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Nope. I wanted the loss. Notice how after the conclusion of the Lakers game, Denver conveniently went on a 10-0 run?
Pop's maneuvering for that 2nd seed, intent on avoiding your boys and sending them to their doom versus OKC.
That 14 incher Denver stuffed in your keester has ya a smidge flat-earred this mornin', Midst.
tee, hee.
Nope. I wanted the loss. Notice how after the conclusion of the Lakers game, Denver conveniently went on a 10-0 run?
Pop's maneuvering for that 2nd seed, intent on avoiding your boys and sending them to their doom versus OKC.
Yep, Poop and his considerable machinations. If he'd put as much time in otherwise he wouldn't be holding the end of this:::
Kobe: 5
Poop: 4
His machinations are precisely why he has 4.
If you'd like to leave the catchphrases at the door for a moment and talk basketball, he's angling into that 2nd seed because he knows Houston is the better matchup for the Spurs. Your guys have the size to bother our bigs inside, and with Parker hobbled and Manu sidelined, the Spurs no longer have a huge speed/athleticism advantage on the perimeter. Against Houston, the Spurs can pound it inside and go through Duncan/Splitter, taking the pressure off Parker/Manu as they recover. Against the Lakers, however, Parker/Manu would have to be the focal point of the offense, and with their injuries, there's not much of a matchup advantage to be had there.
The more confident Spurs fans will scoff, but the Lakers pose a legitimate threat to the Spurs right now all things considered.
No thanks. I'm gonna go watch Green Acres.
- you refuse to give Kobe his props.
I'll give him props when they're deserved.
Last playoff team he faced:
6-19 shooting.
I'll give him props when they're deserved.
Last playoff team he faced:
6-19 shooting.
- Golden State blew us out last game (& made a statement per Coach Jackson). We'll be playing with revenge on the mind. Matter of fact, the last 3 games we have are v. WC Playoff teams. Same cir stances as last night. Difference: all at Staples... I'm interested to see what he'll have in store for what makes out to be 3 playoff games to close out the season.
i actually like it that my boys had to battle through inconsistency all year that was caused by the injury bug. This also caused lack of chemistry. It's well do ented that our big 4 haven't actually played on the court together all that much. Despite it all, we're playing meaningful games right now - instead of coasting and resting players like other teams are doing. I like going into the playoffs on edge. We won't have to ratchet up any intensity because we've been playing catchup since our 17-25 hole we dug for ourselves.
I'm looking forward to the 2nd season tbh. The way you are playing going into the playoffs matters more to me than your collective body of work. We've seen 6-seeds win les. We've also witnessed 8, etc. Anything can happen in the playoffs mid. Although Spur Fans are talking all this , but I guarantee you Pop would rather play Utah in the first round than the underachieving Lakers.
Nothing like a couple of down-to-the-wire wins vs. ty teams to renew your hope, eh?
i actually like it that my boys had to battle through inconsistency all year that was caused by the injury bug. This also caused lack of chemistry. It's well do ented that our big 4 haven't actually played on the court together all that much. Despite it all, we're playing meaningful games right now - instead of coasting and resting players like other teams are doing. I like going into the playoffs on edge. We won't have to ratchet up any intensity because we've been playing catchup since our 17-25 hole we dug for ourselves.
I'm looking forward to the 2nd season tbh. The way you are playing going into the playoffs matters more to me than your collective body of work. We've seen 6-seeds win les. We've also witnessed 8, etc. Anything can happen in the playoffs mid. Although Spur Fans are talking all this , but I guarantee you Pop would rather play Utah in the first round than the underachieving Lakers.
Clippers sweeping your sorry asses should've been the proverbial straw, but you're a homer till the end, ain't ya?
Then you're an idiot, because research shows there's not a major correlation between playing well right before the playoffs and playing well IN the playoffs.... not to mention, even if it were true, the Lakers haven't even played that well lately, getting blown out by playoff teams and eking by bad teams who flat-out tank the games....
Gotta disagree with you on this one. Dirk has never been a solid defender. At best he average. Average doesn't equal solid. A solid defender has his moments when he shuts someone down. Dirk had never done that. Imo if he had ever learned post defense he would be far closer in the goat pf race even with only one le.
This again mid? We've discussed this ad nauseum already. I always have hope.
Are you salty?
Anywho. 2008. Lakers were favored over Boston (SMDH). We played really well going into the Finals (including pushing the Spurs' in
^Perkins & that other guy up front with him beat our brains in. Perkins was having none of our happy horse . in' animal.
You're actually proving my point: momentum doesn't matter nearly as much as you claim, tbh.... the Lakers' better play leading up to the Finals didn't stop the C's from whooping that ass.....Are you salty?
Anywho. 2008. Lakers were favored over Boston (SMDH). We played really well going into the Finals (including pushing the Spurs' in
Kobe Defying Age
By Jay Cipoletti
The Lakers' recent surge into playoff contention has been driven, unsurprisingly, by the play of Kobe Bryant. In his 17th year, "Vino" is playing his best basketball when his franchise needs him the most. At least that is storyline -- like wine, Kobe is improving with age.
Is that accurate? Not really. That does not make what Kobe is doing this year any less remarkable, however. His current effective field goal percentage of 51.7% would be a career high if he maintains it through the end of the season. At first glance that might suggest he is playing better than ever, although coming off a career worst 46.2% eFG last year might also suggest this year is a reversion to his career mean of 48.8% eFG.
What you may also notice is how narrow that 17-year range is. For a high usage player to never vary between 46.2% - 51.7% eFG is a testament to that player's consistency. Then consider that these past two seasons represent his shooting book ends. Through his first 15 years, Kobe's eFG never dropped below 46.8% or climbed above 50.3%.
That sustained level of consistent excellence presents itself again and again when looking at Kobe's career. He followed a rookie season in which he posted an Offensive Rating of 103.1 in 16 minutes per game, with a sop re season 109.5 OffRtg in 26 minutes per game. This season Kobe is producing 107.1 points per 100 possessions -- matching his career median output.
No, Kobe is not getting better with age ... he is defying age. For a player in his 17th season to show no discernible decline in performance, usage or minutes played is unheard of. To understand how rare that consistency triumvirate is, we can compare Kobe with a couple of his fellow '96 draftees.
Allen Iverson and Marcus Camby were taken No. 1 and No. 2, followed shortly after by Ray Allen (5th), Kobe (13th) and Steve Nash (15th). Iverson and Allen provide the best comparison, both for the combination of production, usage and minutes played, and for the context they provide on the impact of age.
After a Usage Rate of 21.1% in his rookie year, Ray Allen's usage hovered between 24.1%-29.3% for a decade. Beginning with the 2007-08 season at the age of 32, his usage dipped to 21.6%. Allen has seen his usage rate drop steadily each year since, bottoming out at 18.6% last year. While his offensive production has remained steady and his defensive production has actually improved, he is shouldering less of the offensive load in nearly 11 fewer minutes per game than he has averaged over his career.
Iverson followed a similar path. After a decade of 40+ minutes per game and eight consecutive seasons of Usage Rates exceeding 32.3%, his usage dropped to 29.1% in 2006-07. That decline was followed by seasons of 26.6%, 26.1% and finally in 2009-10, in his final season at the age of 34, a usage rate of 22.7% in only 30 minutes per game.
Through 62 games Kobe's Usage Rate stands at 31.8%, higher than nine of his previous 16 seasons. He has played more than the 38 minutes per game he is averaging this year in only five seasons, and through March 6th he had logged more minutes than any other player in the league.
At 34 years old, despite playing more minutes and using more possessions than he has averaged over his career, Kobe Bryant is displaying the same offensive efficiency he has shown throughout his outstanding career.
He is not getting better with age. Kobe is stamping his name amongst the all-time greats by not showing any signs of aging at all.
More at LINK
Sure.Kobe Defying Age
By Jay Cipoletti
The Lakers' recent surge into playoff contention has been driven, unsurprisingly, by the play of Kobe Bryant. In his 17th year, "Vino" is playing his best basketball when his franchise needs him the most. At least that is storyline -- like wine, Kobe is improving with age.
Is that accurate? Not really. That does not make what Kobe is doing this year any less remarkable, however. His current effective field goal percentage of 51.7% would be a career high if he maintains it through the end of the season. At first glance that might suggest he is playing better than ever, although coming off a career worst 46.2% eFG last year might also suggest this year is a reversion to his career mean of 48.8% eFG.
What you may also notice is how narrow that 17-year range is. For a high usage player to never vary between 46.2% - 51.7% eFG is a testament to that player's consistency. Then consider that these past two seasons represent his shooting book ends. Through his first 15 years, Kobe's eFG never dropped below 46.8% or climbed above 50.3%.
That sustained level of consistent excellence presents itself again and again when looking at Kobe's career. He followed a rookie season in which he posted an Offensive Rating of 103.1 in 16 minutes per game, with a sop re season 109.5 OffRtg in 26 minutes per game. This season Kobe is producing 107.1 points per 100 possessions -- matching his career median output.
No, Kobe is not getting better with age ... he is defying age. For a player in his 17th season to show no discernible decline in performance, usage or minutes played is unheard of. To understand how rare that consistency triumvirate is, we can compare Kobe with a couple of his fellow '96 draftees.
Allen Iverson and Marcus Camby were taken No. 1 and No. 2, followed shortly after by Ray Allen (5th), Kobe (13th) and Steve Nash (15th). Iverson and Allen provide the best comparison, both for the combination of production, usage and minutes played, and for the context they provide on the impact of age.
After a Usage Rate of 21.1% in his rookie year, Ray Allen's usage hovered between 24.1%-29.3% for a decade. Beginning with the 2007-08 season at the age of 32, his usage dipped to 21.6%. Allen has seen his usage rate drop steadily each year since, bottoming out at 18.6% last year. While his offensive production has remained steady and his defensive production has actually improved, he is shouldering less of the offensive load in nearly 11 fewer minutes per game than he has averaged over his career.
Iverson followed a similar path. After a decade of 40+ minutes per game and eight consecutive seasons of Usage Rates exceeding 32.3%, his usage dropped to 29.1% in 2006-07. That decline was followed by seasons of 26.6%, 26.1% and finally in 2009-10, in his final season at the age of 34, a usage rate of 22.7% in only 30 minutes per game.
Through 62 games Kobe's Usage Rate stands at 31.8%, higher than nine of his previous 16 seasons. He has played more than the 38 minutes per game he is averaging this year in only five seasons, and through March 6th he had logged more minutes than any other player in the league.
At 34 years old, despite playing more minutes and using more possessions than he has averaged over his career, Kobe Bryant is displaying the same offensive efficiency he has shown throughout his outstanding career.
He is not getting better with age. Kobe is stamping his name amongst the all-time greats by not showing any signs of aging at all.
More at LINK
- One of the worst starting defensive 2s in the league.
- Other playoff teams consistently hold him at or below season averages.
- Leads the league in TOs.
- Not hard to fill up a stat sheet in D'Antoni's system, especially if you dominate the ball as much as Kobe.
- Terrible in crunch time this year.
- Despite his "resurgence," ranks only 11th in PER.
He's having a solid year, but nothing extraordinary. In fact, the stats suggest he's playing as expected given his age and mileage.
Kobe has averaged 24.9 points on .416 shooting against plus .500 West and East playoff teams (including Utah) since January 1 (I used the New Year as my cutoff, since Kobe was indeed "Vino" for the first two months of the season. The turning point was that New Years loss against the Sixers, after which the Lakers started playing like Magic's infected ass, Kobe included). Not bad at all for a 34 year old, but nothing to really raise eyebrows at, either. Easy to be "Vino" against ty tanking teams.
Last edited by midnightpulp; 04-12-2013 at 03:21 AM.
Last edited by LkrFan; 04-12-2013 at 03:37 AM.
A PER below 25 has never once been considered an "extraordinary" year. It's an all-star year, nothing more. Just because Kirby can fill it up against the Blazers and Pelicans doesn't make him the exception.
Lol. James doesn't dominate the ball more than Kobe, at least as far as shot attempts go. His usage percentage is two points lower while his pace is 4 points lower. As for who has the ball in his hands for a greater amount of time on average, I don't know. But I would be willing to bet it's about equal.
To which you replied:"Other playoff teams consistently hold him at or below his season averages"
Say it again:False
'Kobe has averaged 24.9 points on .416 shooting against plus .500 West and East playoff teams (including Utah) since January 1 (I used the New Year as my cutoff, since Kobe was indeed "Vino" for the first two months of the season. The turning point was that New Years loss against the Sixers, after which the Lakers started playing like Magic's infected ass, Kobe included). Not bad at all for a 34 year old, but nothing to really raise eyebrows at, either. Easy to be "Vino" against ty tanking teams."
And looking at the stats, even if I were to factor in the first two months of the season, he'd still rate below his season averages against the better teams. Kobe's done an exceptional job of padding against bottom feeders. Props
First two months of the season against playoff teams:
And looking at the stats, even if I were to factor in the first two months of the season, he'd still rate below his season averages against the better teams. Kobe's done an exceptional job of padding against bottom feeders. Props
29.2 on .426 shooting.
"Vino."
Still not gonna hate too much, though. Pretty solid for his age. If he played some defense, it'd be even more impressive.
Kobe shoots - that's in his DNA - and I never denied that. James has tried (and failed) at trying to outdo Kobe (i.e. the very next game after Kobe set the record for points at MSG, LBJ put up around 50). That's not James' game, but like he said a few years back he could lead the league in scoring if he wanted to. I don't think he ever did IIRC.A PER below 25 has never once been considered an "extraordinary" year. It's an all-star year, nothing more. Just because Kirby can fill it up against the Blazers and Pelicans doesn't make him the exception.
Lol. James doesn't dominate the ball more than Kobe, at least as far as shot attempts go. His usage percentage is two points lower while his pace is 4 points lower. As for who has the ball in his hands for a greater amount of time on average, I don't know. But I would be willing to bet it's about equal.
To which you replied:
Say it again:
'Kobe has averaged 24.9 points on .416 shooting against plus .500 West and East playoff teams (including Utah) since January 1 (I used the New Year as my cutoff, since Kobe was indeed "Vino" for the first two months of the season. The turning point was that New Years loss against the Sixers, after which the Lakers started playing like Magic's infected ass, Kobe included). Not bad at all for a 34 year old, but nothing to really raise eyebrows at, either. Easy to be "Vino" against ty tanking teams."
And looking at the stats, even if I were to factor in the first two months of the season, he'd still rate below his season averages against the better teams. Kobe's done an exceptional job of padding against bottom feeders. Props
Let's look at the context of the bolded paragraph and be honest here: Kobe can score on any team he wants whether they are elite or not. Just like Shaq before him, he had to sacrifice his game for Howard to get off so that he would guard the yard. The Lakers' record is much better when Howard scores 20+. During their last 6 games Kobe is averaging 28.0 points, 9.2 assists, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.2 blocks.
That is hardly indicative of someone in his 17th year playing against guys a decade or more younger than he is. I doubt LBJ is balling like Kobe is when LBJ is in his 17th year.
Kobe is right there where MJ was at the same age:
MJ at 34: 28.7ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.5apg. 46.5%
Kobe at 34: 27.3ppg, 5.6rpg, 6.0apg. 46.3%
So yeah, he's having an average year.
Lol. Kobe isn't sacrificing his game at all for Howard. He's playing 45 minutes a game (and don't give that that the Lakers "need" him playing that many minutes. Artest was the only injured wing during minutegate) and shooting to his heart's content. And Howard doesn't seem too thrilled in the many post-game conferences I've watched, always stating how the Lakers "need to play the right way" and "move the ball."Kobe shoots - that's in his DNA - and I never denied that. James has tried (and failed) at trying to outdo Kobe (i.e. the very next game after Kobe set the record for points at MSG, LBJ put up around 50). That's not James' game, but like he said a few years back he could lead the league in scoring if he wanted to. I don't think he ever did IIRC.
Let's look at the context of the bolded paragraph and be honest here: Kobe can score on any team he wants whether they are elite or not. Just like Shaq before him, he had to sacrifice his game for Howard to get off so that he would guard the yard. The Lakers' record is much better when Howard scores 20+. During their last 6 games Kobe is averaging 28.0 points, 9.2 assists, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.2 blocks.
That is hardly indicative of someone in his 17th year playing against guys a decade or more younger than he is. I doubt LBJ is balling like Kobe is when LBJ is in his 17th year.
Kobe is right there where MJ was at the same age:
MJ at 34: 28.7ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.5apg. 46.5%
Kobe at 34: 27.3ppg, 5.6rpg, 6.0apg. 46.3%
So yeah, he's having an average year.
And no, Kobe can't score at will "against any team in the league," as the stats clearly show, unless you consider near 40 percent shooting "at will." I don't.
The MJ comparison fails because he played in a grind-it-out system. Kobe plays in SSOL 2.0. You know, the same system that had Nash averaging just as many assists as Magic.
Magic in '88 (a championship year; 28 years old): 19.6ppg, 11.9apg, 6.2rpg, .492
Nash in '10 (reached the WCF; 35 years old): 16.5ppg, 11.0apg, 3.5rpg, .507
So I guess a past his prime Steve Nash is on a similar level as Magic in his prime?
I don't think you guys appreciate the kind of boost D'Antoni's system can give to a player's offense. Comes with a sacrifice at the defense end, of course, a side of the ball that Kobe rarely visits these days, unless it's blocking scrubs like Will Barton.
Kobe isn't having an "average" year. He's having a solid, all-star year worthy of an aging superstar player. But there's nothing really exceptional about it that it'll one day wind up as a featured exhibit in Springfield.
They are hardly playing SSOL - they don't have the age or personnel - and you know it.
Who would compare Nash to Magic? I wouldn't even compare ringless Stockton to Magic. But the Kobe comparison with MJ at the same age is legit.
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