people compare players based on a body of work, that's what Clyde Drexler said to me To pinpoint a season where one player was playing meaningful games in a tough conference vs someone who played in an inferior conference and had great stats is fruitless. It's about body of work. The true greats were consistent and healthy and led their teams to championships. The pretenders 'just want you to notice them' they're gonna use their arms, they're gonna use legs, they're gonna use their sidesteps
TMac was never the defender Kobe was. He played only on one side of floor. Since he's in Magic, he's never a good defender again. A slightly better stats in leastern conference for one year doesn't make him a better player. Kobe's in all defensive first team in 02-03. He got 9 straight 40 points when Shaq was nagging his injury and Phil gave him green light to shoot. We all know Kobe's the better scorer from that day and he would average more points than TMac if Phil allowed him.
A few decades from now, Kobe will be remembered as one of the all-time greats while McGrady will be remembered as one of the all-time losers. Heartless gimp.
Might wanna fix those dates and fact's their buddy. Kobe never had nine straight 40+ point games when shaq was a laker.... In fact those didn't happen until 2 years after shaq was even gone..... I also believe the poster said t-mac would have been better if he had the mindset kobe has...which can be true to the defensive end as well, when t-mac wanted to he might have been one of the scariest perimeter defenders in the game but that 1/48 chance. (1 minute for every 48 played) I am in know way stating this as my opinion by the way, just clarifying some things.
http://www.nba.com/features/kobe_40plus_030221.html Or maybe you want to get your memory fixed instead. And defense takes energy, TMac never has the stamina Kobe has. We all saw how he played hard in Jazz series and ran out of the gas in 4th quarter. It's always easier said than done.
Can someone tell me why this thread has anything to do with T-Mac again? It is about Kobe making a show.
Anyone who disallows any comparison of pre 2006 TMac to Kobe is straight up obstinate. Looks like everyone here is obstinate. But hey we already knew this right?
What does that even mean? Body of work = 1st round series wins and how much Tinman respects you in a non-statistical way? You lost me when you said championships are a requirement to be a great player. NBA = team ball. I won't bother to delve into the 'Kobe/Shaq/Gasol' debate, which I have strong feelings about. Then you really killed it when you said consistent health is important to evaluating a player's abilities. Sounds like we could have an interesting discussion about LeBron, Sampson, Barkley, Yao, Hill, and others.
you created a thread about any of these players, the tmac fans will come in because they feel neglected. Kobe = Winning, tiger blood tmac fans=trolls, and 1/2 men
maybe people will hate me but: so game over, go to locker room, answers some questions from the media, and the go back to shoot jumpers, while the other lakers players are already showering, and getting ready to leave in the team bus to the plane or to the team hotel? Did all the lakers had to wait for kobe to finishing practicing and then shower. I mean if that was a home game, and everybody drives their own car, then its ok, I dont have a problem, but if all the team has to go in the team bus, and they had to wait for kobe? I think its selfish. If he wanted to practiced more, he can get 1-2 hours early for practice, and then do it. But this is just a thought, maybe he didnt changed and went straight from the court to the team bus. but doesnt the nba have a dress code? Even if you are going to the plane you have to go well dressed.
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/poll/_/id/24/better They were comparable at ONE point. Poll probably started in the early 00s and I guess people voted that McGrady was a better leader at the time... But yes, Kobe has had the far superior career BUT they once were comparable.
Kobe is an alpha male and Tracy had the follower personality. It is what separated those two. And in regard to Tracy's defense, he has always been good when he wanted too. I remember under Van Gundy at the end of games with the game on the line, it was Tracy on the Kobe's and other star wing players. Tracy was the best player in the 05 playoffs against the Mavs. He scored the points,dished the rock and more importantly locked up Dirk and Josh Howard most of the series. It's the will that separates the boys from the men and Tracy was a man when he wanted to be but was more comfortable being a boy. Kobe Bryant is a once in a lifetime player, not only athletically gifted but mentally(most important) gifted as well. Tracy had the talent but didn't have the killer instinct all the time.
Sure Kobe was a better defender than T-Mac, and a solid defender overall but I don't take much from those defensive achievements with the NBA's criteria. It's overblown.
Neither of those two will be considered a loser. Anfernee Hardaway took his team to the finals in his second year in the NBA. He had a career ending injury very early on in his career but had already accomplished more than what McGrady has accomplished. Grant Hill was a key part of a team that went to WCF last year. Mr. McGrady has been in better health than either of those two players and remained 0-7. Oh, he as had his chances. He is in an elite class all by himself.
