Quote:
|
Originally Posted by goddfather40
Ok, Borla, you hate Kobe, we get it. But saying he is not a great 'player' or whatever is asinine.
A lot of Kobe's career average per game stats are a little skewed since he really wasn't in the starting lineup much during his first 2 years. His assists per game for each year starting in '99 (the year he started starting games) are as follows:
1999 3.8
99-00 4.9
00-01 5.0
01-02 5.5
02-03 5.9
03-04 5.1
04-05 6.0
This compares favorably to Michael, who I'll give you had one very big assist year 88-89, where he averaged 8.0 apg and averaged well over 32.5 ppg (fucking awesome year by the way). The rest of Michael's assist per game averages were very, very similar to what Kobe has done. Kobe has averaged over 5 apg five times, almost six times (in 2000 he averaged 4.9). Kobe is 27 right now, would you care to tell me how many times MJ averaged at least 5 apg by 27? How about 5 times as well.
Kobe is quickly coming back into public adoration, and the haters can't stand it.
By the way, I got the stats from http://www.basketball-reference.com |
I actually don't "hate" Kobe, his whole attitude since Shaq came to the Lakers has just turned me off to him.
Comparing Michael and Kobe by age isn't fair, since Michael went to college, and missed almost an entire season to injury in his second year.
As far as comparing them by year, or whatever, all I have to say is that when comparing their bodies of work, I think it's always going to come out that Michael was the better overall player, and was much, MUCH better at making those around him better. Kobe is one of the top 5 guys playing today. He's probably going to end up in the top 10-20 players of all time by almost everyone's definition. I just think it's a joke to speak of him in the same breath as Jordan when looking at him as an overall player. Scorer? Yes. When including assists, rebounds, defense, effect on teammates, effect on team chemistry, etc., I don't think there is even an argument. For those same reasons I'll always say I'd rather have had Bill Russell on my team over Wilt Chamberlain.
Just my $.02, not saying anyone has to agree.
