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NBA Offseason 2013 - Page 65

Forum Index > Sports
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MassHysteria
Profile Joined October 2010
United States3678 Posts
August 07 2013 03:16 GMT
#1281
If you have a problem with what I said you just didn't read carefully. Simple as that. Nothing I said was subjective. Go ask NBA executives who the most skilled player was up until Kobe's injury and see what they tell you.
"Just ban all the J's...even jinklejoes" --unnamed source
TwoToneTerran
Profile Joined March 2009
United States8841 Posts
August 07 2013 03:21 GMT
#1282
On August 07 2013 12:16 MassHysteria wrote:
If you have a problem with what I said you just didn't read carefully. Simple as that. Nothing I said was subjective. Go ask NBA executives who the most skilled player was up until Kobe's injury and see what they tell you.


Yes, let me just dial up the NBA executives. Clearly you've gotten their opinions, can you lend me their numbers?

What you're saying is wrong because it's clearly wrong. If you can't read the things I said correctly then that's not my fault (See how obnoxious this is?).
Remember Violet.
RowdierBob
Profile Blog Joined May 2003
Australia13296 Posts
August 07 2013 03:26 GMT
#1283
...You haven't defined skills. You vaguely opined about how Kobe working hard over a long time makes him most skilled?!

Dribbling a basketball is a skill. A hard work ethic is not. No one is denying Kobe's longevity and hard work ethic but that is simply a means to an end in terms of honing the skills he needs to compete in the NBA. How hard and for how long you work is not directly correlated to your skill level.

And for that matter, we have no idea how hard Kobe works versus his contemporaries. We all know Kobe's a hard worker, but how do you know there aren't 100 guys in the league who work equally as hard (if not more)?

Kobe working long and hard to hone his on court skills does not make him the most "skilled player". I mean, there are demonstrable and measurable skills in the NBA. You don't necessarily have to work the longest and hardest to be the most skilled at whatever, you just have to be the best at it.
"Terrans are pretty much space-Australians" - H
MassHysteria
Profile Joined October 2010
United States3678 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-08-07 03:29:15
August 07 2013 03:27 GMT
#1284
On August 07 2013 12:15 TwoToneTerran wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 07 2013 12:09 MassHysteria wrote:
How can you guys not say he is the most skilled? It is just kinda laughable that you disagree if you think about it. Like does your hate run that deep? I am not even a Kobe fan really..


As for people saying defense, no this isn't included. Because how can you quantify defensive skill in this? Defensive schemes have changed throughout Kobe's career. When Kobe came into the league, it wasn't what it is now. The schemes that teams are running now have really only taken a trend somewhat late into Kobe's career. You guys are judging his defense in the last few years (since 2008/09 when modern defenses started changing) compared to other players in teams running a great defensive system. Well those players are in their prime athletically.

One other thing about Kobe that might not be so obvious is how smart/intellectual he is about the game. When he has been able to play great defense for a whole game, he take days to recover because of his age. He can't do it anymore. It would be interesting to ask him if in his mind, he tries to take plays off/rest on defense in order to conserve his energy for offense and to carry the team. At least for this past season's end stretch. I wouldn't put it past him.


So because a skill became harder to learn, that gives Kobe a pass for being bad at it and it no longer qualifies as a skill? There are many great defenders who aren't incredibly athletic, you know this, right? If Kobe works so long and hard why do changing schemes affect him so much? I'd also like to know which schemes you're talking about because it sounds to me like you're just using a buzzword. Give me some defensive sets that went from vogue in the time spans you indicated to what replaced them.

It has nothing to do with Kobe hate. He is definitively less skilled at many, many skill based aspects of the game relative to elite players both in the league and at the guard position.

For instance, shot selection and passing ability aren't heavily reliant on athleticism (obviously you need some degree of athleticism to do ANYTHING in the NBA but we're working on degrees here), and Kobe isn't top 10 at either of those, right? And they're both skills, and they're both offensive, all the things that Kobe should be the best at but isn't if you want to say he's the most skilled. It's preposterous.

What are you talking about? I have posted many things about defenses changing since Thibs and the Celtics in 2008. If not, go do the research. I don't need to give you defensive sets to prove to you something that is so widely known.

And the bolded sentence is just ridiculous. You pretty much lost all credibility.

And passing ability is just something that all the Kobe haters like to harp on Kobe without actually looking at the numbers. The man has averaged almost 5 assist per game in his career as a SG.

And not getting into shot selection because that has been talked to death on here. I'll try to find a post I made about it some time ago. But it's not like I am going to say, well Kobe has great shot selection. Obviously that isn't his strength, and yet I still stand by what I said.

EDIT: you guys take things for black and white too much. Try to read what I say, it is very carefully thought out. I only try to put things in perspective...
"Just ban all the J's...even jinklejoes" --unnamed source
jmbthirteen
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
United States10734 Posts
August 07 2013 03:27 GMT
#1285
So basically Kobe is the best because he has worked harder and longer than anyone else? So because Kobe is older than LeBron and Durant, he is basically better than them.... Yeah... okay then.

Just because you've worked hard for years doesn't mean you are still the most skilled. Its not even a contest between LeBron and Kobe, or the rest of the NBA to be honest.
www.superbeerbrothers.com
MassHysteria
Profile Joined October 2010
United States3678 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-08-07 03:41:50
August 07 2013 03:30 GMT
#1286
Why does everyone like to jump on the work hard thing? It is like picking on low hanging fruit. I wasn't even going to put it in but figured you guys would be mature enough to handle reading that sentence all the way through.

EDIT:
There isn't another player who has worked as hard at honing his skill for as long as Kobe has. (read that carefully)


So if I were to proofread that sentence I would write
There isn't another player who has worked harder at honing his skill/craft for as long as Kobe has.


Hope that makes sense because I actually did not agree with my previous sentence either now that I read it.

But pretty much just means there isn't anyone who has worked harder than Kobe (it is fine if you want to say as hard but not harder) for as long as he has been doing it (seventeen years as a professional). Duncan maybe, but, objectively speaking, he is less skilled than Kobe is in the craft of basketball.
"Just ban all the J's...even jinklejoes" --unnamed source
RowdierBob
Profile Blog Joined May 2003
Australia13296 Posts
August 07 2013 03:43 GMT
#1287
TTT is right though. Just because Kobe isn't as skilled as some aspects of the game as guys like Durant, LeBron, it doesn't make him a bad players.

But there are definable skills like shooting, ball handling, passing in the NBA.

Is Kobe a better ball handler than CP3? No
Is Kobe a better three point shooter than Steph Curry? No
Is Kobe a better passer than LeBron? No

I'm struggling to understand you definition of "skilled" that we could apply then to Kobe being demonstrably "the most skilled". I read that "There isn't another player who has worked as hard at honing his skill for as long as Kobe has." But is this the criteria for becoming the NBA's most skilled? To work the longest and hardest at it? Why isn't Steve Nash more "skilled" than Kobe?
"Terrans are pretty much space-Australians" - H
TwoToneTerran
Profile Joined March 2009
United States8841 Posts
August 07 2013 03:45 GMT
#1288
On August 07 2013 12:27 MassHysteria wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 07 2013 12:15 TwoToneTerran wrote:
On August 07 2013 12:09 MassHysteria wrote:
How can you guys not say he is the most skilled? It is just kinda laughable that you disagree if you think about it. Like does your hate run that deep? I am not even a Kobe fan really..


As for people saying defense, no this isn't included. Because how can you quantify defensive skill in this? Defensive schemes have changed throughout Kobe's career. When Kobe came into the league, it wasn't what it is now. The schemes that teams are running now have really only taken a trend somewhat late into Kobe's career. You guys are judging his defense in the last few years (since 2008/09 when modern defenses started changing) compared to other players in teams running a great defensive system. Well those players are in their prime athletically.

One other thing about Kobe that might not be so obvious is how smart/intellectual he is about the game. When he has been able to play great defense for a whole game, he take days to recover because of his age. He can't do it anymore. It would be interesting to ask him if in his mind, he tries to take plays off/rest on defense in order to conserve his energy for offense and to carry the team. At least for this past season's end stretch. I wouldn't put it past him.


So because a skill became harder to learn, that gives Kobe a pass for being bad at it and it no longer qualifies as a skill? There are many great defenders who aren't incredibly athletic, you know this, right? If Kobe works so long and hard why do changing schemes affect him so much? I'd also like to know which schemes you're talking about because it sounds to me like you're just using a buzzword. Give me some defensive sets that went from vogue in the time spans you indicated to what replaced them.

It has nothing to do with Kobe hate. He is definitively less skilled at many, many skill based aspects of the game relative to elite players both in the league and at the guard position.

For instance, shot selection and passing ability aren't heavily reliant on athleticism (obviously you need some degree of athleticism to do ANYTHING in the NBA but we're working on degrees here), and Kobe isn't top 10 at either of those, right? And they're both skills, and they're both offensive, all the things that Kobe should be the best at but isn't if you want to say he's the most skilled. It's preposterous.

What are you talking about? I have posted many things about defenses changing since Thibs and the Celtics in 2008. If not, go do the research. I don't need to give you defensive sets to prove to you something that is so widely known.

And the bolded sentence is just ridiculous. You pretty much lost all credibility.

And passing ability is just something that all the Kobe haters like to harp on Kobe without actually looking at the numbers. The man has averaged almost 5 assist per game in his career as a SG.

And not getting into shot selection because that has been talked to death on here. I'll try to find a post I made about it some time ago. But it's not like I am going to say, well Kobe has great shot selection. Obviously that isn't his strength, and yet I still stand by what I said.

EDIT: you guys take things for black and white too much. Try to read what I say, it is very carefully thought out. I only try to put things in perspective...


You are the one who started out with the binary "Kobe is the best" soundbyte. It is not our fault if we ask you to elucidate on it.

No one has ever complimented Kobe's shot selection, not even those who would lick his pooper if given the chance.

Kobe is not a bad passer. He is hardly an elite passer and being elite at a skill is usually a requirement for being the best/most skilled.

"I don't need to prove what I said to prove what I said" is your argument on the defensive thing. Even if you're 100% correct, that's an excuse for why Kobe is bad at defense. As reasonable an excuse as it may be, it means that he is not skilled at defense. It inherently disproves both your statements, the first of which is Kobe is the best player in the world and Kobe is the most skilled player.
Remember Violet.
RowdierBob
Profile Blog Joined May 2003
Australia13296 Posts
August 07 2013 03:45 GMT
#1289
Kobe and Duncan play completely different positions though!

It honestly reads like your opining arbitrary and baseless statements based on your player fandom.
"Terrans are pretty much space-Australians" - H
BoZiffer
Profile Joined November 2011
United States1841 Posts
August 07 2013 03:48 GMT
#1290
On August 07 2013 12:09 MassHysteria wrote:

As for people saying defense, no this isn't included. Because how can you quantify defensive skill in this? Defensive schemes have changed throughout Kobe's career. When Kobe came into the league, it wasn't what it is now. The schemes that teams are running now have really only taken a trend somewhat late into Kobe's career. You guys are judging his defense in the last few years (since 2008/09 when modern defenses started changing) compared to other players in teams running a great defensive system. Well those players are in their prime athletically.



First - Defense must be accounted for as it is 50% of the entire game. How can it not be.

Second - Granted defensive schemes have changed over the duration of his tenure but at no point has "completely lapsing on knowing the location of your man" ever been part of it. His on-ball defense is simply poor. Yes there are nuances to how to play the high pick and roll, skills you might even say. And he has clearly NOT been very skilled at that for a long time. Its a fair criticism to point out, no?
MassHysteria
Profile Joined October 2010
United States3678 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-08-07 03:55:20
August 07 2013 03:51 GMT
#1291
On August 07 2013 12:43 RowdierBob wrote:
TTT is right though. Just because Kobe isn't as skilled as some aspects of the game as guys like Durant, LeBron, it doesn't make him a bad players.

But there are definable skills like shooting, ball handling, passing in the NBA.

Is Kobe a better ball handler than CP3? No
Is Kobe a better three point shooter than Steph Curry? No
Is Kobe a better passer than LeBron? No

I'm struggling to understand you definition of "skilled" that we could apply then to Kobe being demonstrably "the most skilled". I read that "There isn't another player who has worked as hard at honing his skill for as long as Kobe has." But is this the criteria for becoming the NBA's most skilled? To work the longest and hardest at it? Why isn't Steve Nash more "skilled" than Kobe?

Because he never was more skilled than Kobe was. Ever.

So I agree with your questions and answers Bob. But Kobe is(or was until his injury) more skilled at basketball than those players.

What I am saying is simple. Kobe is more skilled at the game of basketball. LBJ might surpass him very soon but his overall skill up until now has been of a lower level. And that is not a knock on Lebron at all, just the truth. In the last 2 years, Lebron has become the best post player in the league. And he is still getting better.

edit: @TTT, I never said Kobe is the best. Your blind hate be getting in your eyes again. This whole thing started because I was correcting someone who said Kobe is the best player on the planet.
"Just ban all the J's...even jinklejoes" --unnamed source
DystopiaX
Profile Joined October 2010
United States16236 Posts
August 07 2013 04:08 GMT
#1292
On August 07 2013 12:48 BoZiffer wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 07 2013 12:09 MassHysteria wrote:

As for people saying defense, no this isn't included. Because how can you quantify defensive skill in this? Defensive schemes have changed throughout Kobe's career. When Kobe came into the league, it wasn't what it is now. The schemes that teams are running now have really only taken a trend somewhat late into Kobe's career. You guys are judging his defense in the last few years (since 2008/09 when modern defenses started changing) compared to other players in teams running a great defensive system. Well those players are in their prime athletically.



First - Defense must be accounted for as it is 50% of the entire game. How can it not be.

Second - Granted defensive schemes have changed over the duration of his tenure but at no point has "completely lapsing on knowing the location of your man" ever been part of it. His on-ball defense is simply poor. Yes there are nuances to how to play the high pick and roll, skills you might even say. And he has clearly NOT been very skilled at that for a long time. Its a fair criticism to point out, no?

Yeah honestly half the players we're talking about now were in the league before 2008 (which according to him is the shifting point in NBA defense).
ketomai
Profile Joined June 2007
United States2789 Posts
August 07 2013 04:13 GMT
#1293
MassHysteria, you are really bad at arguing. Or a big troll

People are just simply asking you for a way to describe and qualify or quantify skill and how Kobe compares. You are just giving vague descriptions at best and it doesn't help that you reply to everyone who disagrees that they're "blinded by their hate".

Assume that I'm just unable to look up the definition of skill that you think is so obvious. Why is Lebron less "skilled" overall? Why is he a more "skilled" post player now? No "you don't even have to know, you can see it with your eyes". Explain it in detail for a dumb plebian like myself.
rabidch
Profile Joined January 2010
United States20289 Posts
August 07 2013 04:23 GMT
#1294
Kobe is the most skilled player in the league + Show Spoiler +
at generating discussion
LiquidDota StaffOnly a true king can play the King.
MassHysteria
Profile Joined October 2010
United States3678 Posts
August 07 2013 04:24 GMT
#1295
Haters.
"Just ban all the J's...even jinklejoes" --unnamed source
seiferoth10
Profile Joined May 2010
3362 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-08-07 04:25:43
August 07 2013 04:24 GMT
#1296
I can see where Mass is coming from. I'll try to clear it up with an analogy: Kobe : Lebron :: Hakeem : Shaq. This analogy only works on the offensive side though.
Itsmedudeman
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States19229 Posts
August 07 2013 04:30 GMT
#1297
This is what happens when you can't argue Kobe is more clutch anymore.
MassHysteria
Profile Joined October 2010
United States3678 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-08-07 04:36:43
August 07 2013 04:30 GMT
#1298
Agreed seiferoth. Hakeem was a more skilled player than Shaq (or Duncan.)

edit: @TTT: That was a joke. But you're still a player-hater =P.
"Just ban all the J's...even jinklejoes" --unnamed source
TwoToneTerran
Profile Joined March 2009
United States8841 Posts
August 07 2013 04:32 GMT
#1299
On August 07 2013 13:24 MassHysteria wrote:
Haters.


This is the ultimate shitty argument, by the by. If you don't actually have a logical reason or any proof behind your statements besides "Kobe has worked the longest and hardest to develop his skills" then you are nothing but fanwanking Kobe.
Remember Violet.
Itsmedudeman
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States19229 Posts
August 07 2013 04:32 GMT
#1300
So you're saying.. kobe takes harder shot attempts to meet the same ends less efficiently
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