When the stats match one's observations, that's a pretty good combination. I watch quite a bit of Kobe Bryant (and LeBron James and Brandon Roy, since all three are among my favourite players to watch) and even with no PER numbers, I'd have concluded that Kobe Bryant has declined and that Roy has been his equal so far this season. The fact that PER validates that only makes me believe it is more likely. Where my skepticism comes in is whether Roy is actually this good or just having a huge half-season. I'm still no sure whether he can keep this amazing pace up long-term.
Well Pau Gasol was actually our most consistent player through November, but Kobe turned it up in December. He's gotten better every month and for the last 30 games he doesn't look like he's lost much. He was at pretty much 25 PER a couple of games ago, until that ring finger dislocation.
Heh. It's a testament to how great a player Kobe is/was that 25 PER does represent a drop-off. A few years ago, he was in the 27-28 PER range. He hasn't fallen off a ton, but at 27-28 PER, he'd be significantly better than Roy. At 25 PER, Roy is (for now) right there with him. Maybe Roy will fall off and/or Kobe will get better, but 25 PER seems more like Kobe's general level now. I would love for that to be Roy's general level too.
I watch half the games listening to the opposing teams announcers and all of them put Roy up there with Paul, Kobe and Wade (except the douche bag Cav's announcers). It's interesting to hear people who live in Portland say they are surprised to see he is in that company. Anyone who follows the NBA has him in their top 10 right now.
My two cents is that Kobe is still 95% of what his peak performance in his career has been. This year his dropoff in stats is just that there are so many quality players around him to share the load. Just think about this...the year Kobe was going crazy almost every game and had the 81 point game this is who he played with... Odom-- The ONLY above average talent besides Kobe Kwame--LOL, total scrub Smush Parker- out of NBA Sasha- when he still couldnt shoot or defend D. George- total scrub B. Cook- can he do ANYTHING besides make the occasional wide open jumper? Luke Walton- eh. he can play but cmon... C. Mihm- Just a tall white stiff, only played 59 games Turiaf- rookie played 23 games after heart surgery Bynum- getting next to nothing play time, nor should he have Mckie- wore a suit every game Medvedenko- youre kidding right? Von Wafer- too bad it wasnt the 08/09 version that team sucked sooooo much...and Kobe still took it to 7 games with the Suns
The stats are nearly equal, and Roy has played better than I ever believed he could this year. That said, Kobe is still a better defender, and as clutch as Roy has been this season, would you really (hypothetically, of course- and personal opinions about him aside) want anyone other than Kobe taking the final buzzer-beating shot for your team? KB is a flat MURDERER in the fourth quarter, and has ripped all our hearts out on a few occasions. Roy is getting there, but until I see some ice cold in the clutch PLAYOFF BBall from him, he ain't better than Kobe. You could make a case that he is playing as well, but if you have seen any Laker games, you probably wouldn't say better. Brandon is my favorite pro to watch though- I have never seen a smoother, more under control player. Plus that Hardaway-like crossover is ridiculous!
Anyone who doesn't cheat on his wife and anally-rape little girls is better than Kobe. The other guys on that list are impressive though.
http://basketbawful.blogspot.com/2009/01/word-of-day-kobe-effect.html Not necessarily saying I agree with it, just putting it out there.
Roy has yet to play a playoff game and we are comparing him to Kobe? Thank god this is a Blazer board . . . I wouldn't want other teams fans to see what us Blazer fans are talking about sometimes.
What do playoff games have to do with how well the two players have played this season, so far? I haven't seen anyone compare their careers.
Kobe was untouchable in the 05-06 season. I don't think there was anyone better, similar to LeBron this year and last year, imo.
I would argue that Kobe's numbers have declined a bit because he's finally realized that the best way for the L*kers to win is for him NOT doing it on his own. It pisses me off, because I always depended on his ego to ruin the L*kers' chances year after year.
