Which Player Would You Rather Take?

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Circumstances wasn't the right word but after all that happened the in the previous 12-13 months, for Lebron to fold like that was more embarrassing to me. They both played terrible and ineffective basketball but Kobe just played horrible, Lebron completely choked.

I understand that LeBron had much more detractors in '11 than Kobe did in '04 and that's why it's a bigger deal to some, but that's exactly what the problem is. People aren't judging from a purely basketball POV. From a purely basketball POV Kobe's '04 performance should be criticized as much as LeBron's '11 but it isn't.

[chazzy]

I understand that LeBron had much more detractors in '11 than Kobe did in '04 and that's why it's a bigger deal to some, but that's exactly what the problem is. People aren't judging from a purely basketball POV. From a purely basketball POV Kobe's '04 performance should be criticized as much as LeBron's '11 but it isn't.

Probably because of their level of play prior to the finals. 04 wasn't a great year for Kobe in general - he shot 41% and 38.6% in two previous series, while Lebron dominated the EC. All the hype was about Lebron finally getting his first ring since he had the help to do it.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Probably because of their level of play prior to the finals. 04 wasn't a great year for Kobe in general - he shot 41% and 38.6% in two previous series, while Lebron dominated the EC. All the hype was about Lebron finally getting his first ring since he had the help to do it.

So because LeBron played better he deserves MORE criticism?...lol I'm not concerned with ESPN narrative. Only the game matters..


The only way I can see someone justify criticizing LeBron more than Kobe is if they concede that LeBron is a clearly better player and therefore should be held to a different standard than Kobe, otherwise it's just irrational.

[chazzy]

So because LeBron played better he deserves MORE criticism?...lol I'm not concerned with ESPN narrative. Only the game matters..


The only way I can see someone justify criticizing LeBron more than Kobe is if they concede that LeBron is a clearly better player and therefore should be held to a different standard than Kobe, otherwise it's just irrational.

Just explaining why the reactions were different. The bigger the dropoff from your previous play, the stronger the reaction imo.

[Sarcastic]

Not enough information to make an informed decision from your cherry picked stats.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Not enough information to make an informed decision from your cherry picked stats.

I posted all the typical stats. Should i post blocks and steals as well?

[Mure]

To be fair Kobe never felt even 10% of the scrutiny and hate LeBron did. LeBron has been held to a standard no other athlete in the history of sports has, and he has come through after his choke with 2 rings and fmvps.

Kobe's 04 series is obviously just as bad, he just was lucky to play before social media and to be gifted 3 chips with the most unstoppable force the league has ever seen.

[Sarcastic]

I posted all the typical stats. Should i post blocks and steals as well?

Need to see the context and role with which each plays on their team.



If all you are willing to give is random stats, can we at least see PER?

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Need to see the context and role with which each plays on their team.



If all you are willing to give is random stats, can we at least see PER?

I can't find the PER and I don't know how to calculate it but i'm about 98% sure player A has the higher PER from looking at the numbers (PER is heavily reliant on ast/to ratio)

[Sarcastic]

I can't find the PER and I don't know how to calculate it but i'm about 98% sure player A has the higher PER from looking at the numbers (PER is heavily reliant on ast/to ratio)

http://www.basketball-reference.com/

[RoundMoundOfReb]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/

You can't find PER for a series from there.

[Sarcastic]

You can't find PER for a series from there.

What was each's game score then.

[bdreason]

Player A was considered the best player in the world.

Player B wasn't even the best player on his team.





And Kobe was crucified for his performance. People also blamed him for running off Shaq and Phil. Don't forget this was coming off his rape case in 2003 as well. It took Kobe years to rebuild his image.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

What was each's game score then.

Player A avg Games Score - 13.7

Player B avg Game Score - 11.6

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Player A was considered the best player in the world.

Player B wasn't even the best player on his team.

I agree with this and this is why I do criticize LeBron for 2011 moreso than Kobe for 2004

The only way I can see someone justify criticizing LeBron more than Kobe is if they concede that LeBron is a clearly better player and therefore should be held to a different standard than Kobe, otherwise it's just irrational.

But that isn't what most critics do. They still feel Kobe is better yet excuse him for an even worse finals showing.