Clutch When It Mattered Most
Posted on December 8, 2008
The last in a series of three posts inspired by a single TrueHoop bullet, I’m back to weigh in on the question of who is “more clutch” — Kobe Bryant or LeBron James?
The overall “clutch” numbers, as defined by 82games.com, seem to indicate that LeBron edges Kobe out in this area. But here is the all-important question: Do the numbers tell the full story?
Here’s a hint: They don’t. But I know what does.
Filed Under Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Free Throw Shooting, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Statistics, assists, big games, clutch, leadership | 18 Comments
Kobe Bryant: Whatever It Takes
Posted on June 5, 2008
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Kobe Bryant has completely dominated these Playoffs.
More significantly, however, is how he has done so — in nearly every way imaginable. He has dominated the best teams in the NBA as a scorer. He has picked teams apart with his passing. He has played the role of decoy. He has taken over late in games. He has created for his teammates.
Simply put, he has done whatever was needed from him at any given moment.
Filed Under Boston Celtics, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, LeBron James, MVP, Michael Jordan, Nuggets, Playoffs, San Antonio Spurs, assists, big games, clutch, leadership | 2 Comments
MVN Lakers: They Don’t Have Kobe
Posted on May 25, 2008
I’ve posted a new Lakers article on MVN.com. Here’s a quick excerpt:
This is not the bold statement it would have been back in either the first or second round. By now, it should be clear.
The Lakers will win the championship this year.
You want a bold statement? I’ll take it one step further: It doesn’t matter who they face in the Finals.
The Real NBA Finals
In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers found themselves trailing the Spurs by 20 points, with a score of 45-65, with 5:39 remaining in the third quarter. The Spurs, the defending champions, looked completely unaffected by travel complications, lack of rest, and old age. Home court advantage, it seemed, was about to be stolen away from Los Angeles.
Only one problem: the Lakers had Kobe Bryant.
Click the link below, or head on over to MVN Lakers, for the rest of my article on why Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will win the championship this year.
Filed Under Boston Celtics, Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons, East vs. West, Eastern Conference, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, MVN Lakers, Playoffs, Rasheed Wallace, San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan, big games, clutch, leadership | 2 Comments
Kobe Bryant: Deliberately Arrogant
Posted on April 25, 2008
Kobe Bryant has done a lot of talking in the first two games of the Lakers’ first round series against the Nuggets. He has also backed it up with his play.
We could talk about everything Kobe Bryant did with the basketball in Game 2. We could talk about the 25 points he had at halftime on .667 shooting, including 10 straight made shots.
We could marvel at his final tally of 49 points and 10 assists while shooting 18-for-27, and the fact that he contributed directly to 71 of the Lakers’ 122 points.
We could compose a veritable highlight reel just from Kobe’s Game 2 performance, including high-flying fast break dunks, off-balance running jumpers, double-crossover drives, and of course, the acrobatic one-handed alley-oop off of Pau Gasol’s beautiful over-the-head lob.
But none of the above is the story of the game. The story of the game — nay, of the series — is, once again, Kobe Bryant’s on-court attitude. He’s confident. He’s cocky. In fact, he’s down right arrogant…
Filed Under J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, Nuggets, Playoffs, Teammate, arrogance, big games, cockiness, leadership, smack, trash talk | 15 Comments
Kobe Dominates — Even When He Doesn’t
Posted on April 24, 2008
And that, folks, is why Kobe Bryant deserves more credit for Sunday’s Game 1 than his 9-for-26 stat line would seem to indicate.
Yes, he shot poorly in Game 1. Yes, at times he failed to run the offense. And yes, he did finish with only one assist. On the other hand, however, he was the reason that Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Luke Walton were nearly unstoppable.
He made them pay, tallying 49 points and 10 assists on 18-27 shooting, directly contributing to 71 of the Lakers’ 122 points. His performance was exactly what the Nuggets were afraid of — and what they did their best to prevent — in Game 1. It is why they willingly left other Lakers unguarded…
Filed Under Kenyon Martin, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, MVP, Nuggets, Playoffs, Statistics, big games, leadership | 4 Comments