The difference between kobe and other superstars

[Indian guy]

True. But most of those guys started playing at 21-22 years old and were done for various reasons around their 13-14th season.

It's a mileage vs age arguement.

The whole mileage argument is bogus. Unless Kobe actually starts moving like someone much OLDER than his age, it's irrelevant. Kobe doesn't look anything like an old player on the court. He still possesses a great first step, good quickness, terrific lift on his jumpers, good stamina. . .it's all still there. He still looks every bit the early 30's guy that he is. Not young, but hardly old either. There's nothing out of the ordinary about what he's doing when compared to other superstars.

There's no proof of excessive mileage limiting a star's level of play earlier than it should have. Not unless that star had a major injury.

[KenneBell]

The whole mileage argument is bogus. Unless Kobe actually starts moving like someone much OLDER than his age, it's irrelevant. Kobe doesn't look anything like an old player on the court. He still possesses a great first step, good quickness, terrific lift on his jumpers, good stamina. . .it's all still there. He still looks every bit the early 30's guy that he is. Not young, but hardly old either. There's nothing out of the ordinary about what he's doing when compared to other superstars.

I don't think it's bogus but it does tell part of the story.

Mileage is always going to be a factor IMO. I don't think Wade has experienced the athletic dropoff Kobe did from say, 24 to 29 for that reason.

[Indian guy]

I don't think it's bogus but it does tell part of the story.

Can you name a single star player with a lot of miles on his legs whose play fell significantly in his early 30's w/o injury playing a role?

Mileage is always going to be a factor IMO. I don't think Wade has experienced the athletic dropoff Kobe did from say, 24 to 29 for that reason.

Wade's always been a more freakish athlete than Kobe though. Kobe never excelled at one singular aspect of athleticism as much as Wade does with his speed. He was always going to maintain that for a long time.

[laronprofit9]

Can you name a single star player with a lot of miles on his legs whose play fell significantly in his early 30's w/o injury playing a role?



Wade's always been a more freakish athlete than Kobe though. Kobe never excelled at one singular aspect of athleticism as much as Wade does with his speed. He was always going to maintain that for a long time.

Kobe excelled at body control imo. He's been among the best ever in that aspect of athleticism.

[Mor'Fiyah]

The whole mileage argument is bogus. Unless Kobe actually starts moving like someone much OLDER than his age, it's irrelevant. Kobe doesn't look anything like an old player on the court. He still possesses a great first step, good quickness, terrific lift on his jumpers, good stamina. . .it's all still there. He still looks every bit the early 30's guy that he is. Not young, but hardly old either. There's nothing out of the ordinary about what he's doing when compared to other superstars.

There's no proof of excessive mileage limiting a star's level of play earlier than it should have. Not unless that star had a major injury.

And yet every player analyst in the world comments about Kobe being an old 32 because of the amount of years in the league and minutes played. As for evidence do you really want me to go find the evidence that the more you physically push your body the more things like cartilage wear down, and arthritis sets in, and scar tissue begins to slow the body down?! Or maybe you are not an athlete and have no frame of reference for this... but its fairly simple: The more you play the more bumps, bruises, sprains, breaks, pulls, etc you accumulate on joints that weren't made to sustain that kind of pace year in year out.

Do you honestly believe that, all else equal, a 30 year old player with 12 years in the league will have the same body as the same 30 year old player with 8 years? Seriously?

[Mor'Fiyah]

Can you name a single star player with a lot of miles on his legs whose play fell significantly in his early 30's w/o injury playing a role?



Wade's always been a more freakish athlete than Kobe though. Kobe never excelled at one singular aspect of athleticism as much as Wade does with his speed. He was always going to maintain that for a long time.

Allen Iverson? Jerry Stackhouse? Rip Hamilton?

Its also not the most obvious drop off. Players often hide it by playing more controlled. Suddenly they lay the ball up a lot more... get blocked more... they can't change direction as quickly as they used to (attributable to joint wear and tear).

[Harion]

I was GONNA come into this thread and say "approximately one rape allegation"...but I decided to take the high road and not say it. Nope won't say it.

i see what you did there

[Indian guy]

And yet every player analyst in the world comments about Kobe being an old 32 because of the amount of years in the league and minutes played.

Analysts say this? When? And why does it even matter? Nothing on the court indicates that Kobe is somehow older than he is. If his total minutes point towards the mileage of a 35+ year old has, then I'd like to know why Kobe doesn't move like one. His current feats would've been extraordinary if he was actually slow and couldn't jump. Yet that isn't the case at all.

[KenneBell]

Analysts say this? When?

Come on. Basketball guys have been saying this for the past 2 years now. Even the Lakers announcers call him old man when he goes up for a dunk.

[amfirst]

The difference is clearly the talent he has been able to play with..What other superstar guard got to play with two bigs that could avg 20 and 10 plus have Odom and artest being the fourth and fifth best players on the team.. I guess you could say the only other player that may have played with that much talent is the other great from LA... Magic...

Pierce and LeBron plays with far better talent. Doesn't make a difference, except Kobe knows how to maximize his teammates talents.

[ihatetimthomas]

Can you name a single star player with a lot of miles on his legs whose play fell significantly in his early 30's w/o injury playing a role?



Wade's always been a more freakish athlete than Kobe though. Kobe never excelled at one singular aspect of athleticism as much as Wade does with his speed. He was always going to maintain that for a long time.

There are not many super star players who came in the league at his young age. Most came in in their early 20's.

Wear and tear exists, regardless of what you would like to believe. I do not think it is as big of a factor as some, but it is still a factor. The more you play, the harder it is on your body. And this guy has been playing deep into the playoffs at an early age.

[laronprofit9]

Superstars with a good work ethic keep it for a long time.

Kobe outlasted his peers Carter, McGrady, and Iverson, because of his superior work ethic. Yes work ethic can effect injuries too, because of conditioning.

Conditioning helps you prevent injuries. McGrady is an unfortunate situation with his injuries, because he's a great player, just freak stuff happened.

Kobe's had several injuries throughout his career too.

Broken Hand in 2000 season. Major Ankle injury in 2001 season. Required Knee Surgery in 2003. Major Ankle Injury in 2005. Require Knee Surgery in 2006. Broken Fingers in 2008-2010. Required Knee Surgery in 2010.

He's been through 3 knee surgeries, and is still putting up 27/5/5 in 33 mpg this season.

Kobe rehabs really quickly after surgery, and he probably wants to get back on the floor more than some of the players I mentioned above which might have to do with it.

Kobe busted his a** off, and it has paid off.

[Indian guy]

Allen Iverson?

AI at 32 was dropping 26/7/46% in Denver.

Jerry Stackhouse?

He was an inefficient chucker his whole career. Nothing changed after he turned 30. His role just became diminished because he was on better teams.

Rip Hamilton?

He's been saddled with injuries for a while now. Missed 36 games last season. 15 the year prior and only started 51 out of 67 games. Injuries have been his downfall.

[Mor'Fiyah]

Analysts say this? When? And why does it even matter? Nothing on the court indicates that Kobe is somehow older than he is. If his total minutes point towards the mileage of a 35+ year old has, then I'd like to know why Kobe doesn't move like one. His current feats would've been extraordinary if he was actually slow and couldn't jump. Yet that isn't the case at all.

Hmmm... how many players have come into the league at 18? Now look at how many of them have played at their same level for 14+ years. Also look at how many players have played at a high level for 14+ years regardless of when they came into the league. The fact that Kobe has played at such a high level for so long is precisely whats exceptional about him...

As for which analysts and when... do you watch tv? At all? Do you think the cumulative net just came up with this achievement out of thin air? Or do you not think this has been mentioned time and time again on tv? How about you google Kobe and mileage?

[StillKill24]

Averaging 29.2 points, 5.5 assist and 6 rb on 45.8% shooting is called being carried to a championship?

kobe had shaq and pau and if you combine their 5 championship runs stats into one its an average of 25/13/3/2 fg% 55. yep carried.