The Best Player on the Planet? How to Stop Kobe Bryant in the Playoffs
74Introduction
Without a doubt Kobe Bryant is one of the best players in the NBA. Some referred to Bryant as the best player on the planet. Really? The best player on the planet? Even though I am a Laker fan, I will beg to differ. In two of the last three appearances in the NBA Finals, Kobe was neutralized and the Lakers failed to capture the title. In both championship finals against the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics, the opposing teams used the same formula to shut him down. The secret: guard Kobe with a taller but equally athletic defender. Even though Kobe and the Lakers broke through to win the 2009 NBA Championship, Kobe still struggled in the 2009 playoffs against taller defenders like Shane Battier and Ron Artest of the Houston Rockets. In the first series of the 2010 playoffs, Bryant had difficulty with Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The best player on the planet must find a way to play well against every kind of defender.
Kobe Bryant
Great but No Superman
Kobe Bryant's individual accolades speak for themselves. From the day he set his feet on the Laker's court, he has fulfilled almost all expectations. Still, he has not won a championship without another superstar such as Shaq by his side. This year it seems he has an excellent supporting cast that could help him get another title. The problem is that no matter how many of his plays reach the ESPN highlight reels, Kobe Bryant does not have the goods or the heart to do it on his own. His main achilles heel is the taller equally athletic defender.
The Best Basketball Player
Who is the Best Basketball Player on the Planet?
See results without votingTayshaun Prince
NBA Finals 2004
In the 2004 NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons shut down Kobe Bryant by defending him with Tayshaun Prince. Prince is 6-9; Bryant is three inches shorter at 6-6. Both are equally athletic and Kobe could not shot over him.
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
NBA Finals 2008
Fast forward to the 2008 NBA Finals. The Boston Celtices employ the same defensive strategy as Detroit by placing Paul Pierce on Bryant. Like Tayshaun Prince, Pierce is taller than Kobe but 6-7 by only one inch. Bryant's success against the Celtic superstar was less than stellar.
The Best Player of the Decade
Who has been the best player of the decade (2000-2009)?
See results without votingWhat Happens If Kobe Has to Face This Guy?
2009 NBA Playoffs
So what happens if the Lakers meet the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals? What happens when the 6-6 kobe Bryant meets the 6-9 LeBron James? If Cleveland puts LeBron on Kobe it could be another disappointing end to Kobe's season.
Kobe did not have to face LeBron James in the 2009 playoffs, but did struggle against the Houston Rockets and their tandem of taller, defensive specialists Ron Artest and Shane Battier.
Best Player in Their Era
Who was the best basketball player in their era?
See results without voting2009 Off-season - Kobe Adds New Aresenal
In the off season before the new 2009-2010 campaign, Kobe improved his claim as the premier player in the NBA by working on his low post game. This hub was originally written to expose a weakness in Kobe's game. It says that Kobe can be stopped by a taller athletic defender. To his credit, during the summer of 2009, Kobe went down to Houston to get low post pointers from former Houston Rockets great Hakeem Olajuwon. By being humble and teachable, Kobe demonstrated that even a great talent with tremendous skills can always get better. This is truly a sign of greatness.
2010 Playoffs - Kobe Struggles Against Kevin Durant
In the opening series of 2010 Playoffs, despite his schooling by Hakeem Olajuwon in the off-season, Kobe struggled against the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder. While he had a begin game 5, Bryant had difficulty getting past the Thinder's better defensive players especially against the taller Kevin Durant.
Kobe's Black Mamba Face Working Against Him
Kobe is an incredibly intense competitor. No doubt he wants to win and he does a great job driving his team. But, what's up with the corny barracuda teeth? I am a Laker fan. I have been a Laker fan since the days of Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, but Kobe's angry face makes me laugh more than anything and also makes me want to root for the other team. Michael Jordan was intense, but toyed with opponents with the wagging tongue. I'll take the wagging tongue over the barracuda/black mamba teeth any day.
Kobe Exacts Revenge - Leads Lakers to Second Consecutive NBA Championship
Kobe Bryant staked further claim to the best player on the planet in June 2010 when he led the Los Angeles Lakers to their second straight NBA Championship and fifth in ten years. In what proved to be sweet revenge of the NBA Finals loss in 2008, Kobe led the Lakers over their archrival Boston Celtics in the seventh and deciding game of their best of seven series. Kobe did not have a stellar offensive performance in Game 7 as Boston choked him down with their tough team defense. However like a true champion, he found other ways to contribute as he pulled down 15 rebounds and made some clutch shots and free throws down the stretch.
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Tonight, against 6-7 Ronnie Brewer, Kobe shot only 5 of 24 from the field.
Sorry Pierce did not shut Kobe down. The Celtics played a sound team defense sending multiple rotating defenders at Bryant especially when he attemtped to the drive to the basket. Pierce has never been an elite defender and frankly you are giving him more credit than he deserves. Kobe missed alot of looks that he usually would have made in game 1. The defense was not as tight as in the 2nd half of the series. Kobe scored well in games 2 and 3. The Celtics played phenomenal team defense from games 4-6. Too many media give Pierce and Allen more credit than they deserve in that series. Garnett, Posey(key) and Rondo were the highest contributors in the Finals, not Allen and Pierce. They also got away with alof of fouls and lane violations but that cannot be changed.
Kobe also torched Brewer the next game for 38 and 31 in game 5. Sorry you sound like a typical Kobe hater. If you do not like Bryant, fine. I do not like everything about him but you cannot deny the talent that he is. Prince has never accomplished nor has the talent to do what Bryant has done. Nor Allen, or Pierce.
You should read Friedman's work on the 2008 Finals. Kobe did not play as bad as most believe.
JC seems to make good comments. However, I am by no means a Kobe hater; I just don't believe he deserves or has ever deserved the title as "the best player on the plaent."
I agree that Boston played excellent team defense, but I am confident that if anyone watches the series again they will see that Kobe was largely ineffective when they switched defenders from Allen to Pierce. In the same way he was ineffective when Prince was guarding him.
No doubt Kobe proved me wrong in the next game against the Jazz, but I still believe he has a hard time putting up the same numbers against a taller equally athletic defender. I do not pretend that Brewer is in the same league as Kobe, but I do believe that if the Cavs put James on Kobe the rest of the team better step up.
One more final note. In the last two seasons, Kobe has become a more complete player by getting the other players involved. And, the Lakers do have a more well-rounded team. I simply cannot subscribe to the idea that Kobe is the best player on the planet.
Being a Laker fan all my life, I do hope the Lakers win it all.
What about Lebron or another player? Lebron shot worse against the Celtics(LBJ: 35%. KB: 40%). Lost game 7 by taking foolish 3s when they were not neccessay. Kid gets too many breaks and excuses. Kobe has been versatile for years. 1 of only 5 playes to average 20+ ppg, 5+ rpg and 5+ apg multiple seaons this decade(James, Wade, McGrady, Bryant, Garnett). Kobe has mellowed out but that is due to several factors. His team as a whole is better than it was after 04. Kobe has played well within the Lakers before when they won championships. Kobe was the primary facilitator espcially during the 01 run when he dominated the Spurs and Kings. He has taken too many risks during games too often which is his biggest flaw due to his overconfidence but no players has the combination of refined skill, natural talent, athletcism and confidence of Bryant. Peers echo his place for too long. Lebron is improving but still off. Taht is why no current player or coach has called him the best. Skill and talent wise he is not no matter what numbers he puts up. Game recognizes game. Still relies on his athleticism too much. Subpar post game. Should be a dominant post player by now with his potential and age if he was dedicated as he says he is. Shooting is still subpar overall outside fo 5 feet(35%) according to NBA.com HotSpots. Free throws have improved marginally. Should not have the skill flaws that he has but like a few others have questioned his dedication for years. Dominates through size and atheleticism not skill like Bryant and other players do. Plays more like a Shaq on the perimeter similiar to what Jamal Mashburn stated on ESPN a few months ago than Jordan and Magic.
James could stay with Kobe but Kobe has scored against James consistently over the last several seasons. James played the best defense I have ever seen him play last year in L.A. for a quarter but this plast season Kobe could still get his shot off including the rocket to the moon touch shot fadeaway over Lebron in Cleveland. Kobe is not perfect but is a complete scorer that scores in multiple ranges and stages. James is still a primary slasher and relies on finishes for half of hsi attempts according to his shooting stats from NBA.com Hot Spots. We will have to waid and see. Should be a good Finals series.
Dear Mr JC, These are all excellent points. I can concede them all.This hub is not about Lebron's effectveness against the Celtics. It is about how to render Kobe ineffective in a championship series. The Pistons in 2004 and the Celtics in 2008 found the key and exploited it. If you think me a traitor for pointing out a chink in the Laker's armor I guess so. You make my point quite well when you say James dominates by size and athleticism. It is likely the Lakers will meet the Cavs in this year's finals. If that comes about and if the Cavs put James on Kobe we will see if what I say is true or not.
Incidentally, in their two meetings this year (one in which Kobe was sick), neither played that well, albeit by the box score Kobe played slightly better than Lebron. The Lakers dominated both games.
JC, Thank you for this time of friendly debate. I have enjoyed it very much.
It seems as if in last night's game one against the Rockets, Kobe tried to prove something about playing against bigger defenders. He took the bait of Artest and Battier and left his team on the sideline.
In game two of the Rockets-Lakers series, Kobe took up the challenge and burned Battier and Artest. It seems Houston has decided that if Kobe wants to take the series, he'll have to do it himself. This means the Rockets seem to be clamping down on everyone else and attempting to cause Bryant to do it alone. Kobe one on five has been a disaster in the past, but he was up to the challenge last night. Pau Gasol stepped up nicely to give Kobe some support.
At this time I will retract some of my criticism of Kobe. He had a tremendous series against the Denver Nuggets. LeBron James' melt down after his team lost to Orlando showed that he is immature and not ready to be crowned king of the NBA. I guess Kobe holds the title by default.
Let me be the first to congratulate the Lakers and Kobe Bryant on a well-deserved championship. Although, I still don't like the title "Best player on the planet," Kobe certainly deserved being named MVP of the series, and since he took his team all the way to the championship, he proved that at the end of the whole NBA season he is this season's best player in the NBA.
I am now going to contradict myself only because Kob Bryant has risen to a new level. Like Michael Jordan and many other great athletes, Kobe Bryant took time during the off-season to upgrade his skills. He went down to Houston and met with Hakeem Olajuwon to learn how to play better in the post against big men. This kind of dedication and tenacity proves that Kobe is the best player on the planet. Four rings, an MVP, voted the best player in the new millenium, and he is still trying to upgrade his skills. Extremely impressive!
Kobe is a superman:)
Dr. Eesti krovpall, Perhaps, but even Superman had his weaknesses.
Kobe is a good player, but not the best,Lebron James is.
a complete joke i be thinking kids are riging these sites kobe is a jjjoke
The only guy the shut Kobe heavily is Tayshaun..
All you idiots who say Lebron is better...fine go sit around with your zero championships and say he is...it just shows your lack of intelligence...and if you are worried about what Kobe looks like after he makes a shot then you watch basketball for entirely different reasons than I do.
Thank you for acknowledging players other than Kobe Bryant. Really interesting analysis of players and games! I really enjoyed it!
Jordan was probably more dominant when he played then Kobe when has been. There were just less players of that caliber. Now there's so many more. But why was Ricky Rubio on that list?
Thanks jg555 for stopping in and commenting. You ask a good question about Ricky Rubio? To be honest, I wrote it so long ago I cannot remember why I included him. I do remember that the commentators for the 2008 Olympics were impressed how well he layed against the US team in the finals. And, after that performance many pro teams were interested in signing him even though he was only 17. He has the potential of being a new Pete Maravich.
How many championships did Kobe win with a nobody supporting cast? I will admit that forever MJ will be my favorite player of all time and no doubt Phil Jackson took a bunch of nobodies and perfected their skill levels that probably shocked the players themselves. Kobe is a freak of nature on the court, but I can't help but to just plain dislike him. I don't what it is, I just don't like him! We all know who the greatest player of all time is. If you ask me it's KG, all around player on & OFF the court!
ringlawncare, I have to agree that there is a lot not to like about Kobe. His overdramatized "black mamba" face to name one. I loved to watch Michael Jordan too, but his speech at the Hall of Fame acceptance ceremony showed he was no less arrogant. I guess I still see MJ as the best ever, but who did he play against. I don't think the league had an overwhelming pool of talent in 1990s (including as you say MJs supporting cast with the Chicago Bulls). However, the 1980s Philadelphia 76ers showed that superior talent does not necessarily lead to championships. The Chicago Bulls had a solid cast of role players including Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman (both in the Hall of Fame). Of course, Kobe had Shaq for the first three and Pao Gasol and Lamar Odom for the second set. You cannot say KG's ring came surrounded by a bunch of nobodies. He had Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and the most underrated point guard in Rajan Rondo who is at his best (maybe best in the league) in the playoffs.
Niiiiiiiiice
in the last three times Kobe has been to the finals he has one 2 what is your article based on?
Tommy Ross, You ask a great question. Certainly Kobe has proved himself worthy. This article was written nearly three years ago. Still, the point of the article at the time was that if a team put the right guy on him, Kobe comes down to reality and can be neutralized. Even though he helped his team win the championship in 2010 in a Final Game 7 against Boston, his performance was less than magical. Kobe does not play well against a team with a taller defender who is almost as athletic. However, as pointed out in the discussion above, to his credit Kobe went out after one of the seasons and asked Hakeem Olajuwon to tutor him in the low post. Kobe did not rest in his laurels. He learned a new skill. That is very impressive. And, I admit his record is more impressive than LeBron James because he brought his team into the winner's circle twice during LeBron's time in the league and LeBron has failed to bring home even one. Still Kobe struggles when playing against taller defenders who know how to move their feet.
great playes dontneed magical trancending performances each night out its the will to win look at the stats Jordan at this aged struggled in the playoffs majority of the time However he would always will his team to a victory or shoot them out of one. Bu this pressence on the floor either way was the key. Kobe struggles against taller defenders as most people who play against basketball do. What is suprising is that the people guarding Jordan werent as big as him or taller than him yet gave him fits. Its normal to struggle against a person that is taller than you an djust as fast but you can slow Kobe down bu tyou cannot stop him. Lebron all you have ot do is let him shoot from outsie of the paint.
Thank you Tommy. I appreciate your input very much. You make excellent points and actually I agree with most, if not all, of them. Personally, I wrote this because I hate the phrase "best player on the planet." I also wrote it because there is a way to stop him that Detroit and Boston exploited and beat the Lakers in two different Championship series'. I do love that Kobe learned the lesson to trust his other players and distribute the ball. As for Jordan, I think you make excellent points too. I am coming to the realization that the talent pool and thus the opposing competition in the 1990s was not that great. This was especially true among the upper echelon teams. It seems to me that the upper echelon teams of the 1980s and 2000s were stronger than the 1990s.
goldentoad 3 years ago
I think this is Kobe's last run, before LeBron just takes over