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Originally Posted by rchanou
Do numbers tell everything? No. Have you seen how Kobe is being the floor general out there? Do you see all the double teams thrown at Kobe? These double teams freeing up other players, and with proper spacing from the triangle creating shot opportunities for others. It's no coincidence that Kobe has been the facilitator on 3 championship teams. Do you see how the Lakers get away from the gameplan when Kobe is not on the floor? Kobe does rebound well, he had 10 rebounds in game 2. He picks the Lakers up when they are down. More than anything Kobe has shown that he can play a team game. Not taking anything away from Lamar, he is simply abusing Marion on both defense and offense, but Kobe is simply leading this team to wins.
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I agree, numbers dont tell the WHOLE story, but they tell about 75% of the story. Hes no doubt playing the best team game he's ever played, but that doesnt mean that his best team game is better than lamar's. Yea, he does get doubled, but 7 out of 10 times, he'll refuse to give up the ball. Before converting into this 'team' player, he'd take that shot over the double team 9/10 times. This leaves outside shooters, ie, Sasha, Luke, Smush, Devean, Cook out of rhythm. Rhythm is the BIGGEST factor when it comes to shooter.
"Have you seen how Kobe is being the floor general out there? Do you see all the double teams thrown at Kobe? These double teams freeing up other players, and with proper spacing from the triangle creating shot opportunities for others. "
Did you see how the Lakers were forced to play without him for the entire second quarter (foul trouble)? Reading your statement, I would figure they would be down big after not having him in the game due to foul trouble. He left with the game tied, he came back with the game tied, nothing gained, nothing loss. Hes no general when it comes to making others better (i should've thrown in the Turn Over stat in there), he simply CAN NOT make anyone around him better. Who did all the hauling the second quarter? Lamar.
"Do you see how the Lakers get away from the gameplan when Kobe is not on the floor? "
And to answer, no, they do not. The ball moves more fluidly, without anyone holding on to the ball (with exception of Kwame, but hes a big) and people are getting the ball when theyre open.
"It's no coincidence that Kobe has been the facilitator on 3 championship teams. "
What you call a 'facilitator', i call a side kick. Names that bring this to mind would be: Scotty, Penny, and Kobe. Three rings, and three finals MVP. Shaq in his prime made everyone look good. See how Penny's career panned out after shaq left orlando. Those years with Shaq will go down as Kobe's best years in his career. Hes not made to be first option; hes a second option, gun-slinging, shot-jacking player.
"More than anything Kobe has shown that he can play a team game. "
Team basketball is winning basketball. Its nice that hes showing he can, but Id rather it being an afterthought about his game. No one ever says Magic knew how to play the team game, they say he was a great ......(fill in the blank). No mention of the team game, because it is implied.
Hes having a good series, but in no way is he the mvp of the playoffs or the regular season. Phils gameplan is just magnificient and has taken away Phx's strength. They cant run, theyre not shooting the 3's, and their second option is nulled by great defense and fatigue.