How Good Was Kobe’s Peak?

 His 2005-06 season was one of the best individually we’ve seen in NBA history imo. The way he was able to score the ball (and do so efficiently) with basically entire defenses geared up solely to stop him was something we haven’t seen since late 80s jordan in Chicago and havent seen since. He was far and away the best player in the league that season and the fact that he somehow came in 4th in the mvp voting is an absolute travesty.

In his prime, Kobe was probably the most complete scorer in the history of the game, with virtually no weaknesses. He was also a tremendous all-around player who could absolutely make his teammates better and one of the best all-around defenders in the league when committed.  For about a 3 or 4 year stretch in the mid 2000s I would say he held the unofficial title of best player on the planet.

Considering his peak wasn’t that long ago, I’m pretty certain he would be just as dominant today.

 His 2005-06 season was one of the best individually we’ve seen in NBA history imo. The way he was able to score the ball (and do so efficiently) with basically entire defenses geared up solely to stop him was something we haven’t seen since late 80s jordan in Chicago and havent seen since. He was far and away the best player in the league that season and the fact that he somehow came in 4th in the mvp voting is an absolute travesty.

In his prime, Kobe was probably the most complete scorer in the history of the game, with virtually no weaknesses. He was also a tremendous all-around player who could absolutely make his teammates better and one of the best all-around defenders in the league when committed.  For about a 3 or 4 year stretch in the mid 2000s I would say he held the unofficial title of best player on the planet.

Considering his peak wasn’t that long ago, I’m pretty certain he would be just as dominant today.

Are you saying Kobe at his best is behind LeBron and Curry last year? Let me guess, you just finished school and you needed to roll a blunt and post something on draft.net.

Are you saying Kobe at his best is behind LeBron and Curry last year? Let me guess, you just finished school and you needed to roll a blunt and post something on draft.net.

 Kobe’s peak was Jordan with slightly worse shooting pct.  I remember watching him and thinking how no one man could stop him.  Sometimes no two men.  Best offensive player I have ever seen save a two year period when Tracy McGrady could do no wrong.

 Kobe’s peak was Jordan with slightly worse shooting pct.  I remember watching him and thinking how no one man could stop him.  Sometimes no two men.  Best offensive player I have ever seen save a two year period when Tracy McGrady could do no wrong.

 Statisically and successwise Kobe has been as good as anyone in the last 25-30 years as anyone bar MJ in my opinion. 

The one telling fact about how good Kobe was considered that for year’s on the NBA GM survey he was voted the guy you wanted taking the last shot of a game when you need a basket to win etc. He won this category for several years when LBJ was ranked a better player than him but a crunch time they all wanted Kobe ball in hand.

I was thinking Kobe put up a fairly nifty performance of 31 points in a game as a 37 year old but then discovered MJ dropped 50 points in a game at 38 years old and 40 points as a 40 year old.

 Statisically and successwise Kobe has been as good as anyone in the last 25-30 years as anyone bar MJ in my opinion. 

The one telling fact about how good Kobe was considered that for year’s on the NBA GM survey he was voted the guy you wanted taking the last shot of a game when you need a basket to win etc. He won this category for several years when LBJ was ranked a better player than him but a crunch time they all wanted Kobe ball in hand.

I was thinking Kobe put up a fairly nifty performance of 31 points in a game as a 37 year old but then discovered MJ dropped 50 points in a game at 38 years old and 40 points as a 40 year old.

 that utterly could Not be stopped jordan was the standard….. I put him at #1….. So with Jordan in mind there are Only 2 players I ever saw who reminded me of Jordan & that was Dr.J & Kobe…..

 Dominque Wilkins was close be he lacked that alpha male "everyone get on my back & I’ll carry us by myself if I have to" gene…… But in 50 + years of watching the NBA Jordan, Dr.J & Kobe really stand alone IMHO…..

 that utterly could Not be stopped jordan was the standard….. I put him at #1….. So with Jordan in mind there are Only 2 players I ever saw who reminded me of Jordan & that was Dr.J & Kobe…..

 Dominque Wilkins was close be he lacked that alpha male "everyone get on my back & I’ll carry us by myself if I have to" gene…… But in 50 + years of watching the NBA Jordan, Dr.J & Kobe really stand alone IMHO…..

Bryant’s peak is hard to quantify ’cause he shared most of it (Shaq, Gasol) and played in a non traditional system that blunted his numbers. With that, he’s HANDS DOWN the most advanced individual scorer the NBA has ever – and will ever – seen. 65 against the Blazers, 62 in 34 minutes against the Mavs, 56 in 33 minutes against the Griz, 81 against Toronto while bringing his team back from a 20 point deficit… Jordan to me is still the goat, but what Bryant did against modern NBA athletes with advanced defensive schemes and scouting reports designed with the sole intent on stopping him is absolutely mind blowing. If he’d have played in a traditional offense with iso’s, p&r’s, etc…. he would’ve put up 40 a game for a few seasons. Also, his 81 is the single most impressive individual performance in pro sports history to me. Wilt scored his hundo against 6’7, 190lb centers with no three seconds and no shot clock. He was great for his era but might literally not even make sn NBA squad today. Kobe’s 81 is so ridiculous it’s hard to put into words. What’s even crazier is he had three buckets waved off that game, so 81 could’ve been 86-88, and his big games against the Griz and Mavs were called after 3 quarters, so he easilt could have two other 80+ games. That’s insane to think about.

Bryant’s peak is hard to quantify ’cause he shared most of it (Shaq, Gasol) and played in a non traditional system that blunted his numbers. With that, he’s HANDS DOWN the most advanced individual scorer the NBA has ever – and will ever – seen. 65 against the Blazers, 62 in 34 minutes against the Mavs, 56 in 33 minutes against the Griz, 81 against Toronto while bringing his team back from a 20 point deficit… Jordan to me is still the goat, but what Bryant did against modern NBA athletes with advanced defensive schemes and scouting reports designed with the sole intent on stopping him is absolutely mind blowing. If he’d have played in a traditional offense with iso’s, p&r’s, etc…. he would’ve put up 40 a game for a few seasons. Also, his 81 is the single most impressive individual performance in pro sports history to me. Wilt scored his hundo against 6’7, 190lb centers with no three seconds and no shot clock. He was great for his era but might literally not even make sn NBA squad today. Kobe’s 81 is so ridiculous it’s hard to put into words. What’s even crazier is he had three buckets waved off that game, so 81 could’ve been 86-88, and his big games against the Griz and Mavs were called after 3 quarters, so he easilt could have two other 80+ games. That’s insane to think about.

To me Kobe didn’t really have a "peak" like some players do. He had some ups-and-downs like any human, but for the most part he played at a HOF level for the majority of his career. One of the best players to ever play the game of basketball.

To me Kobe didn’t really have a "peak" like some players do. He had some ups-and-downs like any human, but for the most part he played at a HOF level for the majority of his career. One of the best players to ever play the game of basketball.