Kobe Named Player Of The Week

<div class="quote_poster">jealous? Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">i expect every player to play thier best every minute of the game everyday.
20+ points and 11+ assist nearly every game is amazing
65 and 50 point games are amazing, but thats 2 games.
Nash plays on a more consistent superb team ball. kobe plays a few superb games as a player.</div>

jealous? i really do not understand why you are hating on Kobe so much. Just accpet he is the best player in the NBA at this time. Why are you denying it so much? Nash is a superb PG, but he cannot take a game over. Can Nash win a game by himself? NO.

 

jealous, I respect you and your opinion. We all think differently, and we all have different opinions, but IMO, Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league. I can write a whole essay about why I think so, but I'm not going to. I'm just going to sum it up into this:

Kobe Bryant is the most unstoppable player in the NBA. The guy has the potential to heat up at any moment, and if you ask any defensive player around the league, I'm sure they'll tell you Kobe is the hardest player to defend. Whether it be driving to the hoop, fadeaways, pull up jumpers, mid range shots, or long distance three-point bombs, Kobe can do it all. I think if there's one thing we can agree on, it must be the fact that Kobe is the best scorer in the game, and one of the top scorers in the history of basketball.

I think what some people don't take in consideration is Kobe's defense. This year, his defense was lacking early on, but he's starting to improve now that he's gotten some milage back onto his knees. What I don't understand is how some people point out the fact that Kobe's team is not winning enough for him to be considered a top player. Well, you look around the league, guys like Dwyane Wade and Lebron James have tons of talent around them. Steve Nash probably has one of the most talented supporting casts in the league. Kobe Bryant though, is filled with a bunch of scrubs. If you give Kobe the amount of talent Steve Nash has around him, I guarentee you Kobe will lead his team into a championship. Kobe is doing the best he can possibly do with this roster, and quite honestly, I don't see how Steve Nash or Dwyane Wade can do any better with this roster than Kobe already has.

 

<div class="quote_poster">jealous? Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">you make no sense. how are my so called 'assumptions' false and you just tried to say kobe's mess up stats at the start of the season.
kobe came back from that injury when it was time to come back. and he played very well once he came back. your assuming he played worse when he came back than he would of healthy, but how do you know. your assuming. but what i know is i thought he would play worse than he did when he started the season, and in fact played good considering.

im not trying to validate the league MVP until i was saying how its not just stats, its leadership, and the MVP means the most valuable player to your team, and nash was that. and chances are will be again. thats not saying other people are not important to their team but it shows nash's team needs him more than other teams to be good.</div>

Well your assumptions are vague and ignorant.

Kobe did empirically play much below his regular average (around 22 PER; that's BARELY all-star level so of course his injury had something to do with that, fellow). And BTW, Kobe's PER is almost 27 with the more specific formula, so either way you lose.

The League MVP means one fits the ambiguous criteria of having to win X games and being a decent player. Other than that it means nothing, Kobe would have been the MVP last year if he had better teammates.

 

<div class="quote_poster">jealous? Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">anyway,
Moo2K4--you just used nothing but scoring as your MAIN reason why he is the best. how is just ways to score make you the best.?
T-mac is one of the best at hitting jumpers in peoples face, and if it wasnt for back issues would still have the ability to do everything you just mentioned kobe can do.
NO PEOPLE IM NOT SAYING T-MAC IS THE BEST, just using an example.</div>Fine, how about this: If you take Kobe away from this team, they don't win 20 games and they end up in the Durant/Oden sweepstakes. He is the reason why they win games. If he's not on the court, they don't win. Hell, when he's not on the court, this team can hardly find ways to score. And while you bitch about me only mentioning his scoring, that's really why he's so valuable. He's a great scorer, but to delve deeper into that, his scoring also takes pressure off everyone else. When he's on, the others can relax a little more and play their game better that way. Beyond this, another thing this helps is that he draws so much attention that others are bound to be left open. Beyond his scoring, he's a multi-dimensional player, unlike you're beloved Steve Nash. Kobe actually plays defense and does so very well (though this has been kind of a down year for him). Beyond this, he is a great passer and he doesn't get nearly enough credit for that aspect of his game. He is the overall best player in the NBA. He's good at everything and there really isn't a glaring hole in his game. Steve Nash, on the other hand, has no clue what the hell defense is. He never has and he never will. And lets see Steve Nash win a game single handedly the way Kobe has done MANY times, not just this season but seasons past. He can't. Oh, and did I mention that Kobe is clutch. He hit the trey that sent the game into OT against Portland a few nights back and then took over in OT. He hit clutch FTs down the stretch against Minnesota. Flash back to last year, the team was down 17 when he went off for 55 in the 2nd half against Toronto. He hit the game tying layup in the playoffs last year against Phoenix in game three, and then proceeded to hit the game winning jump shot in OT. I could keep going on and on and on, but I'm going to stop right there. Because if you can't see it by now, you never will.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">TopLake--you are wrong. Kobe is not a team player, he is just a player. that suns team is as good as it is because Nash knows how to lead a team in the sense that a team leader not only needs to score when needed to, he needs to assist, rebound, create for others, just as much as he needs to score.
and we all know kobe does not have the entire package like that. kobe can either score, or not score and pass a little, and rebound here and there. he will more than not put himself above others when it comes to 'creating for others'. the greatest player not only knows how to 'awe' us each season with great scoring acrobatics, but to do everything possible at the highest level above everyone else. to be the complete team player to better the enitre team to get them places.
And Phoenix has been closer to the title each year than the lakers will ever be again.</div>I'm sorry, but Kobe is a MUCH more complete player than Nash. As stated earlier, Kobe is a much better passer than you give him credit for. Hell, he averages 6 assists per game right now and is one of three people on the team averaging over 4.5 Beyond that, the triangle isn't even set up for him to be a distributor, but to be a scorer, yet he still is managing to get 6 assists per game. Beyond his passing ability (which you highly underrate), he at least plays defense. Nash doesn't. And his offensive game is far better than that of Steve Nash's. You can go and argue that Nash is the better team player (and as a PG, you should be), but to go and call him a more complete player is absolutely ridiculous.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe24bryant-- to me best player in the league is Nash.
because the definition of best player is what they are capable of doing in every aspect of the game combined.-do any of you not agree on that?
its not about the difficulty of shot they can make or how many points they can make in about 4 games a season.
its about the total package and what that total package brings to your team.
kobe could not lead the suns team to be the 2nd best in the league. they would be good yes, but not better than they are now.
to take it further, i would take Wade before kobe because of his total all around game he brings. all around Wade is better than kobe-and i know i will get nothing but disagreements about that. but watch the games and look at the stats.
if the heat were not plagued by injuries to the 2 best players on the team and the head coach then they would have an overall east top 2 team record. mainly because they are a 'team' with the leadership of Wade. Wade is top 5 in scoring and has 7.2 assist a game. that alone is more of all around player than kobe.</div>What in the hell are you talking about? Do you watch the same Kobe Bryant that I do? Let me run this stat line here by for you: 30/5.7/5.5. That is the stat line of Kobe Bryant. You are going to sit here and tell me that he's NOT a complete player? I'm sorry, but that's just plain ridiculous. There are only a handful of other players in the league that can put up that stat line. And mind you, but how is Wade better than Kobe? Because he led his team to the Finals? I'm sorry, but he had Shaq helping him out quite a lot. And don't you dare say it's because of his offense, because he doesn't even come close to Kobe. He has no real three point shot and his mid range jump shot is inconsistent at best. He's still at the point where teams slack off of him hoping he takes the jump shot. The biggest way he scores is by going to the hoop and getting to the line. If you can prevent him from penetrating, he's easily stopped (note the 1st round against Chicago last year). You slack off Kobe, he nails the jumper, you get up on him, he blows by you. There's nothing he can't do on offense. And again, the defense comes in. Once again, Kobe actually plays defense and is pretty good at it. Wade is still lackluster at best on that side of the ball.

I'm sorry man, but your bias and hatred is killing me. You make it blatantly obvious that you simply don't like him but you ignorant posts. Maybe you should open your eyes when you watch the Lakers play or something, because the Kobe you see isn't the one I watch.

 

<div class="quote_poster">jealous? Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">i expect every player to play thier best every minute of the game everyday.
20+ points and 11+ assist nearly every game is amazing
65 and 50 point games are amazing, but thats 2 games.
Nash plays on a more consistent superb team ball. kobe plays a few superb games as a player.</div>Again, I don't understand you. What must Kobe do to prove he's the best? Right now, he's averaging 30/5.5/5.7. What the hell is wrong with that stat line? He does a little of everything and then some. The man is leading the league in scoring AGAIN. He consistently puts up 30/5/5 on a nightly basis. I don't see where you see inconsistencies in his game. Hell, the last time he had under 25 points in a game was way back on February 8th against Detroit. If that's not consistent what is? I really don't know what more you could ask of a player that's already averaging 30/6/6, I just don't.

 

According to Jealous?'s theory, Nash is better than Michael Jordan.

Nice theory

 

I will repeat again...

Kobe + Marion + stoudemire = NBA champion.

Nash + Odom + Walton = Boston.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">That's a joke, right? As much as I hate Nash. Look at what Phoenix was before he arrived there. Hate on him all you want, but don't deny his skills and his ability to get the most out of his teammates.

Nash with Odom and Walton would probably be better than this Laker team right now because Nash, unlike Kobe, doesn't need to score to be a threat. This would allow Odom to be like he was in Miami, a main threat.

Some of you Laker fans have a disgusting vision that prevents you from realizing that Kobe isn't the only great player in this league and that Kobe isn't going to be the consensus best player in the league.</div>

well put.
i have my views of what makes a player the best, and obviously most of you have a different view.
i thrive on team players among all others. before the flashy one man team players or anything.
so maybe that is the only thing 'blinding' me but to me the way Nash does what he does with the team he is on is remarkable.
and most of you guys are taking what i say the wrong way. i will never deny kobe does great things, when i say something that would seem like i say he isnt consistent, really is just me comparing his consistency to nash. not to the others in the league but in this debate just nash. and nash's consistency for his entire game is more consistent than kobe's. yes, kobe can score consistently but the rest of his abilities are no where close to as consistent as his scoring.
and again to me that puts him out of the running to be the best.

and my 'theory' does not at all lead people to believe nash is better than Jordan, TopLake.
in my opinion as to what makes the best the best, Jordan excels in those by far more than nash does. jordans complete game was never seen before and most likely never will again.
but in todays game to me nash's complete game is above kobe's complete game and what each do with what ever team they have.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Nash with Odom and Walton would probably be better than this Laker team right now because Nash, unlike Kobe, doesn't need to score to be a threat. This would allow Odom to be like he was in Miami, a main threat.
</div>I have a question for you Mamba. Who's the coach of that Laker team? If it's D'antoni, sure, I could see it. However, if it's PJax, I doubt it. Nash thrives in fast paced basketball. I don't know how successful he'd be if he had to run the triangle and play more halfcourt sets than anything. Plus, I don't see Odom embracing the top option. He defers too much as it is and isn't as aggressive as some of us would like to see as a second option, and I doubt that'd change if Phil told him to take on the scoring load. Personally, I don't know if Odom could really thrive as a top option. And hell, even in Miami, they were still a balanced team between him, Wade, Jones, and Haslem. It's not like he wasn't getting plenty of help on that team. I personally think he could be a great player and a top option, but he just doesn't have the mindset to be one, and I don't think having Nash on the team would affect that.

 

<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">jealous? I find it ironic the reasons you like Nash are the same reasons you don't like Kobe.</div>

and what is that?
i like team players/leaders
nash is definitly more of a team player and is more consistent all around and leads his team to thier fullest potential.
kobe is not a team player and is best at scoring. and not as consistent all around as nash. and leads his team to potential playoff misses.

and the reasons i dont like kobe go far beyond anything i have said here.
all i have said about not liking him is that the 'hatred' has kept going up due to the fact fans of his rarely, and i mean like 1% of the time, see that fact that there is bad to the 'almighty, never does wrong' kobe.

but i have been giving my reasons why i dont think he is the best, not reasons i dont like him, so im confused by what you mean.

 

<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe is the definition of a team player, he listens to his coach, he's dedicated to his craft, and he can beat you in a variety of ways on the court.

Kobe has expanded his game every year he's been in the league. He can beat you from any area of the court passing or shooting the ball.

Kobe Bryant is not perfect by any means, but no one in the league is.

I also don't like biased fans of Kobe, but discrediting his accomplishments to bring him down to the level of Steve Nash is just as annoying.

Kobe Bryant is the hardest working professional basketball player in the league. He's a gym rat, he trains extremely hard and conditions his body based on what his coaches need from him. When he was asked to play the Apex of the Triangle as the small forward in the post, Kobe Bryant added weight and muscle to his body.

The past two years, he's been asked to become a quicker player in the attack position of the Triangle offense, so he dropped the added weight and worked on his cardio.

Kobe Bryant has always made his teammates better, and has learned to adjust his game based on gaging his teammates. If his teammates are hitting shots, Kobe will facilitate by driving and kicking to the hot hand. If his teammates are ice cold, Kobe will take over offensively. This is exactly what a leader does, and this is exactly what Steve Nash does with Phoenix. I'm not sure why it doesn't register with you, because you are regurgitating all the common misperceptions about Kobe Bryant.

I can't fathom how you can label Kobe inconsistent unless you hold him to a higher expectation than anyone else on the court. Do you expect Kobe to score 40 points every night? Do you expect him to be accountable for when his team doesn't show up?

The inconsistency doesn't lie with Kobe Bryant, the inconsistency lies with his supporting cast. Steve Nash has the benefit of playing with greater talent, more consistent talent. Just go down the lineup, and you can pretty much peg Phoenix as having the edge at every position head to head. Here's some perspective of how far ahead Phoenix is talent wise. Jalen Rose, who's been buried on Phoenix bench since he joined them, would have been the starting PG for the Lakers.

Another mindboggling comment was saying Kobe doesn't get the most out his teammates. Let me remind you the Lakers were leading the Pacific Division until the injuries started catching up with them. The Lakers were battling for a top 3 seed prior to the injures to their key players.

The Lakers also pushed Phoenix to the limit in last year's playoffs, when your favorite Steve Nash, made critical mistakes down the stretch of games. No one gave the Lakers a chance at taking Phoenix to 7 games, and this team was 1 rebound away from defeating them.

Kobe Bryant is the best two way player in the league hands down. The only player I'd put at his level is Tim Duncan. Both Kobe and Duncan can dominate an opponent on either end of the court.</div>
That's a GREAT post!! Kobe worked himself to get where he is today. It is not a coincident that he is the best as a result. When talking about Kobe, don't ever let your personal feeling in the way with your logical thinking "jealous?"

 

<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Phil Jackson isn't an idiot. He would make the changes necessary to satisfy his star player. That means he would let Nash run his style of ball. At least, I would hope so...</div>I won't call Phil an idiot, cause he most certainly is not. However, I don't see Phil as the type of coach that would really ever run the up and down game of Phoenix. He never has, so why would he start? I really don't think having Nash is a legit reason to do so. If Nash is so great, he should be able to get accomodated with any type of play, be it halfcourt or up tempo.

 

Kobe Bryant has said and done a lot in this league. He made mistakes just like everyone else. I myself used to dislike Kobe. I even thought of him as a Jordan rip-off. But nobody can deny his skills. The guy is simply incredible. He has made the necessary adjustments to his game which makes him more lethal. I may have thought of him as a Jordan rip-off. But hey, who better to copy right? Jordan is arguably the best player in the planet. Fact is Kobe Bryant is simply the best today. Not Lebron, not Wade, of course not Nash, and certainly not Mr. EGO himself, Arenas (he doesn't even belong in the same class as the others I mentioned).

 

You guys have many points as to why you think he is best in the league right now, but i have a different view of what makes a player better than the next.
i dont even like nash. not as much as i dont like kobe, but its up there. and yet im saying he is a better all around player than kobe.
i really dont let the hatred keep me from seeing anything about anyone.
i dont care for garnett but damn, he is the most efficient player almost every year and there is no denying that.

 

<div class="quote_poster">jealous? Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You guys have many points as to why you think he is best in the league right now, but i have a different view of what makes a player better than the next.
i dont even like nash. not as much as i dont like kobe, but its up there. and yet im saying he is a better all around player than kobe.
i really dont let the hatred keep me from seeing anything about anyone.
i dont care for garnett but damn, he is the most efficient player almost every year and there is no denying that.</div>
You have a blurry view of what is an "all-around" better player; you decide that by who you like most or detest least (etc.). Kobe is the more effective offensive player (compared to Nash) and plays some defense. You just don't like his "dirtiness". If the Suns run an effective offense as a team, it's also because the System inflates numbers; and this system suits Nash quite well (Kobe doesn't play in the Triangle as much as Nash plays within PHX system for example).