Horry -his most athletic years, people were comparing him to Pippen No stars, but the best role players in the history of the nba. also he had allstars and future allstars on that team. Otis Thorpe was an All Star Cassell turned into an All Star I'll take Maxwell,Mario Elie for tough defenders and clutch shooters I'll take kenny smith, who is the best 3 point shooter in Rockets history I'll take Rudy T, one of the best motivators of all time And I'll take our uniforms, the best looking Rockets uniforms evar
He certainly might be as effective or close to it, but I think the Lakers are going to have a much harder time of it next season. They won this year, but I think they are one and done. DD
Oh, I agree. But there was a time people would argue it. I've always been of the opinion that if Jordan couldn't do it, there was no way he could. Lebron proved he couldn't do it this year and unless somebody continues to put talent around Dwight Howard, he'll prove it as well. There was a time Kobe could average 42 minutes a game and give them hope - now he needs his rests during games, and I think he realized this and he had to incorporate his teammates instead of trying to go for 90 every game and b****ing about having sorry teammates.
kobe's fadeaway's and his stop and pop are going to keep him at the top of the league for a few more years, although he can't do the dunks and such that he used to, he still gets it done. and get's rings and mvp's while doing it. there's no doubt that he is one of the best players even now at 31. i still think lebron is a better player individually.
If you mean he played a ton of minutes, I'd have to disagree. He averaged fewer minutes this year than in any prior season he's played as a "full-time" player (as opposed to a kid trying to fit into the NBA).
over a 2 season period, ncluding the Olympics, Kobe has payed over 211 games, more than anybody in professional BB history. plus, he has played w i broken finger. that should have been operated on after last season. aso, he has a ankle probem that may require surgery.
I feel as though this thread is based mostly off of Kobe's tomahawk dunk where he didn't throw it down very cleanly. But I agree he is losing his athleticism a bit. It's only natural he's got a lot of miles on those legs and he's getting older.
Actually I did not see that until after the game, was watching the UT baseball game instead.. I noticed it significantly during the Rockets series, but thought it might be that it was just Shane and Ron.... He is still a killer, and is great midrange and as a player, but his first step looks average....not near as good as it used to be... No one keeps it forever, let's hope this is it, for him as a champion. DD
The guy has been playing nonstop for awhile now. 2 seasons going to the finals and dealing with the Olympics. He has the game, shooting and strength to do what Jordan did 96-99. So Kobe can still lead a team IMO.
His jumper has gotten so much better. He also has more moves now. So he effectiveness is still very high.
The funny thing is I'd rather have Kobe shoot more jump shots now at his age because it appears he is more efficient at that than taking it to the hole.
Until Kobe's "loss of athleticism" affects his ability to produce or take over a game, I'd say it's a bit of a moot point.
I think it was also pretty clearly exposed when he shouldn't put a good shot up in that 1 on 1 fastbreak on Lewis. There is no chance anyone could guard a young Kobe like that.
I don't want to beat a Kobe with lost athleticism, or a Laker team minus Ariza and Odom. I want the same squad that we took to 7 games without our best players, I want to see em again....and I look forward to us kicking their ass.
