Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

[Biagas]

2k insider thinks so

[SPRINGS03]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

For most of his career he was a WAY better defender than KD. But considering that KD has improved his defense some and kobe seems to have slacked some on defense recently i'd say it's a tossup this year.

[Optik]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

For most of his career he was a WAY better defender than KD. But considering that KD has improved his defense some and kobe seems to have slacked some on defense recently i'd say it's a tossup this year.

No it isn't. Kobe is a good 1 on 1 defender, when FOCUSED, but as a help defender he is ACTIVELY HORRIFIC. Durant is easily a better 1 on 1 defender than Bryant because of his huge wingspan, and is a better help defender by default, seeing as he doesn't just watch the ball and hardly move off the ball, or constantly gamble.

Did you see the Lakers @ Spurs game a few games ago? That was one of the worst defensive performances of Kobe's career.

[2_headedmonster]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

Yes, actually he is...

On-ball Kobe is a damn good defender. Durant has definately improved, but still mostly relies on giving space and using his length ( which is smart). If he was a really good on ball defender who was great as shuffling his feet, given his length, he would be a MONSTER.

off-ball, Kobe ball watches....

[KillerHog471]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

Yes, actually he is...

On-ball Kobe is a damn good defender. Durant has definately improved, but still mostly relies on giving space and using his length ( which is smart). If he was a really good on ball defender who was great as shuffling his feet, given his length, he would be a MONSTER.

off-ball, Kobe ball watches....

Have you watched either player lately? Last year definitely if you were to compare them but now Kobe doesn't play defense.

[Thunder Storm]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

Kobe is great at man defense... but only when he wants. I haven't seen him try since last years playoffs. Seems like he is trying to reserve energy for offense.

[SPRINGS03]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

No it isn't. Kobe is a good 1 on 1 defender, when FOCUSED, but as a help defender he is ACTIVELY HORRIFIC. Durant is easily a better 1 on 1 defender than Bryant because of his huge wingspan, and is a better help defender by default, seeing as he doesn't just watch the ball and hardly move off the ball, or constantly gamble.

Did you see the Lakers @ Spurs game a few games ago? That was one of the worst defensive performances of Kobe's career.

Eh, i say it's still a tossup because when kobe is focused as you said he is a good defender. Durant is just now improving his defensive game, before he had very little defense, with or without his wingspan. I would say you could argue that durant is better off ball while kobe is better on ball. Did you forget about him holding kyrie irving to 15 points when he guarded him last time against the cavs?

[Rockie_Fresh88]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

nah not this year. I think early 2000s Kobe was not now. He really save energy for Offense I think.

But he can still defend here and there pretty good. Not 48 minutes tho

[2_headedmonster]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

Have you watched either player lately? Last year definitely if you were to compare them but now Kobe doesn't play defense.

yes i have, last game Kobe held Kyrie Irving to 15 points after demonstrating in a previous meeting the ability to stay infront of him well, even blocking his jumper on a 1-4 iso.

Also was the primary defender on Chris Paul and forced tough jumpers that down the stretch gave his team a chance to win. CP3 consequently hit some tough jumpers to seal the deal, but that why he is who he is...

[KillerHog471]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

yes i have, last game Kobe held Kyrie Irving to 15 points after demonstrating in a previous meeting the ability to stay infront of him well, even blocking his jumper on a 1-4 iso.

Also was the primary defender on Chris Paul and forced tough jumpers that down the stretch gave his team a chance to win. CP3 consequently hit some tough jumpers to seal the deal, but that why he is who he is...

Good examples but rare cases though anymore(I admire you for stomaching Laker games ). He has lost a step from the dominant defender he used to be and coupled with all the days off he takes Durant has surpassed him and its not even a toss-up.

[2_headedmonster]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

Good examples but rare cases though anymore(I admire you for stomaching Laker games ). He has lost a step from the dominant defender he used to be and coupled with all the days off he takes Durant has surpassed him and its not even a toss-up.

never said he was as consistent as he used to be, but head to head, hes better. But opinions differ.

[SPRINGS03]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

Put it to you this way, Kobe defensively focused(actually trying) is better than KD defensively focused. It's just a matter of KD being more consistent with his defense. But at his best, kobe is still a better defender than KD. Hence why i said it could be a toss up.

[KillerHog471]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

never said he was as consistent as he used to be, but head to head, hes better. But opinions differ.

Even when hes going his all KD's better. On both of their best days it would be close but throw in consistency issues then its not a toss-up.

[KSOR24]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?

Kobe is great at man defense... but only when he wants. I haven't seen him try since last years playoffs. Seems like he is trying to reserve energy for offense.

Kobe played great defensively when the Lakers played the Thunder last Friday. But being the prolific scorers they are, Durant and Westbrook found a way.

[LD2k]

Re: Is current Kobe a better defender than Durant?