Is Kobe Bryant A Top 5 Player in the NBA At This Very Moment?

[DemiGodzillla]

Re: Is Kobe Bryant A Top 5 Player in the NBA At This Very Moment?

Which is what this thread is about. Who are playing the best in the league right now? Right now, Kobe has his jumpshot. Wade has his athleticism. Wade is playing better right now, regardless of the fact that Kobe has more moves and whatnot.

Fair enough.

Serious question:

Why does Durant get a pass on defense? Whenever someone brings up Melo, the only thing you hear is "Well he's lazy. He doesn't have a championship attitude. He doesn't give any effort on defense." How many times has Durant just let LeBron run past him and thrown his hands up? I don't see how his defense is any better than Melo's honestly. The difference is, in the flashes that Melo does show that he can play defense, in my opinion he looks to have far more defensive potential than Durant.

Because Melo is painted with that brush in the media and Durant is painted as a gym rat with a huge work ethic and the masses tend to follow what they're told. You'll never hear someone call Durant a "lazy" defender, at worst they'll say something like he needs to move his feet quicker or something else that's non inflammatory while they openly insult and ridicule Melo whenever he does something wrong, even if he's trying his hardest to make improvements. I don't know, I never thought Stern or the league liked Melo, I always got the impression people perceive him as a thug and he didn't get the proper accolades that his game deserves because of it.

[wwharton]

Re: Is Kobe Bryant A Top 5 Player in the NBA At This Very Moment?

It's not just that he's getting beaten though. It's that he isn't really trying to move his feet and he's just lightly fouling guys basically begging the Heat for 3 point plays. And he isn't rebounding worth a damn either.

Exactly. Best example was in Game 2 on his second foul. LeBron comes down in transition, and Durant just turns sideways and slaps him on the arm. He's not even attempting to stop him, and all he's doing is giving the Heat and-ones.

Not arguing the point but not to many people on the planet can stay in front of James one on one, let alone a 6'9" guy... don't care how quick he is. This isn't even the way to evaluate good defense. Nobody's staying in front of Durant either, it's all about the help. What Ibaka said was, in fact, stupid... but it was also true. It's called smart defense and the Thunder need to follow the lead.

But anyway, just suggesting you use different examples. The best defenders in the league aren't going to stop a determined James from getting by them without help.

[BornBetter]

Re: Is Kobe Bryant A Top 5 Player in the NBA At This Very Moment?

Serious question:

Why does Durant get a pass on defense? Whenever someone brings up Melo, the only thing you hear is "Well he's lazy. He doesn't have a championship attitude. He doesn't give any effort on defense." How many times has Durant just let LeBron run past him and thrown his hands up? I don't see how his defense is any better than Melo's honestly. The difference is, in the flashes that Melo does show that he can play defense, in my opinion he looks to have far more defensive potential than Durant.

Making eye contact with LeBron = foul
Breathing on LeBron = foul
Thinking about defending Lebron = foul

I wouldn't try either, because the result is always the same....a foul

[AlexBrady]

Re: Is Kobe Bryant A Top 5 Player in the NBA At This Very Moment?

Every player has their weakness -- good reasearch but it still doesn't take away from any of those player's greatness on a basketball court. No one harps on Jordan's horrid 3pt shooting, right?

And then you add in the bolded part -- bruh, you just compared two power forwards to a small forward? If you don't see the D that LBJ plays then I can't help you. And those two guys are great defenders but the best defensive power forward to me is Timmy D -- Mr. Fundamentals

Actually, I saw each and every one of those players live and in person multiple times. I feel like I have a tight handle on their games. Guys like Baylor, Gervin, and Maravich were great in some aspects but their style of play greatly inhibited their teammates. Michael Jordan a "horrid" three point shooter? Streaky, yes, but not horrid.

In truth, Rodman and DeBusschere spent considerable time at the small forward position and were routinely asked to throw a bag over small forwards.

I see the 'D' LeBron plays. Its effective against slower players (like Paul Pierce) but hot-footed guys can attack his lead foot. His lateral movement is slow and he doesn't navigate screens especially well. He'll still risk foolish gambles. Its really his alert team defense that is good.

Tim Duncan's individual defense was only average, mostly because powerhouse guys could take the ball into his chest and negate his length. But his team defense was incredibly alert, for sure. A different type of defender than DeBusschere and Rodman.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: Is Kobe Bryant A Top 5 Player in the NBA At This Very Moment?

Making eye contact with LeBron = foul
Breathing on LeBron = foul
Thinking about defending Lebron = foul

I wouldn't try either, because the result is always the same....a foul

If you're gonna get a foul anyway you might as well get your money's worth lol. If breathing on him and beating on him are the same penalty, make him feel it.