34 replies to this topic

[L.A.K.E.R]

He'd be following Kobe there so neither would get it

Let's hope Kobe doesn't go to Europe...

[Imadogg]

Let's hope Kobe doesn't go to Europe...

No one's going anywhere while I'm in charge

[Maddocks]

we are experiencing his prime, last couple of years and the future years to come. he wont leave, but he will take a pay cut to keep players around and bring players in.

[SaintNicholasVanExel]

Anyone foresee a Favre-like saga for Kobe when it comes time for him to retire?

[Jonny]

Anyone foresee a Favre-like saga for Kobe when it comes time for him to retire?

no. . because we're going to win the championship every year from here on out

[Jonny]

and as far as Kobe's prime, i think he entered his physical prime the year he became "the man" he just entered his playing prime last year, and i see him playing at least 3 more years at this level and another 5 at a very very good level.

the reason? the man is fundamentally sound. . . foot-work, shooting form, bball IQ. .hell, he'll probably outlast D-Wade in the League at least, and he might be last longer than lebron. . ok so maybe not lebron

[Rick]

Judging by his finals appearance and Olympics performances I think Kobe's in a slow decline right now. I can see him following this curve slowly for another 5 or so years before a significant drop comes.

Edited by Rick, August 17, 2008 - 06:47 AM.

[Jonny]

Judging by his finals appearance and Olympics performances I think Kobe's in a slow decline right now. I can see him following this curve slowly for another 5 or so years before a significant drop comes.

there's some merit to that line of thinking. of course, you have to take into account that he's playing with an injury right now, but there is definitely some truth to what you're saying.

Kobe has already reached the peak of his physical prime. . the only question is how long he can maintain it. i'm guessing a slow, almost unnoticeable physical decline over the next three years that are masked by a growing playing IQ. after that, he won't be able to play 38 minutes a game, but he'll be the best player when he's on the court for 3-4 years after that, so 6-7 years seems about right

[last stand 2.0]

Judging by his finals appearance and Olympics performances I think Kobe's in a slow decline right now. I can see him following this curve slowly for another 5 or so years before a significant drop comes.

wow must be a record the first ever 3 month decline

please

he dominated the best individual defender in basketball the series before the finals the celtics made a concerted effort to put 3 guys in front of kobe and make gasol and odom beat them which neither did

and in the olympics kobe has taken a step back and simply taken spot up jumpers and playing hard defense

also remember kobe is the only player on this team to play into mid june

[Rick]

I didn't think it was necessary to point out the obvious factor of his age. I stand by what I said.

[lyk13]

I didn't think it was necessary to point out the obvious factor of his age. I stand by what I said.

/point MJ's age and prowess when he won the last 3 championships

[Kobynum Gasodom]

Mj was still the best at 35 when he left and prolly would have been for a couple more years, MJ scored 40 at 40 yrs. so I dont know. Anyway Kobes work ethic should keep him yong. Shaq put up a double-double at 36 and 300+ lbs., so I think Kobe will be a very good player until he retires in 7 years.

[kingjeezy♕]

Kobe's prime started two years ago. Don't try to convince me otherwise.

[shoe]

kobes prime started in the 05-06 season....the year he scored 81

he'll keep tearing it up til around 2012, then start slowing down

[ReaListik]

I'm not all too concerned with prime years because even when Kobe wasn't in his prime he was doing some serious damage in the early part of this decade, and that helped lead to 3 titles. It's awesome to see him at such a high level, and I think that he'll be the best for a long time as long as he continues to train with the people he's working with and continues to have that work ethic.

MJ was the best in the league before retiring and was the best after coming back for 3 more titles in a row. I think even if at 40 years old, if MJ was on a championship caliber team that year like the Spurs or Pistons or some teams like that, he would have a 7th title and maybe even pushed for an 8th.

Kareem was a beast up into his late 30's, and so that leads me to believe that Shaq should be still dominating the paint if not for his blatant disregard for work ethic and consistent training. The only times I've seen Shaq really commit himself to being the best he could be was after he left Orlando and right after he left LA for Miami. Shaq's prime years were short and he really should have been a lot better than he was, which is crazy. Even now, Shaq said he guarantee's he'll make Popovich pay for the "Hack a Shaq" strategy by shooting 80% from the free throw line. It makes you ask, "Wtf couldn't you have made that guarantee and worked toward that all throughout your career?" The difference between Shaq and Kobe is the work ethic and the motives behind their actions. Shaq is fueled by adversity and needs controversy to motivate himself to be better, and Kobe just does it because he wants to.

As long as this team keeps on doing what they need to do to be in a spot to win I think Kobe's going to be fine regardless of his prime years.