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Kobe Bryant
#24 - Kobe Bryant - LA Lakers
Season: 28.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.4 spg, 46% fg percentage, 87% ft percentage
Career: 25.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.5 spg, 45% fg percentage, 84% ft percentage
There are few players in the association that other teams are deathly afraid of playing. Actually, there’s only one player that teams hate playing against - Kobe Bryant. The reigning MVP has his sights set on not only bringing the Lakers back to the NBA finals, but he’s gunning for the championship once again. The knock against Kobe, however, is that he’s not a very good team player. Does that sentiment still hold true this season?
Kobe Bryant, believe it or not, didn’t always fit the mould of the perfect NBA player. Drafted in 1996, 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, Kobe was soon traded to the Lakers for Vlade Divac. Drafting high-school players at the time was still a relatively new concept - but oh how times have changed. Kobe played in 71 games as a rookie averaging just 7.6 points per game. In his second season, however, something clicked. Bryant doubled his scoring output and was on his way to becoming the most dominant force in the NBA. As the minutes increased, so did Bryant’s efficiency. By his third year, he was already averaging 38 minutes a game putting up a solid 19 ppg while helping on the glass and distributing the ball. The rest, seemingly, is history. Despite the drama that occured with Shaq, Kobe still has three rings and was a very integral part in each of those championship teams. He now finds himself as the leader of a Lakers team poised to make another run at a title.
The Good:
Everything. The man does it all - and that’s no joke. Bryant is no doubt a great offensive talent; but its his defense that makes him an elite player. He can beat you with the ball; he can beat you without it. He’ll play the passing lanes and take balls away from you or he can rise up unexpectedly and meet you at the rim. Sure, he hasn’t won a defensive player of the year award - but that doesn’t mean he’ll let up. He’ll carry you offensively and defensively; he’s the complete player.
The Bad:
Ok so he’s had a few problems with his teammates in the past. Sure, he’s had some words with Shaq, Andrew Bynum and Raja Bell. Kobe’s a competitor and his personality flaws will reveal itself. Other than that, though, Kobe doesn’t really have any weaknesses in his game.
The Ugly:
If I had something to put here I would. Other than the fact that he may miss a few weeks with a bad back or something - which happens to everyone - there aren’t any real knacks against him.
The Recap:
- Offensive powerhouse.
- Defensive workhorse.
- Impossible to stop one-on-one.
Tips and Tricks:
Kobe might be the most complete player in the game but, as we must never forget, this is a team game. As seen in last year’s playoffs, Kobe, and the team he plays on, is human. The only way to seemingly beat the Lakers is to make Kobe a passer. It sounds simple, but it involves lots of zone defending and a lot of collapsing defenses. Make Bryant work the baseline and hope the shooter he kicks to won’t make an open shot. The Celtics worked it to perfection last year - and there’s no doubt teams will learn a thing or two about how to guard Kobe this year. The problem is - Kobe doesn’t care. He’ll always find a way to get his and that’s more scary than anything. If your defense isn’t spot on, he’ll make you pay.
Final Thoughts:
Kobe Bryant is undoubtedly the best player in the association to date. The argument can be made for other players - but if I were to build a team from scratch with any player available, Kobe would be my first pick no questions asked. He can hold his own on defense and can light opposing teams up for forty points on any given night. Other than that, there isn’t much to say about him except - beware. Kobe’s got his sights on a fourth ring.
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