Ripper 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Get the fuck outta here with the "Lebron has to win this many titles" crap. Robert Horry has five and he isn't going to have a better career than Kobe or Lebron. Will Purdue has rings and Karl Malone doesn't. Who had the better career. Robert Horry was instrumental in most of the championships he won but he wasn't the MAIN reason they won. Same for Kobe like it or not. Take Allen Iverson on those laker teams, and you got just as many rings. Take Vince Carter...you have just as many rings. Tracy McGrady...just as many rings. SHAQ was what made those Laker teams impossible to beat. Kobe makes them tough to beat. Not taking everything away from kobe because if you take Kobe off those teams and don't replace him with a great player they don't win either, but take Shaq off those teams and they have nothing. Take Kobe off and you STILL might see a championship. Right now, Lebron is the more talented player right now, mostly because Kobe has been taking the defensive end off this year so he can score more points, while Lebron is better at every faucet of the game. Not to trivialize Kobe putting up the greatest scoring performance in NBA history, but if McGrady, or James shoot the ball 50 times and go to the free throw line another 20, they would probably have a game like that. Lebron is in year 3. THREE. And I honestly don't know how anyone can say the guy lacks a killer instinct. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brett Favre 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Exactly what I was about to say. The way you guys are making it sound, Derek Fisher is having a better career than John Stockton. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 that's your counter in the arguement? comparing lower tier/support type guys when people are comparing top level stars? okay, if you want to talk numbers, which ringless guys like Malone and Iverson have, let's talk numbers...Kobe has titles AND numbers. Kobe doesn't just have titles...he has the numbers too...I don't think I can make that any clearer. So, you're telling me, two guys who are in the upper echalon of the NBA and say they both play the exact same number of years when it's all said and done, yet LeBron comes up with no titles, he's still going to have the better career...ooooookay...you honestly think Iverson will have the better career overall than Kobe? Vince Carter is the king of overrated, Rip, I can't believe you went there with that shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brett Favre 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 LeBron is putting up these numbers at the age of 21. End of story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UZI Suicide 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Definitely Kobe. The only thing I give LeBron over Kobe is rebounds. Yes, he averages more assists, but passing the ball to Larry Hughes, Illgauskas and Damon Jones is a little bit different then passing it to Smush Parker, Chris Mihm and Sasha Vujacic. And don't even get me started on Lamar Odom, who is one of the biggest wastes of talent in the NBA. Lebron isn't "making his teammates better", they were all great players without him. Kobe is a better scorer and MUCH better defender. LeBron will never play the defense Kobe does because he just doesn't have enough lateral quickness to defend the quicker guards in the NBA. Kobe was just as important to the Lakers championship teams as Shaq was, as someone has already pointed out, what has Shaq won without Kobe?. The old, "you could insert any elite guard and the Lakers would have won" argument is a joke because Shaq has Wade right now, along with a better supporting cast then they had with the Lakers, and they are only 2 games better then Kobe's current Lakers squad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brett Favre 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 LeBron is a better passer than Kobe. It's probably LeBron's best attribute other than scoring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Another thing. LeBron has to make 4 NBA finals, 5 conference finals, and win 3 championships to have a career near to Kobe's. We aren't talking about the better player, that's a totally different topic. That shit will never happen. 909 hit it on the head, I can't say it any better...when LeBron gets all those accolades, regardless or whether Kobe had Shaq or not, then we can talk. We're talking career, not better player, and I still think even that is highly highly debatable. The problem is that this isn't an argument over who had the better career. It's speculation on who will be the greatest when their respective careers are over. It'd be like comparing Julius Erving to Michael Jordan in 1984. One player accomplished more at that point, but the other player was ultimately better in his time. It's almost a toss-up. James was better at 20, but Bryant was arguably a better player at the age of 19. Ultimately, I think James will be a better player in the long run as long as he maintains a work ethic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 that's your counter in the arguement? comparing lower tier/support type guys when people are comparing top level stars? okay, if you want to talk numbers, which ringless guys like Malone and Iverson have, let's talk numbers...Kobe has titles AND numbers. Kobe doesn't just have titles...he has the numbers too...I don't think I can make that any clearer. So, you're telling me, two guys who are in the upper echalon of the NBA and say they both play the exact same number of years when it's all said and done, yet LeBron comes up with no titles, he's still going to have the better career...ooooookay...you honestly think Iverson will have the better career overall than Kobe? Vince Carter is the king of overrated, Rip, I can't believe you went there with that shit. 1st, Vince Carter is a better shooter than Kobe, and I honestly believe that he would have thrived with the Lakers than Kobe. Vince also did a better job carrying a group of bench players than Kobe has. He couldn't do it anymore but as a team player, his willingness to defer and actually put up big numbers in assist, I actually think that Vince Carter would have help bring rings to LA. With Shaq there of course. Yes Kobe has Numbers but when you compare them wouldn't it be a fairer assesment to look at every team that Lebron had around him and that Top 50 greatest, one of the most dominant big men ever, Hall of Fame guy that Kobe had with him. Seriously. If Larry fucking Hughes ends up being the 2nd best player that Lebron hooks up with, I think we MIGHT see a reason for them rings. If we want to go by the numbers lets look at it like this. IF they play the exact same number of years, Lebron will have more points, assist, rebounds, steals, and blocks than Kobe, better field goal percentage from the looks of it (although Kobe could become a great shooter and Lebron go to the shits). Think about that. Lebron is on pace to be better in EVERY SINGLE STATISTICAL CATAGORY than Kobe. THE ONLY thing that Kobe will have to add to the argument will be the he won rings when he played with the single most unstoppable player in the league at the time. AND I think when we look at the sucess of Kobe led teams and Lebron led teams, Lebron will probably get the edge there. AND honestly, if Iverson wins ONE title with any of the philly teams that he has been on then he has a better career. At this point, Kobe does edge him SOME, but Iverson is on pace to outscore, out assist, and out steal Kobe. He would be up there but Kobe will out career him. Although, Iverson will go down as the best little man to ever play the game, while Kobe will be that guy that was really good...but he was never a Lebron. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 It's almost a toss-up. James was better at 20, but Bryant was arguably a better player at the age of 19. What argument is there for Bryant being better at 19? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naiwf 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Another thing. LeBron has to make 4 NBA finals, 5 conference finals, and win 3 championships to have a career near to Kobe's. We aren't talking about the better player, that's a totally different topic. That shit will never happen. 909 hit it on the head, I can't say it any better...when LeBron gets all those accolades, regardless or whether Kobe had Shaq or not, then we can talk. We're talking career, not better player, and I still think even that is highly highly debatable. The problem is that this isn't an argument over who had the better career. It's speculation on who will be the greatest when their respective careers are over. It'd be like comparing Julius Erving to Michael Jordan in 1984. One player accomplished more at that point, but the other player was ultimately better in his time. It's almost a toss-up. James was better at 20, but Bryant was arguably a better player at the age of 19. Ultimately, I think James will be a better player in the long run as long as he maintains a work ethic. But it's fair to say that both guys will likely end up in the all-time top 5 or 10 in scoring. At that point the only difference between them will be hardware and Kobe's already got 3 rings. LeBron won't be winning his first until Duncan retires or Detroit rips their team apart. If he doesn't win multiple titles what makes him any greater than say 'Nique? or Malone? If Kobe scores 30,000+ and has at least 3 titles how is he not better than everyone else who had 20,000+ but never won any titles? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 It's almost a toss-up. James was better at 20, but Bryant was arguably a better player at the age of 19. What argument is there for Bryant being better at 19? Kobe scored more points per game and per 40 minutes than James, and edges him in a healthy number of advanced statistical metrics. The one edge Lebron had at that edge is playing time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UZI Suicide 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 1st, Vince Carter is a better shooter than Kobe, and I honestly believe that he would have thrived with the Lakers than Kobe. Vince also did a better job carrying a group of bench players than Kobe has. He couldn't do it anymore but as a team player, his willingness to defer and actually put up big numbers in assist, I actually think that Vince Carter would have help bring rings to LA. With Shaq there of course. Are you high? The only thing Carter can do better then Kobe is dunk. I'll give it to Carter that when he gets hot he can be an excellent shooter, but his jumper is not near as good as Kobe's. Not to mention Carter admitted to not playing hard at times with the Toronto Raptors, basically he's a guy with a lot of talent (not as much as Kobe), who doesn't have the desire to fulfill that talent all the time. Yes Kobe has Numbers but when you compare them wouldn't it be a fairer assesment to look at every team that Lebron had around him and that Top 50 greatest, one of the most dominant big men ever, Hall of Fame guy that Kobe had with him. Seriously. If Larry fucking Hughes ends up being the 2nd best player that Lebron hooks up with, I think we MIGHT see a reason for them rings. If we want to go by the numbers lets look at it like this. IF they play the exact same number of years, Lebron will have more points, assist, rebounds, steals, and blocks than Kobe, better field goal percentage from the looks of it (although Kobe could become a great shooter and Lebron go to the shits). Think about that. Lebron is on pace to be better in EVERY SINGLE STATISTICAL CATAGORY than Kobe. THE ONLY thing that Kobe will have to add to the argument will be the he won rings when he played with the single most unstoppable player in the league at the time. AND I think when we look at the sucess of Kobe led teams and Lebron led teams, Lebron will probably get the edge there. Kobe is going to likely surpass Jordan in all of those, so does that mean Kobe will be better than Jordan? Does that mean LeBron will be better than Jordan? Does that mean LeBron will be the best player ever? LeBron is an amazing talent and he's going to rack up stats, and one of the main reasons is because High School players are much more NBA ready now then they were 10 years ago. Hell, Carmelo Anthony is further along right now then Kobe was, does that mean he's better? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Are you high? The only thing Carter can do better then Kobe is dunk. I'll give it to Carter that when he gets hot he can be an excellent shooter, but his jumper is not near as good as Kobe's. Not to mention Carter admitted to not playing hard at times with the Toronto Raptors, basically he's a guy with a lot of talent (not as much as Kobe), who doesn't have the desire to fulfill that talent all the time. Um, no I am not high. I can see. Lets toss out three point shooting because Vince is unarguably a better three point shooter. Then we have two point shooting. For career, Kobe is shooting about 1 percent better than Vince from the field. Thing is Vince had two HORRID years when he was playing on a gimpy knee and ankle when he shot 41 and 42 percent repectively which pulled his average down. PLUS you have to factor in my WOS factor (WITH OUT SHAQ). You know, when teams didn't have to worry about doubling a 7'3" center and can double Kobe. His percentages have been pretty low the last few years. Vince never had a WOS factor. He never had a with any goddamnbody factor because he has always been the guy to get doubled. Unless you think people were staying at home on Jerome Williams or something. Statistically, almost all of the guards that Shaq has played with has had a major jump in field goal percentage and a drop off when he left (thus the WOS factor). Kobe is a better player because he has better ball handling, a better defender, rebounder and when he wants too is a better passer(he just doesn't do it). But Vince is a better shooter. ANd would have been putting up even better shooting numbers had he been playing with Shaq. As for the doesn't fulfill that talent stuff. I am sorry but thats just bullshit. Vince is a fucking idiot that admitted what anyone in their right mind knows. When you are on a god awful team and one of the worst teams in the league, you don't play as hard as when you are on a better team. For a while there, Vince was still putting up those Vinsanity numbers and the Raptors were still losing. Alot. A WHOLE LOT. He didn't play as hard when that happend. He is not the first and won't be the last to do so. Kobe is going to likely surpass Jordan in all of those, so does that mean Kobe will be better than Jordan? Does that mean LeBron will be better than Jordan? Does that mean LeBron will be the best player ever? LeBron is an amazing talent and he's going to rack up stats, and one of the main reasons is because High School players are much more NBA ready now then they were 10 years ago. Hell, Carmelo Anthony is further along right now then Kobe was, does that mean he's better? 1: Lebrons career average is going to better than Kobes in all those. I am not talking pure numbers here. Lebron dominated from the second he stepped into the league. Kobe didn't Even after he got the PT. 2: What the fucking hell. Okay, so I can't argue the fact that Lebron has better numbers (except scoreing). Then I can't even argue Kobe MIGHT have had TREMEDOUS HELP in getting 3 Rings from the best player in the league at the time. Okay. What the hell then. Honestly, I don't care who averages more anything, I was just refuting Lushus's "Kobe got the numbers" thing. Lebrons got the numbers. The ring thing is skewed because Kobe Played with HOF Centers. Lebron played with Eric Snow. BOTTOMLINE: Lebron James is NOW a better player than Kobe Bryant and barring injury or a change of heart from Kobe, he always will. If basketball player was defined as guy who scores, the Kobe would be tops. But Lebron not only scores, he is better at EVERYTHING ELSE that goes into being a basketball player. EVERYTHING. Better passer, rebounder, defender. THAT is what makes him a better PLAYER and will make him have the better career. Jordon, Shaq, Magic, Chamberlin, Bird, LEBRON - what all these guys had in common is that they not only were great at what they did, they made teammates better. Jordan made so many guys millionares when they became free agents because he made them look like a million bucks. Who on the Lakers is being made to look like a million bucks. THIS is why I will never call Kobe a better player than any of these guys because there is more to the game than putting the ball in the basket on the offensive end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 LOL Rip, my "Kobe has the numbers line" was refutting YOU mentioning freaking Robert Horry and Will Perdue! We're talking about Kobe and LeBron, not muthafuckin Will Per fuckin due! I've said from jump, when LeBron wins a couple titles, we'll talk. THE END. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hawk 34 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Why is this even being compared? One guy has 9 years in the game while the other is still a young kid with only a couple seasons under his belt. A better comparison/debate would be... Duncan Vs Kobe LeBron Vs Wade Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UZI Suicide 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Um, no I am not high. I can see. Lets toss out three point shooting because Vince is unarguably a better three point shooter. Then we have two point shooting. For career, Kobe is shooting about 1 percent better than Vince from the field. Thing is Vince had two HORRID years when he was playing on a gimpy knee and ankle when he shot 41 and 42 percent repectively which pulled his average down. PLUS you have to factor in my WOS factor (WITH OUT SHAQ). You know, when teams didn't have to worry about doubling a 7'3" center and can double Kobe. His percentages have been pretty low the last few years. Vince never had a WOS factor. He never had a with any goddamnbody factor because he has always been the guy to get doubled. Unless you think people were staying at home on Jerome Williams or something. Statistically, almost all of the guards that Shaq has played with has had a major jump in field goal percentage and a drop off when he left (thus the WOS factor). Kobe is a better player because he has better ball handling, a better defender, rebounder and when he wants too is a better passer(he just doesn't do it). But Vince is a better shooter. ANd would have been putting up even better shooting numbers had he been playing with Shaq. As for the doesn't fulfill that talent stuff. I am sorry but thats just bullshit. Vince is a fucking idiot that admitted what anyone in their right mind knows. When you are on a god awful team and one of the worst teams in the league, you don't play as hard as when you are on a better team. For a while there, Vince was still putting up those Vinsanity numbers and the Raptors were still losing. Alot. A WHOLE LOT. He didn't play as hard when that happend. He is not the first and won't be the last to do so. The only two really bad seasons Kobe has had shooting were his rookie year, and the last 2 years. Last year he played the entire season with planter fasciitis in his foot, and the year before he was back and forth with the rape trial, so arguably his head wasn't all in the game. Your "Without Shaq" factor is bullshit because Carter is on a more talented team than Kobe is right now, with one of the premier passing PG's in the NBA, and is still shooting a lower percentage, despite having 8 less attempts per game. Lebron James is NOW a better player than Kobe Bryant and barring injury or a change of heart from Kobe, he always will. If basketball player was defined as guy who scores, the Kobe would be tops. But Lebron not only scores, he is better at EVERYTHING ELSE that goes into being a basketball player. EVERYTHING. Better passer, rebounder, defender. THAT is what makes him a better PLAYER and will make him have the better career. Jordon, Shaq, Magic, Chamberlin, Bird, LEBRON - what all these guys had in common is that they not only were great at what they did, they made teammates better. Jordan made so many guys millionares when they became free agents because he made them look like a million bucks. Who on the Lakers is being made to look like a million bucks. THIS is why I will never call Kobe a better player than any of these guys because there is more to the game than putting the ball in the basket on the offensive end. No, he's not. Earlier I said the only thing LeBron does better than Kobe is rebound, and I'll concede passing too (although he has much better options to pass to that boast his assist total). But he's definitely not a better scorer or defender. Nevertheless, he's not "making his teammates better". That is one of the most bullshit blanket statements someone can make and I can't stand that everyone throws it around. WHO is he making better? Was Larry Hughes not a great player before playing in Cleveland? Illgauskas was always regarded as one of the most talented Centers in the league who could never stay healthy, he was great before LeBron. For the talent Cleveland has aside from LeBron, they are still only 2 games better than LA, and in a weaker conference. Chris Mihm, Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins all had career highs in PPG last year in their first seasons with Kobe. Caron Butler said after getting traded Kobe taught him more about basketball than anyone else has in his life. I'd say Kobe made them better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpikeFayeJettEdBebop 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 I'd agree, I wouldn't say LeBron has necessarily made any of his teammates better. And in my oppinion, when you say "Who will have the better career?" it's mostly all about the numbers and titles won. Jordan is one of the best players to ever play basketball, but will his 'career' ever be better than Kobe's(When Kobe is done) ??? Not necessarily. LeBron has a lot of time left, so we'll all have to wait and see. I agree LeBron vs. Wade would be a better arguement, that could go for days as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iggymcfly 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 I like the LeBron vs. Kobe argument because when LeBron came into the league, it appeared that he was starting his career out at a rate that no one ever had before, and people thought he could be the best of all-time. Then, all of a sudden, Kobe (who had been hyped as the next MJ and then forgotten) starts putting up record-setting numbers himself. Basically, it seems to me like either Kobe or LeBron is likely to be remembered as the dominant player of this generation and I was just wondering who everyone thinks it will be. Personally, I still have to go with LeBron. People talk about Kobe's rings like there's any reason to think that LeBron won't win several throughout his career. He's 21. Michael Jordan was 29 when he won his first ring. I think LeBron has better potential as an all-around player and will probably end up with something like 4 or 5 rings as the #1 player on his team as well as the career scoring record. Unless Kobe goes absolutely nuts with his scoring or actually wins some more titles later in his career, I think LeBron will be remembered as the dominant player of this era. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naiwf 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 I like the LeBron vs. Kobe argument because when LeBron came into the league, it appeared that he was starting his career out at a rate that no one ever had before, and people thought he could be the best of all-time. Then, all of a sudden, Kobe (who had been hyped as the next MJ and then forgotten) starts putting up record-setting numbers himself. Basically, it seems to me like either Kobe or LeBron is likely to be remembered as the dominant player of this generation and I was just wondering who everyone thinks it will be. Personally, I still have to go with LeBron. People talk about Kobe's rings like there's any reason to think that LeBron won't win several throughout his career. He's 21. Michael Jordan was 29 when he won his first ring. I think LeBron has better potential as an all-around player and will probably end up with something like 4 or 5 rings as the #1 player on his team as well as the career scoring record. Unless Kobe goes absolutely nuts with his scoring or actually wins some more titles later in his career, I think LeBron will be remembered as the dominant player of this era. Other than Russell & Jordan what player has "4 or 5 rings" as the undisputed star on his team? That's reason enough not to think it'll happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Loaded Glove is making my argument for me, and there's no way in fucking hell that you can tell me Vince Carter's a better shooter than Kobe. None. LeBron's a better passer and better rebounder, not a better defender. I like Vince Carter a lot, but there's just no way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iggymcfly 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Russell had 10. Jordan had 6. Duncan has 3 and counting. Shaq has 3. Magic and Bird both had 3 as the star of their respective teams. Kareem had 2. I figure that averages out to about 4 or 5. I just can't see LeBron being happy to just linger in Cleveland his whole career like KG or somebody if they don't get him some help; he's going to do whatever it takes to win some titles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naiwf 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Well Patrick Ewing and Bill Russell average out to 5 rings each, but that doesn't mean anything. So far in the history of the game only 2 guys have led their teams to more than 3 championships. Duncan might be the next and last guy to ever lead his team to 4+. The problem with LeBron is that unless he ends up hooking up with a KG or someone of that ilk he's not going to win a championship anytime in the next 4 or 5 seasons because even when Shaq calls it quits, Duncan will still be there and his game is suited to last longer than a guy like Shaq's in the first place. Honestly, what team could LeBron play for right now that would be a title contender just because of his addition? Without Shaq, or Duncan there's no team outside of Detroit that people are even thinking have a shot at winning the championship. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iggymcfly 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 LeBron's not ready to win a title now. He's 21. As in his third year in the league. As in he could easily be in college right now. Like I said, MJ never won until he was 29. I just thinking it's likely that when LeBron enters his prime we're likely to say a stretch of rings somewhere between 2010 and 2020. Honestly, if Cleveland takes Redick next year and a young center the year after, I could see them becoming a dynasty about four or five years out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naiwf 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Please tell me why LeBron gets the "he's only 21" argument used both ways here? Either he's the greatest player at his age in the history of basketball and should have to deal with the negative associated with that praise, or he's still years away from developing into becoming a champion and shouldn't be talked up like he's one of the best players to ever suit up in the NBA when he hasn't played even one postseason game yet. It's not fair to use it both ways, and that's the main reason I can't stand the way the media presents him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Coffey Report post Posted January 25, 2006 I'd take Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett over both, however that's not the argument. Between James and Bryant, I'd say it's a push right now with me leaning more towards James because he appears to be less of a problem off-court. He's also younger which I think does play a large role. It's tough to compare numbers and titles when Kobe has been in the league for so much longer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted January 25, 2006 Loaded Glove is making my argument for me, and there's no way in fucking hell that you can tell me Vince Carter's a better shooter than Kobe. None. LeBron's a better passer and better rebounder, not a better defender. I like Vince Carter a lot, but there's just no way. ^^^ What he said. They've got a different game because Lebron's a bigger guy and Kobe's quicker. When it comes to defense, you rarely see a player that gets all over the guy with the ball like Kobe does. I swear it's awesome to watch Kobe play the point, which is usually in the All-Star game. He's a hell of a defender. Lebron has NOTHING on him in that category whatsoever, I don't see how anyone could say otherwise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted January 25, 2006 I'd take Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett over both, however that's not the argument. Between James and Bryant, I'd say it's a push right now with me leaning more towards James because he appears to be less of a problem off-court. He's also younger which I think does play a large role. It's tough to compare numbers and titles when Kobe has been in the league for so much longer. I don't know why you'd take Garnett unless it's for fantasy basketball purposes, but I can understand why you'd take the other two. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted January 26, 2006 Loaded Glove is making my argument for me, and there's no way in fucking hell that you can tell me Vince Carter's a better shooter than Kobe. I know Kobe is more called the man and Vince is hated on over his Toronto situation, but actually....really. Vince Carter is the better shooter. Lets just look at the past 5 years of their career. Kobe is less than 1 percentage point better shooter than Vince (Vince is at 43.92 and Kobe is at 44.86) Vince is shooting 3's at almost 39 percent for his CAREER and that is factoring in his 28 percent shooting his rookie year. Kobe is a career 33 percent 3 point shooter. And can anyone seriously refute the fact that Vince was always the guy double teamed in Toronto and now in New Jersey. No one is doubling Kristc. No one is double teaming Jason Kidd, or Richard Jefferson for that matter. Carter still is the focus of the opposing teams defense. Kobe for the most part of his career was NOT. He benefited from having a dominant player that demanded a double on the court. Just like Penny, Dennis Scott and Nick Anderson did (all of whom had major drops in shooting percentage when Shaq left). So did Kobe and so did Damon Jones. The ONLY way you could argue Kobe is a better shooter is to deny that playing with a dominant big helps your shooting percentage. ANd I hope you guys aren't going there. I will say that Kobe is outshooting Vince this year....by less than one percent. Kobe is on a record setting pace and has had games were he couldn't miss and was shooting over 60 percent....and he is less than a percentage point ahead of Carter in shooting percentage. Hell Kobe is the better scorer, and everything else, but he is not a better shooter than Vince Carter. Argue if you want about Kobe being a better shooter, but calling me high and saying it is no way when they are less than a percentage point away in shooting percentage is pushing it. If ANYTHING you have to say that it is very arguable. I do want to take back something I said earlier though. Lebron is actually a much better shooter than Kobe also. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naiwf 0 Report post Posted January 26, 2006 I hate to belabor the obvious, but if Vince shoots threes at a higher clip than Kobe by 6 points, but Bryant STILL has the better overall percentage all that means is VC is even WORSE at shooting the 2 relatively speaking. I don't really see how you can say Carter is a better shooter with a lower percentage of shots made and Kobe's penchant for taken God awful shots at least 5-10 times per night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 26, 2006 LeBron has to get out of Cleveland. I have this feeling that somehow down the stretch the Cavs fall apart AGAIN and just miss out for a third straight year. Is he a free agent after this year? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites