Kobe edges LeBron as #1 player, Lakers have 5 top 50

Discussion in 'Los Angeles Lakers' started by Mamba, Dec 3, 2009.

  1. Moo2K4

    Moo2K4 NBA West Producer

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    Yea, it's called developing a jumpshot, becoming a good defender, and learning how to make FTs. If he can do that, he'll be golden.

    In all seriousness though, LeBron's good. However, he relies too much on that sheer strength of his. A good chunk of his points still come in the paint, and as shown in the past, if you can force him to shoot jump shots, you're going to give yourself a great chance to stop him. Sure, he'll get hot sometimes, but he's nowhere close to what I'd call a good outside shooter.

    His defense is also terribly overrated. People call him a good defender because of all those blocks he gets on the fastbreak.

    Speaking of those, I'm SOOOO sick of seeing those. Every time he makes one, it's the top play on SportsCenter, I can't fucking stand it.

    Anyways, back on topic. Right now, he's just a highlight reel on defense. To call him a good defender is an injustice to the likes of Ron Artest and Shane Battier. Those guys are good defenders, LeBron, at this point, is decent. He's not great, not horrible, and he's certainly made strides over the years, but he's still not what I'd consider a good defender. He's merely a highlight reel on that side of the ball.

    And then FTs. He's making them at a 78% clip this year, which isn't bad. I'd still want to see him get that in to the 80th percentile. He's made some adjustments to his FT stroke, which has helped him a lot, but he still has too many of those 4/10 nights.
     
  2. Mamba

    Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

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    I was referring to Kobe being the #2 SG.
     
  3. Moo2K4

    Moo2K4 NBA West Producer

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    Oh, my bad. In that case, I'm with you. I'd say at least 90% of people would still call Kobe the best SG in the NBA.
     
  4. rocketeer

    rocketeer Active Member

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    going by this season alone, kobe would be the top sg. but just going by who has proven to be the best sg in the league right now, kobe still has a little bit to go(and really, this season likely isn't going to show anything definitively. i feel like kobe had to pick his game up with gasol out, but now that he's back, he'll likely coast a little more to save himself so wade should have no problem overtaking him statistically. but stats aren't everything, so kobe could still be getting himself in that discussion). one game means very little.

    and as far as best player in the league? it's not even close. i honestly can't even comprehend why anyone could reasonably think kobe was even in the discussion. there is only one name in the discussion. which is why there is no point to even argue it. if you feel kobe belongs in that conversation, it really isn't worth me wasting any more of my time on it.
     
  5. huevonkiller

    huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

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    82games.com has Kobe with the best rating so far in the season (ahead of the other stars). He's locking people up. It indeed is an argument right now.

    In the playoffs he again had the best run out of the Superstars. We've already discussed how PER rewards blocks and steals also.
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2009
  6. huevonkiller

    huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

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    What do you mean this season won't show anything "definitively"? Are you trying to compare their careers, because Kobe is clearly better. Comparing them both from age 22 onwards, Bryant has more minutes at the same Wade PER, with better defense.

    If you're going to analyze them by just this season, Wade is in a horrible slump it isn't a contest.
     
  7. Moo2K4

    Moo2K4 NBA West Producer

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    I don't see what Wade has done that has made him surpass Kobe. Please, explain, I want to hear this argument.

    Wade has a broken jump shot, he's not nearly as good at the FT line as Kobe, he's a very poor on-ball defensive player, and still to this day relies too much on his athleticism and strength to score. His career is going to be short lived if he keeps that up.

    Kobe, even at 31 is, still a better defender. He's got a better jump shot, he's got more moves in the post, he's a better FT shooter, better 3 point shooter, hell, I think he may even be a better passer (and please, don't bring up assists, that has nothing to do with how good a passer you are). I just don't see where Kobe falls to #2 SG behind Wade. I just don't get it. So please, explain your argument,

    As for Kobe being the best player in the NBA, I want to hear your case for LeBron too. Kobe is still a more polished offensive player than LeBrick, he's a better shooter, better defender (LeBron is NOT a good defensive player, just a highlight reel), better at the FT line, better in the clutch. I can understand why you would think LeBron is the best player in the NBA, since a lot of people do, so that's understandable, I think it's wrong, but understandable nonetheless.

    But...Wade is not better than Kobe, and I want to hear your reasons why instead of just stating that he is.
     
  8. rocketeer

    rocketeer Active Member

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    i said that this season isn't going to show anything definitively because with gasol playing and the lakers winning lots of games, kobe is going to start coasting a lot more to save it for the playoffs so even though i expect wade to have better stats at the end of the year, that won't necessarily mean wade was better this season.
     
  9. Sex Panther

    Sex Panther works every time.

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    I'd be ok with you saying Lebron is better (though i say Kobe is still ahead), but Wade? c'mon
     
  10. Lost One

    Lost One ...

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    Wade is not better than Kobe.

    Lebron? I don't mind.
     

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