What is the differences between Manu Ginobli and Kobe Bryant?

**Godfather** · 10-17-2008, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by 1000yearsofPAIN

In my opinion these have been the top 2 shooting guards in the league for the past 5 years.

Most people say Kobe is the better player, and well, stats would say that is true.

However I feel that Ginobli is the better basketball player than Kobe. The only thing that seperates the two is Ginobli is way less selfish than Kobe, and Kobe shoots alot more, and gets better treatment from the refs. Though Kobe has a big reputation for being the best closer in the game, I'd rather have Ginobli in those situations, his playoff stats are amazing, and Kobe has proven to be garbage in the finals. Also Kobe can't deal with guys like James Posey or Bruce Bowen, while I can't say that I've ever really seen a guy shut down Ginobli.

In my opinion Kobe puts up better stats, but Ginobli is the better winner.

So what exactly is it that makes everyone think that Kobe Bryant is so much better than Manu Ginobli?

Way to not factor defense into the equation. With the new flopping rule in place everyone will understand how poor of a defender Manu is. Put Kobe Bryant on the Spurs the last year they would have destroyed everyone in the path to the NBA Championship, including the Celtics.

**1000yearsofPAIN** · 10-17-2008, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by starface

THis is the thing:

Kobe CAN be a better player than Manu in pretty much every aspect. When he wants to be, he can be a better shooter, better passer, more dangerous with the ball, etc. than Manu. THe problem is, sometimes he doesnt take good shots. Sometimes he doesnt make the right pass. Sometimes he gets too carried away trying to go to the rim.

Kobe doesnt always choose to play the right way, while Manu generally does. This is what closes the gap as the OP is getting at. Kobe tries too hard to live up to being a superstar on the court rather than just winning. Not to mention that putting aside the "team player vs. talent" argument, Manu is a damn good individual talent. The dude has real game. ANd let's acknowledge the elephant in the room here, a lot of people hesitate to put him up there with Kobe, Wade, and McGrady because they inherently doubt that he can be as good as them at their best because he is white.

I agree that Kobe has the ability to be the best swingman in the game, easily. Altho I don't see how people can honestly put Manu below Wade or She-Mac. Wade has no range and She-Mac is a gutless slouch. Manu is at LEAST effective as either of them, and often times is much more effective.

As far as Kobe and Manu, it really comes down to consistency. Kobe isnt consistent, Manu is. By consistent I mean Kobe could easily shut down all competition for "best player" if he only wanted to make a little bit of sacrifice from the high-light reel and just do whats best for the team. He doesnt always do that, so it lessens his team value, IMO. That's just how I see it.

I agree, that Kobe has better skills, and more talent than Ginobli, but it is his stupid decision making, and lack of calmness in clutch situations, and I'm not talking regular season I'm talking playoffs and finals, that are the reasons why I'd take Manu over Kobe. Also Manu's skills and clutchness are being underrated by you guys, how many times have you seen him making crazy 4 point plays and can you believe it drives and shots in the 4th quarter of a close playoff game. Manu, like the rest of his Spurs brethren, coasts during the regular season, and that's why his numbers don't compare to the likes of the Second Round Virgin and Dwayne Wade.