Take a step back from the situation, and it's probably more Kobe trying to get acclimated to playing in a system in which he has never played in his whole career. Like it or not, he had to showcase a more restrained and efficient type of offensive game with Shaq on his team because there was another player on the floor at most times who warranted as many (if not more) touches than Kobe, and Kobe was more able to pick and choose his spots to exert his influence on the game offensively. Now he is forced to do so each and every minute he is out on the floor, and it's going to take him more than 20 games to figure out how to do that and to get into a rhythm with his new teammates. I'm sure he'll round into form by the end of the season. Wouldn't hurt the Lakers in the least to pick up some decent three point shooting by the trade deadline or in the offseason, either.
Kobe has never won an MVP and I know he's not getting one this year unless the Lakers win 55 games. AI has won one and it was the most bogus vote in recent history. He could only have dreamed of putting up the numbers that Kobe is right now. Not saying he's a bad player, but that year's award belonged to either Shaq or Duncan, just like 2003's MVP award belonged to KG. Sometimes they get it wrong...
Er, you are aware that Iverson's team that year DID win 55 games right? And probably with less talent than this Lakers squad.
Would also note that, with the exception or rebounding, Iverson is this year putting up numbers very similar to Kobe's -- not sure how proud he should be of that, but it is what it is. Twice the steals, none of the blocks.
Iverson:
25.7pts (.386 FG%, .242 3pt%, .827 FT%) 3.4rebs 7.4ast 2.2stl 0.0blk 4.1TO
Kobe
26.8pts (.390 FG%, .314 3pt%, .812 FT%) 7.5rebs 6.9ast 1.2stl 1.3blk 4.6TO
I'd probably take Kobe's overall line because he's bigger and gets more rebounds, but other than that similar positives, similar ickiness.
Would also note that, with the exception or rebounding, Iverson is this year putting up numbers very similar to Kobe's -- not sure how proud he should be of that, but it is what it is. Twice the steals, none of the blocks.
Iverson:
25.7pts (.386 FG%, .242 3pt%, .827 FT%) 3.4rebs 7.4ast 2.2stl 0.0blk 4.1TO
Kobe
26.8pts (.390 FG%, .314 3pt%, .812 FT%) 7.5rebs 6.9ast 1.2stl 1.3blk 4.6TO
I'd probably take Kobe's overall line because he's bigger and gets more rebounds, but other than that similar positives, similar ickiness.
True, but he didn't have quite the statistical output to match his team's success that an MVP should have. Duncan and Shaq had both stats and success going for them. There should be a balance between the two, otherwise, Kidd should've received the MVP in 2002 for basically doing the same thing that Iverson did in 2001.
I think Iverson is playing well this year now that he's back in a more traditional initiator role. Larry Brown never should have let him switch to 2.
I think Iverson is playing well this year now that he's back in a more traditional initiator role. Larry Brown never should have let him switch to 2.
AI's having a very good season, so the comparison to Kobe is hardly an insult. Still, Kobe is the more efficient scorer (AI averages 9.42 FTAPG, Kobe averages 11.15), a much better rebounder, and clearly the superior defender. The fact that he's playing with brand new teammates, playing through plantar fasciitis, and historically speaking doesn't play his best ball until after the All Star Break, should lead you to believe that he'll eventually bring his FG% back up to 45%.
This happened in 2003 as well; he shot 41% through 20 games but ended up finishing the year at 45.1%. In 2004, he shot 50%+ for three weeks following the All Star Break, and had similar stretches post-ASB in 2002 and 2003 (40 point February in 03).
This happened in 2003 as well; he shot 41% through 20 games but ended up finishing the year at 45.1%. In 2004, he shot 50%+ for three weeks following the All Star Break, and had similar stretches post-ASB in 2002 and 2003 (40 point February in 03).