It is amazing that he is still playing at the level he's playing at. However we can't just ignore that he's 34 while most of the other players throughout history were 37 and up during their 17th season. Still amazing though.
How Kobe Bryant Is Re-Defining Our Expectactions For All-Time Greats
- Thread starter Newzz
- Start date
threattonature
Veteran
Yeah but look at the sharp cliff every other high schooler and 1 and done player hit way earlier. Outside of KG whose nowhere near the same level he was at but still a great player the rest fell off quick. Look at the Iversons, Webber (came in as a sophomore), Marbury, JO, McGrady and most hit a cliff around 30 and experienced an early prime.
Also MJ may not have played as good over the course of the second 3-peat if he had the wear and tear of two extra seasons on his legs. That alone may have helped extend the years he was able to play. But it is a crime that we got to miss what could've possibly been his best years.
It's about the mileage on his body.
KG went straight to the league and he hasn't been a top-5 player since '08.
McGrady's done. Jermaine O'Neal is a shell of himself.
Dwight Howard
Superstar
True but,
Kobe putting up better numbers though
Higher FG%, more Assist, more rebounds
So I guess those are MVP caliber numbers
Age is more detrimental than games played. Tmac had a chronic injury in his back. He was never the same player after 07
well its not like Kobe was playing that huge of minutes in 1996-1997 and 1997-1998
he might choose to retire but what about his game on the court lets you know he can't do it?
He's putting up 27/5/6 in 38 minutes. That isn't far off the 28/6/5 he was putting up 12 years ago in 2001.
This shyt cray. Kobe is basically the same player statistically he was at 22.
If hes still a 20 to 25 point a game scorer by time he is in his 20th season Kobe fans will have a legit argument in saying he is the greatest. I wouldnt feel that way because i feel from 84 to 2003 if he wouldnt have retired in between MJ would have averaged at least 20 every season too. But for Kobe to be doing it after all those playoff runs is remarkable. Especially since first round series got changed into 7 games a few years back. Big up to Tim Duncan too cuz his numbers havent changed much on a per game basis after all these years in the league too.
I think we'll look back this time in Kobe's career the way we look back at 00-05 when people were saying AI, T-Mac, Vince, etc. were better. We'll realize how stupid it was that people weren't giving him his due as one of the 5 best players ever.
Kobe is at the point in his career where he can only add to his legacy not detract. Does anyone say Duncan is not a top 10 player anymore cause his team got eliminated early the playoffs the last couple of years? No. He can only add to his legacy. Same with Kobe.
Right now Kobe's #5 on my all-time list behind MJ, Russell, Kareem, and Magic and just ahead of Bird, Shaq, Wilt, and Duncan. If he wins another title, finals MVP, and moves into the top 3 in the all-time scoring list, then I think he moves past Magic and Kareem into #3 all-time.
If he becomes #1 all-time in scoring and somehow wins a 7th title, then I think you could make a legit argument he would be 1b to MJ's 1a on the all-time list.
A resume reading: 7 titles, 4 finals MVPs, #1 all-time in scoring, record # of all-star appearances, all-nba, all-defense selections, etc. would be too overwhelming to ignore.
Kobe is at the point in his career where he can only add to his legacy not detract. Does anyone say Duncan is not a top 10 player anymore cause his team got eliminated early the playoffs the last couple of years? No. He can only add to his legacy. Same with Kobe.
Right now Kobe's #5 on my all-time list behind MJ, Russell, Kareem, and Magic and just ahead of Bird, Shaq, Wilt, and Duncan. If he wins another title, finals MVP, and moves into the top 3 in the all-time scoring list, then I think he moves past Magic and Kareem into #3 all-time.
If he becomes #1 all-time in scoring and somehow wins a 7th title, then I think you could make a legit argument he would be 1b to MJ's 1a on the all-time list.
A resume reading: 7 titles, 4 finals MVPs, #1 all-time in scoring, record # of all-star appearances, all-nba, all-defense selections, etc. would be too overwhelming to ignore.
I 
Kobe and his ability to still get his at the highest level at this advancved stage of his career. I put it in perspective though, as good as he's been individually this year he's still on 1 of the most talented teams in the league and has only led them to the 8th seed.
Kobe and his ability to still get his at the highest level at this advancved stage of his career. I put it in perspective though, as good as he's been individually this year he's still on 1 of the most talented teams in the league and has only led them to the 8th seed.
I think he's more than made up for it since. Nobody in the league is close to his number of minutes, not even Duncan.
Goatpoacher
Superstar
So, Cal Ripken is the GOAT beisbol player
Sunalmighty
Superstar
Too bad none of that happening. It's LeBrons time, and NO ONE beating them in a Finals, or a seven game series it seems. Here is to wishful thinking
I think he's more than made up for it since. Nobody in the league is close to his number of minutes, not even Duncan.
if you ask any nba player would they rather be 17 seasons in at 34 or 15 seasons in at 40, close to 100% would indicate the former not latter.
Sure, but don't act like the minutes played has no effect on players' bodies.
Nash is still effective and he's damn near 40, but that's also because he hasn't played nearly the minutes Kobe or Duncan has.