Shot selection would be the biggest one. The second one, as silly as it sounds, would be his size and that he is smaller than the other dudes you are comparing him to. Kobe's greatest asset is his scoring. This is the area that he really has Magic in, but I would still take magic's ability to get everyone involved and play all positions, so Kobe doesn't even get the edge over him offensively. He isn't a more efficient scorer than Kareem or Shaq (sucks that they are big and he isn't), and as great as he is he is still an easier cover than anyone of those guys. He doesn't impact the game defensively like either one of them either. This is arguably Kobe's best playoff run, and he is putting up 29, 5 and 6 on 48%. You would honestly have that over what Shaq was giving at his peak: http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealsh01.html Or Kareem: http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/abdulka01.html In what world is a guard dropping 30 on sub 50% shooting a better option than a pivot dropping 30 and 15 in the mid 50's and above (fg%)?
shaq's dominance was the reason kobe won the first 2 rings. kobe was second option back then. the third championship kobe was more of a leader, and obviously the 4th one he was the leader. if he wins this year that will only be his 3rd as the leader of the team. if your not the leader, the championship doesn't count towards your legacy. it's LEADING the team to a championship that counts.
It will solidify his reputation as one of the greatest Lakers of all time. I think he is already in that group.
Michael Jordan has never won without Pippen or Phil Jackson...your point? These guys can't do it alone. You take Pau off this team, the Thunder would have beat them in 7 games. That is nothing against Kobe, but basketball is a TEAM sport. All these big names I think people often forget that.
So if Kareem, Magic, Kobe, and Shaq are all on the draft board, what order do you draft them in? I gotta pick Magic first. You're never going to find another one like him, who's creative enough to be a great true PG, yet skilled and big enough to play center. Then, I would probably take Shaq, not because he was better, but because he'd be more productive the way the NBA plays today. Kareem would still be great, but I just think the defenses of today would limit his effectiveness. Then I go Kareem, then I go Kobe. Kobe may have the statistics to be the greatest, but I just think you'd pick the others over him. Also, of the four, Kobe is easily in last place as far as public image, relating to fans and media. Heck, he may be the only one that hasn't been in a movie.
Yea he's got some ways to go to catch Kareem and Magic who make a great arguments for GOATs in their own right. Btw before Gasol came along, in 07/08 the Lakers were in first place that season in the West
If Kobe didn't light up the Spurs and Kings in 2001, Shaq wouldn't have done didly in that playoff run
I never saw Magic play other then the finals against the bulls when jordan beat him, but i was kinda small so i dont remember clearly. So all i have to go by is highlights really. Kobe i have seen his whole career and seen him grow into the dominant player he is. As much as i hate kobe, i would have to say he is the greatest laker of all time, based solely on what i personally have seen him do. Magic was a great general of the floor from what i have seen, Kareem was a dominant big man, james worthy was second fiddle, shaq was a short term laker, so yes i would say kobe is the greatest one of all, especially if he wins another one. oh and jerry west, well know nothing other than he is an owner now lol
Kobe had higher win share than Shaq for 2001 playoff. I saw someone liked to use that as reference, but only against Kobe. LOL.
I know at first this comment may sound stupid, but FG% doesn't necessarily mean jump shooting ability, for example, Shaq has roughly 55% FG% where has Kobe is right around 45% FG%, does that mean Shaq has a better jumpshot then Kobe? No, it means that those putbacks and dunks Shaq scores with go in more often then Kobe's 20 ft jumpers etc. Like I said Jordan was better at driving than Kobe, but Kobe had a better shot. I am not saying Kobe is better than Jordan at this point in his career, my point is if he somehow finds the fountain of youth and keeps this up for a while, then there will be a solid argument. As far as whoever asked what my argument was for putting Kobe>Magic. Unfortunately, Magic's short career is what made me put Kobe over him. Kobe has had the lakers as a playoff team for the past 10+ years, and he still has a lot left in him (or so it seems, can't predict the future). Kobe also has four rings, and yes I know 3 were with Shaq, but Kobe had just as much to do with those titles as Shaq did. Jordan probably wouldn't have won six without Pippen, and the same goes for Kobe/Shaq. Magic had a pretty good squad around him as well.
KoME fans are hilarious in that they will actually bash their own team to elevate their idol. They would probably rather have 2005-07 Kobe putting up 35ppg and missing the playoffs or being bounced in round #1... yet they fault other greats for the same thing. KoME fans actually were rooting against Cleveland when they played Boston-- not because Cleveland had the top record or was a threat to the title, but because they were so threatened by LeBron's potential claim to KoME's "legacy"! It's really unbelievable (scary, actually), this level of servitude they have to one man.
Even though I hate this guy but you can make a case for him being one of the greatests. IMO the top 5 players of all-time are. 1-Jordan 2-Kobe 3-Wilt 4-Hakeem 5-Shaq,
Is the 2009 in your name when you started watching basketball? Where the hell are Magic, Larry, and Kareem (just to start)?
You mean 02... I actually put Kobe as the LEADER of the team in 02 when they won, he had the the higher win share, plus he was actually the leader of the team. I don't think people realize it... go back and watch.
Statwise Kobe did have a slightly higher win share in '01 (3.8 to 3.7): 2000: Kobe= 2.1 / Shaq = 4.7 2001: Kobe = 3.8 / Shaq = 3.7 2002: Kobe = 2.6 / Shaq = 3.8 However, aside from Shaq's dominance in the other two years, this is a silly metric because everyone who actually watched basketball during the threepeat knows that the entire defense was geared to stop Shaq, not Kobe. This is kind of important information when determining who is the first option and who is the sidekick.
Depends on how you define "Great-ness" 1. Magic 2. Kobe (more talented than magic but Magic is a real legend) 3. West 4 kareem there are a lot more great lakers. Lebron is better than magic, lebron is a Supersized/more athletic version of Magic. but lebron's ego and childish acts has to go. but Magic is greater because of what he did with his team and helped spread the NBA and he DOMINATED during his time.
