he makes wrong decisions in the clutch by taking bad shots....I still don't see why so many think he's the best clutch player when he's far from it....that title goes to Wade, HANDS DOWN. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Bron came to a perfect situation and was able to start and assert himself from day one. It was the Cavs after all. It’s Cleveland after all. No disrespect but Cleveland is always amongst the cities with the highest poverty rates, unemployment rates, etc. Put it like this. People in Detroit roll their eyes and say things like “hell no I would never move there, Cleveland is dangerous as a mf.” So LeBron’s ascension to greatness was unimpeded. They practically gave him the key to the city. Kobe on the other hand had to earn his way onto a veteran Lakers team</div> yes Bron came to a team with lack luster talent....so what?!?.......I watched Kobe play in his first 3 seasons, and anyone who honestly believes that he was better in his first 3 seasons than Lebron is smoking that rock....it's funny how he claims having talent "impeded" Kobe's progress, yet he gives him credit for his 3 rings (because of the same people that impeded his progress)....you can't have it both ways. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In closing until Wade or Lebron actually start defending on a regular I won’t even have this convo anymore. </div> Wade is underrated defensively and Bron improved and it shows if you watch him this year.
<div class="quote_poster">Laker_fan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Let's not forget that Phoenix had a record of 66% and Washington had a record of 51% while being in the East.</div> Well, like you said, Cleveland still took a 62 win team to 7 games.
I think Bron has improved in defense but more on help defense. He still cant lock down opponents and shut them down one on one.
<div class="quote_poster">Trench Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think Bron has improved in defense but more on help defense. He still cant lock down opponents and shut them down one on one.</div> Who can though? only Artest and Bowen have truely locked down players on on one. I wouldn't hold that against Lebron.
<div class="quote_poster">Trench Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think Bron has improved in defense but more on help defense. He still cant lock down opponents and shut them down one on one.</div> It's early ... but the stats seem to favor LeBron as a defensive player this season. Cleveland is second only to San Antonio in defensive efficiency (points allowd per possession). With LeBron on the court, Cleveland has held opponents to 98.2 points per 100 possessions (compared to 109.4 when he's off the court). Either he's doing some positive things, or his backup really sucks on defense. The Lakers, conversely, are only 20th in defensive efficiency as a team. And they've actually given up 3.6 points more per 100 possessions with Kobe on the court than when he's off the court. I'm sure this has to do with substitution patterns, though (I showed this to be the case last season in another thread). You could also look at the productivity of their counterparts (not a perfect measure of individual defense, but gives you an idea). With LeBron on the court, his counterpart has a microscopic 6.6 PER (as per 82games.com). With Kobe on the court, his counterpart has a 17.8 PER. Again, these are early returns. And they don't perfectly capture defensive performance. But it's certainly worth considering.
<div class="quote_poster">THE DREAM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Kobe's clutch play is just downright overrated considering Wade, Melo, and Bron are all better down the stretch....a lot of times he makes wrong decisions in the clutch by taking bad shots....I still don't see why so many think he's the best clutch player when he's far from it....that title goes to Wade, HANDS DOWN.</div> I can't believe there is actually some dude who still doubt Kobe for taking the last shot. Don't know where you at, but you need to watch the tape of Kobe murdered the Phoenix in game 5, twice. I mean TWICE! The one thing that separate most other players when it comes to taking the last shot is his ability to shoot anywhere on the court, passing when needed, can split double, triple team and drive to the hole. If he gets foul (note he's a very good free throw shooter), it's pretty much over for other team. However most other players have those quality: Gibert Arenas, D-Wade, Lebron, Billups, etc..but the different is Kobe has better killer instinct for winning the game and his unlimited range is superior to D-Wade, no offense baby! <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wade is underrated defensively and Bron improved and it shows if you watch him this year. </div> As far as team defense, Lebron and D-Wade is above average, especially Lebron considering his physical fitness, hopping ability, and quickness, he should do a great job with team defense. What we doubting him is his ability to play man to man defense. In crunch situation, I'm afraid Lebron isn't ready yet to lock down the oppositing best players. Same goes to D-Wade. note: VC pretty much torned him apart in every meeting. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">It's early ... but the stats seem to favor LeBron as a defensive player this season. Cleveland is second only to San Antonio in defensive efficiency (points allowd per possession). With LeBron on the court, Cleveland has held opponents to 98.2 points per 100 possessions (compared to 109.4 when he's off the court). Either he's doing some positive things, or his backup really sucks on defense. The Lakers, conversely, are only 20th in defensive efficiency as a team. And they've actually given up 3.6 points more per 100 possessions with Kobe on the court than when he's off the court. I'm sure this has to do with substitution patterns, though (I showed this to be the case last season in another thread). You could also look at the productivity of their counterparts (not a perfect measure of individual defense, but gives you an idea). With LeBron on the court, his counterpart has a microscopic 6.6 PER (as per 82games.com). With Kobe on the court, his counterpart has a 17.8 PER. Again, these are early returns. And they don't perfectly capture defensive performance. But it's certainly worth considering.</div> All your stat just proves one point, team defense. I think the most important aspect in team defense starts with your point guard. The Lakers alway had trouble locking down team because we have a huge hole at the PG spot, especially defensively. Asking Smuch Parker to play defense is harder than asking Santa Clause to smoke crack. For the Cav, they have a great defensive minded PG Eric Snow. He is extremely tough and that is a key to their team success on the defensive end.
<div class="quote_poster">Bobcats Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, like you said, Cleveland still took a 62 win team to 7 games.</div> You're splitting hairs man, the Suns' record would probably be a little inflated in the East (close to 60 wins). They both did well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe also beat Kings in game 4 at Sacramento.</div> That was actually Robert Horry with the game winner for your record books pablo.
damn. the haters even come to laker forums to bash kobe. how sad. just accept that he's the best player right now and dont argue. the guy is clutch and this year he is bringing his teamates into the games too, as his assists are rising.
<div class="quote_poster">kobe4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">All your stat just proves one point, team defense. I think the most important aspect in team defense starts with your point guard. The Lakers alway had trouble locking down team because we have a huge hole at the PG spot, especially defensively. Asking Smuch Parker to play defense is harder than asking Santa Clause to smoke crack. For the Cav, they have a great defensive minded PG Eric Snow. He is extremely tough and that is a key to their team success on the defensive end.</div> Actually, the Cavs defense has yielded less points per possession with Snow off the court. And the Lakers defense has yielded more points per possession with Smush off the court. It doesn't appear that they are the ones responsible.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It's early ... but the stats seem to favor LeBron as a defensive player this season. Cleveland is second only to San Antonio in defensive efficiency (points allowd per possession). With LeBron on the court, Cleveland has held opponents to 98.2 points per 100 possessions (compared to 109.4 when he's off the court). Either he's doing some positive things, or his backup really sucks on defense. The Lakers, conversely, are only 20th in defensive efficiency as a team. And they've actually given up 3.6 points more per 100 possessions with Kobe on the court than when he's off the court. I'm sure this has to do with substitution patterns, though (I showed this to be the case last season in another thread). You could also look at the productivity of their counterparts (not a perfect measure of individual defense, but gives you an idea). With LeBron on the court, his counterpart has a microscopic 6.6 PER (as per 82games.com). With Kobe on the court, his counterpart has a 17.8 PER. Again, these are early returns. And they don't perfectly capture defensive performance. But it's certainly worth considering.</div> Take into account though, that Lebron plays all but 4 or 5 minutes of the game, and his replacements are a mixture of Pavlovic and DJones, so they aren't exactly stalwarts on D. Also, when he's not in the game for garbage times of blowouts, so naturally, the defense is going to suffer during such a period.
