Peak Hakeem was a joy to watch. Seeing him school a young Shaq in the finals is among my favorite non-Celtics NBA moments.Hakeem's line in those two playoff runs: 30.9 ppg/10.7 rbg/4.4 apg, on .563 TS%, with 3.4 bgp/1.5 spg.
The big difference between Curry and Kobe on offense is the TS%. Curry is just a much, much more efficient scorer than Kobe was. That's true even adjusting for era: Kobe's TS%+ for his career is 104 and he peaked at 107; Curry's is 115 and he peaked at 124. Curry is 4th all-time in TS%, Kobe is 228th.I'm Team Curry in the argument but Kobe played a lot of his career in a slowed-down era, especially in the playoffs so Curry's counting stats are going to look a lot better. Kobe played in a lot of 90-90 playoff games.
What do you make of the fact then that neither Curry nor Harden has ever been recognized?I give zero credit to pre-analytics era All-defense teams, half of them were like Jeter's gold gloves. Bryant was not an elite defender he had a few good defensive seasons, but overall he was more of a solid defender than All-League.
Is that what I said? I am reminded of the line that is attributed to Mickey Mantle on Jose Canseco being the first 40/40 player: “Hell, if I’d known 40-40 was going to be a big deal, I’d have done it every year!”(I know you said you wouldn’t listen to any numbers that suggest Kobe is less great than Steph … just putting ‘em out there.)
That they aren't good defenders. Also they play in an era where the voters are much much better at identifying good defense and actually break down game tape.What do you make of the fact then that neither Curry nor Harden has ever been recognized?
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/23/sports/its-fascinating-watch-more-forthcoming-tom-brady-other-thoughts/In another Game 7 for the ages, Kevin Durant’s shoe size may have cost the Nets an appearance in the Eastern Conference finals. Durant reportedly wears a size 18 for games rather than his actual size 17 for street shoes, preferring the shoes feel loose while he’s on the court. That’s just about how much of Durant’s foot was over the 3-point line when he sent Game 7 against Milwaukee to overtime with a game-tying jumper rather than a game-winning three.
Yes, this is the first playoff period in a long time where I am just rooting for entertaining basketball. Feels good.I like both Eastern Conference teams, so I'm just going to root for entertaining basketball and may the best team win.
“Guys, just get a big lead”Feels like Milwaukee can just put the pedal down and end this. But Atlanta has the ability to stay close by unconscious shooting. If I were Bud, I'd be telling these guys to get a big lead and stop fucking around.
You said “any numbers that suggest that [Kobe’s] all-around game was less than Steph Curry and James Harden would make me question the usefulness of those metrics for comparing players across eras.” So you’re now apparently questioning the usefulness of scoring volume, scoring efficiency, rebound rate, assist rate, steal rate, raw plus-minus, net plus-minus, and team winning percentage.Is that what I said?
So apparently if Kobe had known it was important to score efficiently at high volume, rebound, and pass, he would have done so every year. I guess someone just needed to inform him.I am reminded of the line that is attributed to Mickey Mantle on Jose Canseco being the first 40/40 player: “Hell, if I’d known 40-40 was going to be a big deal, I’d have done it every year!”
Twice he’s said gallinari was shooting a three when he was at least 5 feet inside the lineMarv thinks everything is a three
Veteran-like sell job from Trae.That's a tough call on a 2x MVP.
I mean, he high-fived his face. Whether or not it impacted the shot, that's always called.That's a tough call on a 2x MVP.
Yes, but I didn’t say I wouldn’t listen.You said “any numbers that suggest that [Kobe’s] all-around game was less than Steph Curry and James Harden would make me question the usefulness of those metrics for comparing players across eras.” So you’re now apparently questioning the usefulness of scoring volume, scoring efficiency, rebound rate, assist rate, steal rate, raw plus-minus, net plus-minus, and team winning percentage.
Yes. Has anyone informed Steph that defense is half of the game?So apparently if Kobe had known it was important to score efficiently at high volume, rebound, and pass, he would have done so every year. I guess someone just needed to inform him.
Those jerks got me too...Should have realized this was a trap once DraftKings put up a +100 Bucks Odds Boost.
oh well...
This needs a Mutumbo finger wag meme.Warm take: I think the Bucks might sweep