What year did Kobe's decline begin?

[Im so nba'd out]

I can't quite put my finger on it.Im asking people for the eye test answer not the nba.com looking @ stats answer

[MavsSuperFan]

2011 imo

[Im so nba'd out]

2011 imo

He was so good in 2012-13 tho thats why its tricky

[MavsSuperFan]

(Turns Filter Off)You can 1 star my threads but your life is a 1 star

did you 1 star your thread for this gimmick?

[Im so nba'd out]

did you 1 star your thread for this gimmick?

I will give this thread a 3 star to raise it to 2 stars to show i dont rate my own threads....o well it raised it to a 3 star

[Quickening]

He was so good in 2012-13 tho thats why its tricky

No he wasn't, he played zero defence.

[lbj4kb8]

Its hard to say due to his high level of play during the 2012-2013 season. There has been a steady decline up to that point. But the second his achilles rupture was the definitely date of his decline.

[CavaliersFTW]

Unlike Lebron Kobe never visibly exited his prime. It is so gradual, the guy is a living breathing legend, still a 25/5/5 player despite playing in his 20th NBA season

Lebron will likely retire before Kobe at this point, as he went from one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport to 90's era Larry Bird athleticism in just the span of one off-season.

[Genaro]

As a Laker fan who watch almost every Kobe game I would say 2011 season. He had 2 bad years in 2011 and 2012 although I thought he was coasting in '11 cause Lakers were 2 time champions but when the playoffs came his knees were rotten and he didn't perform at his standards.

In 2013 he had a come back offensively but his defense wasn't the same. I think that is the way the greats go down, they fall a little but they can have a good season even after that.
This season is still young to judge but I think is safe to say that now he is in full decline.

So long answer short, I would say Kobe's prime was from 2001 until 2010.

[Mr. Jabbar]

not sure, too gradual, too classy, too legendary.

i do know lebald visibly exited his prime before our eyes 2 years ago tho

[Hey Yo]

It was after the 2009-10 season where you could clearly see a decline the next 2 seasons.

Then before the 2012-13 season, Kobe made a few trips to Germany for some illegal doping in hopes to get back some of the athleticism and it worked that year, but injuries ensued soon after.

[20Four]

not sure, too gradual, too classy, too legendary.

i do know lebald visibly exited his prime before our eyes 2 years ago tho

[Doranku]

2011, imo, was just a year of fatigue as he got progressively better in 2012 and then in 2013.

So I'd say his decline began with the Achilles injury, unfortunately.

[tmacattack33]

He went down (2011) and up (2013) and down again (now).

Oh well...he's old...this sh*t happens.

[DMAVS41]

Game 7 2010 NBA finals.