LOL, FYI I live in SF. And yes, he lost much athleticism and he's still winning champions. Last time I checked, NBA not an athleticism competition. You've been distressed for 2 years, I get it. But your nightmare is just beginning.
He's declining my friend. Defensively is where it's most obvious but offensively his game is rapidly becoming that of a jump shooter. That's great on many nights because his jumper is so nice but it's obvious on the nights when it isn't falling that he no longer has the dribble drive like he used to get his points. He can't carry a team like he could five years ago...not that he has to be anymore.
Just a few days ago Kobe said his knee was only at 60% after the surgery. What do you expect him look like?
Kobes washed up. In a couple years he wont even be top 5 anymore. The Lakers are Gasols team already, hes the reason for the last two titles.
goodbug, your devotion to kobe bryant may be the most annoying thing on clutchfans. right up there with anything brian_chapman says
Wow. Just wow. I was thinking of making a sarcastic, satirical thread spouting gloom and doom about Kobe and the Lakers on the basis of their first 2 exhibition games. Lo and behold, someone beat me to it. But they were serious. lmfaoanutmautcd (laugh my eff-in ass of all night until tomorrow morning at you total clueless dumbasses)
Obviously Kobe isn't going to shoot 2-15 every game (until the Finals, where it's par for the course LOL). However, it is clear that he is declining-- he's at that age where drop offs are expected and his performance last year was considerably worse than the year before). The Lakers will still be very good and a title contender because, despite the propaganda put out by the Kobe fanbois, they have a number of great players and the best coach in NBA history. That can more than make up for Kobe's descent into mediocrity.
The man has been playing for 15 years so of course he is declining. I can't believe anyone would even deny that. Even with all that he is still one of the best players in the NBA.
he's in the decline, but he's still a top 3-5 player. he'll bounce back. it's freakin' preseason. *******
Are we as rockets fans going to criticize a multitime champion while we hold hope that our own star somehow makes it through the season without breaking anything?
The only reason Kobe's decline isn't as evident to some is because of Pau's presence on the Lakers. The trade for Pau Gasol probably extended Kobe's effectiveness to that of a superstar for at least 2-3 more years. Without the acquisition of Gasol Kobe would be looking much worse right now.
yeah when we judge yao from a preseason game, its because he is rusty and needs time, when its kobe he must be done... and its not like his team won the last 2 NBA titles and this is coming from a guy who hates the lakers, but come on don´t be blind
He has to decline sometime....he's obviously not gonna get better year after year not that he's getting older. ...but he's Kobe....he'll always be good enough to be the #1 on the team he plays for....ala MJ.
