That would make you wrong.

 

There are experts and neutral fans I have heard say Kobe is the best.

 

These Kobe/LeBron debates are :deadhorse:

 

They are both amazing and I could make a good argument for either one.

 

As a nuetral fan, I'd just like to throw it out there that even Jerry West said that Lebron has passed Kobe up (saw it on Sportscenter after a Cavs game vs the Hawks)....but it'd be hard for him to pick anyone else over Kobe (including Lebron), in a clutch shot situation at the end of a game.

 

Kobe may be a better shooter, but overall Lebron is the best player on the planet...hands down. His physical strength and athleticism allow him to play ANYWHERE on the floor offensively or defensively...Kobe isn't capable of doing that.

Just because Kobe can't drive the lane like he used to doesn't mean he is past him prime. He is a far better player now than he was when he was posterizing people.

 

You can when he is getting shots blocked in the lane. Kobe in his prime did not get shots blocked when he penetrated.

You can when he is getting shots blocked in the lane. Kobe in his prime did not get shots blocked when he penetrated.

 

He's not as explosive, either with his first step or jumping off the floor. That's obvious to anyone who watched him in previous years.

Everyone talks about just Kobe, or just LeBron being the most clutch. I love LeBron and respect Kobe, but what about Paul Pierce or Chauncey Billups. Everyone goes on about how Kobe is the best closer in the game; but down the stretch Chauncey and Pierce are just as clutch-I think Pierce is the most-as Kobe, LeBron or anyone else.

 

Paul Pierce is the most clutch player in the NBA.

As a nuetral fan, I'd just like to throw it out there that even Jerry West said that Lebron has passed Kobe up (saw it on Sportscenter after a Cavs game vs the Hawks)....but it'd be hard for him to pick anyone else over Kobe (including Lebron), in a clutch shot situation at the end of a game.

 

Kobe may be a better shooter, but overall Lebron is the best player on the planet...hands down. His physical strength and athleticism allow him to play ANYWHERE on the floor offensively or defensively...Kobe isn't capable of doing that.

 

I'll agree with you on the last paragraph. But he is developing an outside game right now, something people don't realize is that LeBron is 24 years old and Kobe is 30, LeBron is not even in the prime of his career yet and he is already better than the player some say is better than Jordan, or at the least the second best player of all-time.

You're equating a handful of physical playoff series to a minimum of probably 3 full years of elite level basketball. Seriously?

 

Coincidentally, when Jordan returned, he posted up and shot fadeaway jumpers all the time.

 

Kobe didn't play as much his first 3 years, so yes I am. The NBA was also my physical then, so I think it is equal.

 

Larry Bird?

 

Come on man. You can't dis the real Bird man.

 

No disrespect to Bird. I should have mentioned him. It was a quick reply though just off the top of my head. Bird survived on instincts and a smooth shooting stroke.

Just because Kobe can't drive the lane like he used to doesn't mean he is past him prime. He is a far better player now than he was when he was posterizing people.

 

That's what I'm screaming. I think this is the first time we've agreed about Kobe.

As a nuetral fan, I'd just like to throw it out there that even Jerry West said that Lebron has passed Kobe up (saw it on Sportscenter after a Cavs game vs the Hawks)....but it'd be hard for him to pick anyone else over Kobe (including Lebron), in a clutch shot situation at the end of a game.

 

Kobe may be a better shooter, but overall Lebron is the best player on the planet...hands down. His physical strength and athleticism allow him to play ANYWHERE on the floor offensively or defensively...Kobe isn't capable of doing that.

 

I know what Jerry West said, so ? His opinion doesn't change mine that it's too close to call.

Everyone talks about just Kobe, or just LeBron being the most clutch. I love LeBron and respect Kobe, but what about Paul Pierce or Chauncey Billups. Everyone goes on about how Kobe is the best closer in the game; but down the stretch Chauncey and Pierce are just as clutch-I think Pierce is the most-as Kobe, LeBron or anyone else.

 

Paul Pierce is the most clutch player in the NBA.

 

:laugh:

 

Kobe, DWade, LeBron, and Chauncey are all more clutch than Pierce, and that's just off the top of my head.

:laugh:

 

Kobe, DWade, LeBron, and Chauncey are all more clutch than Pierce, and that's just off the top of my head.

 

Pierce was clutch in the playoffs last year, but that's about it for his resume. He's not even the most clutch guy on his team.

Just because Kobe can't drive the lane like he used to doesn't mean he is past him prime. He is a far better player now than he was when he was posterizing people.

 

I guess you didn't see Kenyon Martin block 3, yes, 3 of his shots tonight. Kobe in his prime didn't get 3 shots blocked in a week, let alone in one night.

 

Kobe didn't play as much his first 3 years, so yes I am. The NBA was also my physical then, so I think it is equal.

 

Can't believe you think this is the best Kobe has been. He was way better when he was robbed of the MVP two years in a row in 2005-6 and 2006-7. I can't believe 5Wide and I are the only people that can see that he isn't nearly as explosive as he used to be.

 

 

That's what I'm screaming. I think this is the first time we've agreed about Kobe.

 

I never said that he isn't still better than 99% of the NBA, but his first step and his leaping ability isn't nearly where it was even 2 years ago, let alone 5. That is due to where and tear. He probably won't play after he hits 35.

Pierce was clutch in the playoffs last year, but that's about it for his resume. He's not even the most clutch guy on his team.

 

I have to disagree. He was huge in those years when he and Walker lead the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals. He hit a lot of huge shots. He is by far the most clutch on the Celtics.

Pierce was clutch in the playoffs last year, but that's about it for his resume. He's not even the most clutch guy on his team.

 

I was thinking the same thing....I thought Ray Allen was the best player on that team in the Finals last year and IMO is the most clutch guy on that team. This year he had horrible games for 3 quarters but he was there when you needed him in the 4th. Pierce was like Odom in the playoffs this year.....MIA in spurts.

My fault, Kenyon blocked 2 of his shots, I could sworn Kobe got blocked 3 times tonight though. 2 times is still 2 too many for a "in his prime" Kobe Bryant.....

I guess you didn't see Kenyon Martin block 3, yes, 3 of his shots tonight. Kobe in his prime didn't get 3 shots blocked in a week, let alone in one night.

 

 

 

Can't believe you think this is the best Kobe has been. He was way better when he was robbed of the MVP two years in a row in 2005-6 and 2006-7. I can't believe 5Wide and I are the only people that can see that he isn't nearly as explosive as he used to be.

 

 

 

 

I never said that he isn't still better than 99% of the NBA, but his first step and his leaping ability isn't nearly where it was even 2 years ago, let alone 5. That is due to where and tear. He probably won't play after he hits 35.

 

He is much better now. I though Jordan was better overall from 96-98 than he was in the 80's. I really like the polish players put on their games. Explosion has nothing to do with how good Kobe is. If he was solely a dunker, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. I think the blocks say more about playoff basketball than anything. Kobe could have still tried to dunk it, but in the playoffs, unless you pick your spots, your poster attempt may end in a trip to the hospital.

 

His leaping ability was never elite. It didn't make him. As for the first step, Kobe does pretty much what he wants on the court. He has a reliable jumper and sticks to it.

 

I feel like this is just a way to defend him when matched up against LeBron. Kobe in his prime (Whatever age you want say it is) would still by at a disadvantage phyisically against LBJ. So would everyone else who has ever played basketball.