Re: Video:Kobe vs Lebron 1 on 1
I probably should have been a bit more clear about the dominating the ball portion of my post. I remember Kobe taking shots with reckless abandon during the Kwame Brown/Smush Parker years. I can imagine him taking more shots than he does currently. The difference is playmaking. When the ball finds its way into Kobe's hands he goes into attack mode. Playmaking for him is secondary to scoring. . He has more of a:
Probe the Defense ---> Denied
Probe the Defense ---> Denied
Probe the Defense ---> Bad Shot or "Oh Crap there is an open man in the corner ---> Pass"
While Kobe once would have held onto the ball trying to make something happen, he will now pass inside or along the perimeter to set himself up with a better scoring option. He does still dominate the ball, but to a lesser extent than he used to.
Lebron on the other hand is a playmaker. The ball is usually in his hands and he is used to having to spoonfeed offensively challenged players. It is not uncommon for Lebron to probe the defense looking to make something happen for others or himself. The problem with this is that his teammates are often left watching the play and waiting for an opportunity. This would happen much less in a motion based offense, but there would still be an adjustment to be made.
My original statement should have pointed to Kobe having less resposibilities in the Cavalier offense. He would play a more traditional scoring guard role with some playmaking. Lebron was more of a playmaker forced to score. Because of this, he had the ball in his hands more than Kobe would.
The reason I brought up the team built around Lebron has to do with his playmaking ability more than anything else. Lebron is the most versatile athlete in the NBA. While Kobe can replicate some of what Lebron does offensively, and probably do a bit more as a one on one defender, there is no one that can physically dominate the way Lebron can at multiple positions. Lebron can play SG and SF at a Superstar Level, Point Guard at Star Level, and Power Forward as well.
Kobe while well versed in most aspects of the game, is just not physically able to do what Lebron Does. In terms of technical ability I would rate them as follows
Kobe PG C+ SG A+ SF A- PF D- Ctr F
Lebron PG B+ SG B+ SF A+ PF C+ Ctr D+
Technically I would say Kobe has the Savvy to play each position well. He just doesn't have the court vision of Lebron at point or the size to play the 4 or 5 positions.
Size and ability wise Lebron can play almost any position, but is lacking in technique. He has the size to be a Forward or Undersized center. He just doesn't have the technical acumen. That can be acquired.
Kobe, while great, can not fill the void that Lebron left. He can however give the team a dimension that it was lacking at the 2 guard.
A few things, Lynsanity. I agree with 80% of your post.
1. I'm tired of the "they built Cleveland around James" talk when swapping Kobe onto their team. If Kobe is the best player in the world, he would make it work. Plain and simple. Kobe and LeBron have the same exact style of play. You really think Kobe would dominate the ball less than LeBron on Cleveland?
You sure? Last time Kobe had Cleveland level talent we saw him shoot 40 times a night
2. Kobe has been involving his teammates more since 2008 when he won MVP. However I've always said he could make things a lot easier for himself if he used them even more. There are so many instances of him still trying to be the man when the easier simpler play could have given them more success. Like you said he is who he is and he is not efficient. It's so frustrating because he KNOWS the right play and he could easily MAKE the right play but he just doesn't do it.
That's why LeBron on the Lakers would be so devastating. LA when healthy has no holes in their lineup. It would be a massacre.
1. I'm tired of the "they built Cleveland around James" talk when swapping Kobe onto their team. If Kobe is the best player in the world, he would make it work. Plain and simple. Kobe and LeBron have the same exact style of play. You really think Kobe would dominate the ball less than LeBron on Cleveland?
You sure? Last time Kobe had Cleveland level talent we saw him shoot 40 times a night 2. Kobe has been involving his teammates more since 2008 when he won MVP. However I've always said he could make things a lot easier for himself if he used them even more. There are so many instances of him still trying to be the man when the easier simpler play could have given them more success. Like you said he is who he is and he is not efficient. It's so frustrating because he KNOWS the right play and he could easily MAKE the right play but he just doesn't do it.
That's why LeBron on the Lakers would be so devastating. LA when healthy has no holes in their lineup. It would be a massacre.
Probe the Defense ---> Denied
Probe the Defense ---> Denied
Probe the Defense ---> Bad Shot or "Oh Crap there is an open man in the corner ---> Pass"
While Kobe once would have held onto the ball trying to make something happen, he will now pass inside or along the perimeter to set himself up with a better scoring option. He does still dominate the ball, but to a lesser extent than he used to.
Lebron on the other hand is a playmaker. The ball is usually in his hands and he is used to having to spoonfeed offensively challenged players. It is not uncommon for Lebron to probe the defense looking to make something happen for others or himself. The problem with this is that his teammates are often left watching the play and waiting for an opportunity. This would happen much less in a motion based offense, but there would still be an adjustment to be made.
My original statement should have pointed to Kobe having less resposibilities in the Cavalier offense. He would play a more traditional scoring guard role with some playmaking. Lebron was more of a playmaker forced to score. Because of this, he had the ball in his hands more than Kobe would.
The reason I brought up the team built around Lebron has to do with his playmaking ability more than anything else. Lebron is the most versatile athlete in the NBA. While Kobe can replicate some of what Lebron does offensively, and probably do a bit more as a one on one defender, there is no one that can physically dominate the way Lebron can at multiple positions. Lebron can play SG and SF at a Superstar Level, Point Guard at Star Level, and Power Forward as well.
Kobe while well versed in most aspects of the game, is just not physically able to do what Lebron Does. In terms of technical ability I would rate them as follows
Kobe PG C+ SG A+ SF A- PF D- Ctr F
Lebron PG B+ SG B+ SF A+ PF C+ Ctr D+
Technically I would say Kobe has the Savvy to play each position well. He just doesn't have the court vision of Lebron at point or the size to play the 4 or 5 positions.
Size and ability wise Lebron can play almost any position, but is lacking in technique. He has the size to be a Forward or Undersized center. He just doesn't have the technical acumen. That can be acquired.
Kobe, while great, can not fill the void that Lebron left. He can however give the team a dimension that it was lacking at the 2 guard.
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