Here's the question. You are starting a team. Whom would you rather have, Dirk or kobe. Both are the same age. Dirk essentially can play the 3,4, and 5 positions and is developing fast. Kobe has a great rep but the question remains on how good he would be without shaq. Dirk could be the larry bird of this generation with more athletic ability. scary who would you go wtih??????????
I don't really like either one. Though I don't like Kobe a little more. I'd probably pick Dirk because of the multi-position thing. Probably couldn't go wrong with either, though.
Definitely Kobe, he's got the whole package, yes Dirk could be the next Bird, but who's the next Jordan, kobe of course, he can score and can play D when he wants, can make everyone around him better and he takes the big shots and could be a great leader when shaq leaves, what else do u need? kobe would be my choice!
Is this a real question? Kobe right now is at worst, the 3rd best player in the NBA. I don't know if Dirk will ever reach that level. And spare me the age thing, because Kobe just turned 24. While Dirk is what, 23 or 24?
I would personally take Dirk, because they are both great, but Dirk is much taller. kidrock8, your question about the age does not sound very intelligent since the thread starter had correctly pointed out that they are approximately the same age.
Bah. I'm just too lazy to read other posts. Usually, I can assume that it is an all pro-Dirk and anti-Kobe thread. Dirk might be taller, but what does that really have to do with anything? Dirk doesn't have a low post game. Kobe actually probably gets more points in the paint than Dirk does. If Dirk played "his size" then you would have more of a valid point. Fact remains that Dirk is a finesse player, no matter what the height.
Okay, let's see (based on last season)... Dirk beats Kobe in FG %, FT %, 3-pt %, rebounds (almost twice as many), blocks and he has less turnovers. Kobe scored (slightly) more, he has 3 more assists per game and (slightly) more steals. Looking at their past seasons, it appears as if Kobe has reached his peak. Whether Dirk has reached his peak remains to be seen. And please spare me the championships, I am relatively sure that a team with Shaq and Dirk would have a good shot at the championship as well. I'd still take Dirk (but everyone knows that I am biased, too ).
I think Kobe is a great player, Im not anti Kobe at all. In fact I like watching him more than Dirk. I just think Dirk is a bit better all things conosidered and wanted to see if anyone eelse did. When Dirk is grabbing 12 boards a game and his defense catches up, or at lesat improves, he could not just be a top 3 player, he might be the best. A 7 foot guy with actual 6'4 skills. They say that alot about guys but most really dont have the skills. I think his upside is huge. And its not like its just upside, he is already a top palyer.
Man... I picked Dirk just because I didn't like Kobe more. Guess there was a reason to it. Plus, if I were building a team, I wouldn't pick a player I didn't like, unless he was miles ahead of everyone.
You know people are really objective, when they hype up Dirk without mentioning his defense. In any case you couldn't go wrong with either player.
Are you guys forgetting that Dirk doesn't really OUTPLAY his man in the playoffs? He'll get his 20 or so a game, as well as giving up 20. I don't think anyone can say that Kobe gets outplayed, or even gets played to a draw from any 2-guard in the league. Fact remains that Kobe is the best 2-guard in the NBA. Does Dirk have a position? He's not the best SF or the best PF in the league...
True, Dirk is not a great defender yet. But I remember that they criticized him for a lot of other stuff in the beginning of his career as well and he managed to improve it all. I would not be too surprised if he became a much better defender than he was last season already starting this season. I'll just try to get them both onto my fantasy basketball team this season (although I really dislike Kobe...).
Do you remember that Dirk thoroughly outplayed someone called Kevin Garnett last year in the playoffs? Yes, he had a (relatively) bad series afterwards against the Kings, but I think the main factor for the Kings' wins was outstanding play of their point guards and Divac which are not exactly the players Dirk was matched up against most of the time... Hmm...ok...who is better? Garnett? Does he have a position? You could argue that Duncan is a better PF (or C - does he have a position? ), but let's see about that after next season.
Kobe might be a good defender now, but the guy is on a good all around defensive team which at least helps a little bit. Dirk is pretty much the equal of Kobe now. I think its fair to say that. Dirk also has alot of room to improve. If he was pulling down 12 boards and had good defense. He and Duncan would be the same, Dirk actually probably a bit better, assuming his D improves
Nitwitz is lifetime 43% is 18 games in the playoffs. If you take out his useless, garbage-time 42 pt game when they got sent home 4-1 in a 20pt loss against the Spurs in 2001, he's worse. He is a 2nd round shooter at 40%. Webber crushed him. In 2nd round series he sucks, just like Peja. Peja is a career playoff 38.8% shooter in 28 games. These two are getting shut down come playoff time. Kobe does not get shut down. Kobe takes over 4th quarters. Kobe is a 1st Team defender. Kobe is younger. This really is like comparing Kiki Vandeweghe to Michael Jordan. Don't even disrespect Larry Bird by saying Nitwitz can run an offense like that. <b>Not even close.</b> Nitwitz is Kiki.
So, you think he'll be better than Kobe in 5yrs. In 5 yrs, Kobe will be in his prime. A pure shooter with 2 assists in a 3 game series (Minn) with no defense is not looking like he is getting much better than Kiki than what the 3 extra inches gives him. He is not Larry Bird. Don't hold your breath for 5 yrs.
hey partner, I think you forget a big point. Dirk is the same age as Kobe, which obviously means Dirk also will be in his prime in five years Dirk has more room for improvement. His offense is better than Kobe.
