Kobe is losing his athleticism

06-14-2009, 10:04 PM	#1
DaDakota Contributing Member Since: Mar 1999 Posts: 58,040 Member: #331
	He still is a killer, but he no longer gets by people as easily, doesn't jump as high, and does not drive as much. I think this was his last chance to lead a team, he will still be very productive, but I think he is on the decline. DD __________________ Follow DD - on Twitter: DD's twitter extravaganza It is better for the Rocket's organization for TMac to sit. Young players develop, the team gets a higher draft pick, insurance pays his salary, and Tmac's value get driven though the basement.

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06-14-2009, 10:06 PM

TheGreat

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGreat

That dunk by Kobe is another example of how badly Kobe is declining athleticism wise. He barely dunked it..

Posted it in the game thread DD.

I finally agree with you on this one.

This is a good sign for the Rockets, especially Battier!

06-14-2009, 10:06 PM	#3
baller4life315 Contributing Member Since: Sep 2003 Posts: 7,333 Member: #13882
	LOL at DD acting like none of us noticed this during Round 2. __________________ PITTSBURGH STEELERS SUPER BOWL XLIII CHAMPIONS PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 2009 NHL CHAMPIONS Pittsburgh professional sports teams: 14 championships and counting......

06-14-2009, 10:08 PM

DaDakota

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Quote:

Originally Posted by baller4life315

LOL at DD acting like none of us noticed this during Round 2.

No doubt, but I thought round two was an aberation because of Battier, but it is pretty clear by the other series that he is just not the same player.

He is still very effective, but I think the Rockets may be the team to beat next year depending on how Morey uses his tradeable assets.

DD

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It is better for the Rocket's organization for TMac to sit. Young players develop, the team gets a higher draft pick, insurance pays his salary, and Tmac's value get driven though the basement.

06-14-2009, 10:08 PM	#5
Trackwell Member Since: Apr 2008 Posts: 218 Member: #31431
	This post was started 10 min after Kobe was handed the MVP trophy.... __________________ 22 in a ROW! Still a great season!

06-14-2009, 10:09 PM

TheGreat

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DaDakota

Maybe we should hurt Kobes shooting hand.

He will be done for sure then!

06-14-2009, 10:10 PM	#7
Zboy Contributing Member Since: Aug 2002 Posts: 7,005 Member: #6676
	If I were a Kobe fan, I would be more worried if he were losing the heart and drive to be the best. __________________ Anything you can do, I can do worse.

06-14-2009, 10:10 PM	#8
Sweet Lou 4 2 Member Since: Dec 2007 Posts: 4,199 Member: #28838
	Kobe's increase in BB IQ counterweights his decline physically to a degree that I think he is a better player than he was during his last ring. This Kobe won a ring with a lot less talent around him. That's a statement to his dominance. Physically on the decline? Maybe slightly. Basketball career on the decline? Don't kid yourself, he's better than ever. __________________ "I remember at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Shaq always wanted me to show him steps over and over." -Hakeem "the Dream" Olajuwon

06-14-2009, 10:10 PM

DaDakota

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Trackwell

This post was started 10 min after Kobe was handed the MVP trophy....

Uh, this is about him losing his athleticism, doesn't mean he can't play the game.

Context is everything.

DD

06-14-2009, 10:13 PM

#10

baller4life315

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DaDakota

Yeah, it's understandable that the Battier element might make anyone (except, say, LeBron) look older and slower. But to be honest, I really started noticing this last year during the playoffs. How he almost never drives anymore and how his game is all mid-range, pull ups and fadeaways.

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06-14-2009, 10:14 PM	#11
blink Contributing Member Since: Oct 2005 Posts: 362 Member: #16337
	wow, what an amazing deduction. we didn't notice it at all, glad you pointed that out. /sarcasm.

06-14-2009, 10:14 PM

#12

ymc

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DaDakota

Uh, this is about him losing his athleticism, doesn't mean he can't play the game.

Context is everything.

DD

Who cares as long as he gets the ring?

06-14-2009, 10:15 PM	#13
lalala902102001 Member Since: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,923 Member: #5597
	No doubt Kobe is on the decline in terms of athleticism. He's 31 after all. However, with his shooting and passing abilities, he can still be a very effective player (as in top five to ten players in the league) for another 5 years. He doesn't have to be the best player in the league for them to win. In fact Kobe hasn't been the best player in the NBA since a couple of years ago, and the Lakers just won a championship. This Lakers team is not a one shot wonder. They will be a championship contender for the next few years. Kobe, Gasol, and Odom are all in their prime and chances are that Bynum will get better. They may not be able to resign Ariza, which could be a big loss for them.

06-14-2009, 10:15 PM

#14

Vinsanity

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DaDakota

He still is a killer, but he no longer gets by people as easily, doesn't jump as high, and does not drive as much.

I think this was his last chance to lead a team, he will still be very productive, but I think he is on the decline.

DD

He may be losing it a bit, but he wants it more, has more drive, and works harder than any player on the planet so that pretty much makes up for it. I predict 2 more championships for him, maybe 3 more.

06-14-2009, 10:16 PM

#15

DaDakota

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Quote:

Originally Posted by lalala902102001

No doubt Kobe is on the decline in terms of athleticism. He's 31 after all. However, with his shooting and passing abilities, he can still be a very effective player (as in top five to ten players in the league) for another 5 years. He doesn't have to be the best player in the league for them to win. In fact Kobe hasn't been the best player in the NBA since a couple of years ago, and the Lakers just won a championship.

This Lakers team is not a one shot wonder. They will be a championship contender for the next few years. Kobe, Gasol, and Odom are all in their prime and chances are that Bynum will get better. They may not be able to resign Ariza, which could be a big loss for them.

I agree with your take about Kobe.....but I think this is it for LA.....Odom will be gone, Ariza maybe too....

I think they had to win this year....

Next year the Rockets are going to be RIGHT THERE.

DD

06-14-2009, 10:17 PM	#16
UrlPerlMonroe Rookie Since: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,066 Member: #29133
	Kobe is doing a Jordan. As much as I dislike him as a player he sure ain't lazy!

06-14-2009, 10:17 PM	#17
TheMacster Member Since: Apr 2009 Posts: 95 Member: #40249
	ROFL he's been playing for a whole year, once he gets the summer to rest. He'll be ready again, athletically he's declined but as a player he hasn't. LO has already said he is willing to take a paycut and unless someone offers ARIZA rape money, he's not leaving L.A.

06-14-2009, 10:17 PM

#18

lastmanstanding

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ymc

Who cares as long as he gets the ring?

Easy there Kobe's fan. If you actually read the posts, DD said that his diminishing athleticism will help the Rockets.

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06-14-2009, 10:18 PM	#19
BrooksBall Contributing Member Since: Jul 2007 Posts: 13,809 Member: #24539
	He was league MVP a year ago and he just won a Finals MVP a few minutes ago. Jordan was the MVP of 3 championship teams between the ages of 33-35. Oscar Robertson won his first and only championship at the age of 32. This Lakers team wasn't built for a one and done. They may not win another championship but they will certainly be among the contenders for the next few years. Kobe is 30 going on 31. A lot of players excel well into their 30s even after a decline in athleticism. Kobe is not a low IQ, unskilled player so he doesn't fully depend on his athleticism to be successful. He is also reported to have tremendous work ethic. I wish it was true, DaDa, but I just don't buy it. Kobe and the Lakers aren't going anywhere any time soon. If we want to win a title in the next few years, the path very well may go through L.A.

06-14-2009, 10:19 PM	#20
TheGreat Member Since: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,731 Member: #31451
	Oh by the way DD, Kobe won a championship shooting 43% from the field. He is there best player as well. I believe you said you can never win a championship when your top player is inefficient. Explain.

Kobe is losing his athleticism

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