Originally Posted by
KG215
Ok, but J.R. Smith, even by NBA standards, is and always has been a very good athlete. You're making it seem like Kobe has overcome nearly impossible lack of physical gifts and tools, and it's only because of his work ethic he's as good as he is.
You mentioned Larry Bird, but Kobe was more physically gifted than Bird. The only thing Bird has on Kobe is his height. Other than that, he wasn't ever as good of an athlete as Kobe; not as good of a leaper, not as quick, not as fast, etc.