LeBron James: Getting Better
Posted on December 7, 2008
Here at Respect Kobe, we pride ourselves on being fair and rational in our evaluation of players — including our beloved Kobe Bryant, as well as any challengers to his title of “best basketball player alive.” Yes, we do happen to think that Kobe Bryant is decidedly better than LeBron James. But we also think that any Kobe fans who deny that James is closing gap are in denial, while those who say, “LeBron sucks!” are just plain stupid. Yeah, I said it. Continue reading
Filed Under 3-Point Shooting, Defense, Free Throw Shooting, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Mid-Range Jumpshot, Statistics, poor shooting | 30 Comments
LeBron’s Fabled Mid-Range Improvements
Posted on December 6, 2008
This may surprise you — if you’ve read some of my past work, you may have gotten the opposite impression — but I’m a big fan of LeBron James. How can I not be? Much like Kobe Bryant, I can’t help but respect the rare combination of incredible talent and the work ethic to match.
The problem is that fans of LeBron tend to want to give him credit even for things he has not yet accomplished. That’s not only unfair to other players, but it’s also a disservice to LeBron James himself.
Case in point: LeBron’s supposed “improved mid-range shooting.” The question is: Has he actually improved? Continue reading
Filed Under Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Mid-Range Jumpshot, Statistics, poor shooting | 13 Comments
An Early Look at the 2009 NBA Champions
Posted on October 28, 2008
As part of CelticsBlog‘s annual NBA Blogger Previews, I have volunteered to preview the Lakers this year. I know, I know: CelticsBlog? But not to worry — all those Celtics fans can enjoy reading about their futures for June!
Click here to view other Lakers previews, as well as previews of our four Pacific Division rivals. You can also check out… Continue reading
Filed Under Kobe Bryant | 17 Comments
State of the Union: Part Deux
Posted on August 12, 2008
A few weeks ago, I wrote a sort of State of the Union for RespectKobe.com, outlining some changes you could expect to see here. I’ve received a number of responses, and I want to take some time to respond to them here.
First, I want to extend to my readers the option of contributing guest articles.
Second, I’d like to request your assistance, both with some of the research that I typically do for my articles, and also by asking for your input on articles that I’ll be writing in the future.
Finally, I’ll address the issue of donations, and I’ll fill you in on my involvement at Hardwood Paroxysm.
Click below to read about all of this, and more. Continue reading
Filed Under Kobe Bryant | 12 Comments
The Most Valuable Column
Posted on August 6, 2008
A few of you have already discovered this, but for those of you who have not, I have a new announcement for you. As of two weeks ago (apologies for the delayed announcement), I am a regular contributor at Hardwood Paroxysm. My MVP column, entitled the Most Valuable Column, will appear on HP every other Wednesday.
If you haven’t yet seen my introductory column from two weeks ago, click here to check it out.
Once you’ve read that, click here to read today’s column, which addresses the issue of the 50-win standard (which I have referred to here at Respect Kobe as the Bryant-Nash Rule). As Henry Abbott pointed out on TrueHoop, it’s a long post — but if you wonder at all about the 50-win standard, and whether or not we should adhere to it in determining the MVP, then I think it’s worth your time. So head on over to Hardwood Paroxysm and check it out.
Click the Continue reading… link below for excerpts and more information. Continue reading
Filed Under Hardwood Paroxysm, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, MVC, MVP, Most Valuable Column | 1 Comment