Will Kobe have a similar fate to Iverson?

[Ne 1]

But when you look at it, Michael shot a higher percentage. Michael shot 49-50%. Kobe hasn't been able to do that. There's a big difference when you compare those two; the shooting percentages were quite a bit different. -PJax

Technically what Phil said is true, but you have to put things into perspective/proper context. It should definitely be noted that in the 80s and 90s everyone shot a higher FG%


Since Chris Mullin in the early 90s, LeBron was the first perimeter player to average 25+ ppg on 50+%

Reggie Miller who was a jump shoter 98% of the time had 4 seasons shooting 50 FG%.

Drazen Petrovic had 2 seasons.

Jeff Hornacek had 5 seasons.

Even Ricky Pierce had 6 seasons shooting over 50 FG% from the field in the 80's/90s.

Those type of seasons in the mid 80s to early 90s happened all the time. List of other guys who accomplished that feat: Kiki V, Dantley, Aguirre, Dale Ellis, Drexler, Mullin, English, King, Jordan, Bird, Gervin, Worthy, Stockton, Magic, Dr. J, Thompson, Kelly Tripucka and a couple of others came close and I'm sure I am forgetting some names too (stopped happening around mid-late 90s when help defense improved, overall commitment to defense by teams was greater and also perimeter talent was crap) Now if you compare that to the last 15 years, it has been a rarity for a high scoring perimeter player to shoot 50+%. This isn't meant to belittle Jordan or any of the other players I named at all, but it was a different era and the fact of that matter is that the 80s/early 90s was a more wide open game with a lot less defense.

Purvis Short was putting up 26 ppg on near 50%, and I'm to think Kobe is going to have problems shooting a higher percentage than his usual 45-47% average in that era? Especially with him getting a million semi-transition looks all game long, with horrible help defense (which didn't improve until the Pistons showed how), amongst several other factors.

My second all-time favorite player (Magic) comes from that era, and I've had to stop watching games from back then because the defense was that bad. Like no one ever going 10 feet within guys shooting just because they wanted to get the ball ASAP to start a break. I will gladly upload random regular season games from late 80s and let you see for yourselves.

[jstern]

Technically what Phil said is true, but you have to put things into perspective/proper context. It should definitely be noted that in the 80s and 90s everyone shot a higher FG%


Since Chris Mullin in the early 90s, LeBron was the first perimeter player to average 25+ ppg on 50+%

Reggie Miller who was a jump shoter 98% of the time had 4 seasons shooting 50 FG%.

Drazen Petrovic had 2 seasons.

Jeff Hornacek had 5 seasons.

Even Ricky Pierce had 6 seasons shooting over 50 FG% from the field in the 80's/90s.

Those type of seasons in the mid 80s to early 90s happened all the time. List of other guys who accomplished that feat: Kiki V, Dantley, Aguirre, Dale Ellis, Drexler, Mullin, English, King, Jordan, Bird, Gervin, Worthy, Stockton, Magic, Dr. J, Thompson, Kelly Tripucka and a couple of others came close and I'm sure I am forgetting some names too (stopped happening around mid-late 90s when help defense improved, overall commitment to defense by teams was greater and also perimeter talent was crap) Now if you compare that to the last 15 years, it has been a rarity for a high scoring perimeter player to shoot 50+%. This isn't meant to belittle Jordan or any of the other players I named at all, but it was a different era and the fact of that matter is that the 80s/early 90s was a more wide open game with a lot less defense.

Purvis Short was putting up 26 ppg on near 50%, and I'm to think Kobe is going to have problems shooting a higher percentage than his usual 45-47% average in that era? Especially with him getting a million semi-transition looks all game long, with horrible help defense (which didn't improve until the Pistons showed how), amongst several other factors.

My second all-time favorite player (Magic) comes from that era, and I've had to stop watching games from back then because the defense was that bad. Like no one ever going 10 feet within guys shooting just because they wanted to get the ball ASAP to start a break. I will gladly upload random regular season games from late 80s and let you see for yourselves.

I made a thread showing the 2 point percentage for each year since 1979, and the percentage was pretty much identical from then to the present. Only difference that they shoot more 3 pointers now, and back then the centers brought the percentage higher.

EFG%:

2012:.485
2011..498
2010:.501
2009:.500
2008:.497
2007:.496
2006:.490
2005:.482
2004:.471
2003:.474
2002:.477
2001:.473
2000:.478
1999:.466
1998:.478
1997:.493
1996:.499
1995:.500
1994:.485
1993:.491
1992:.487
1991:.487
1990:.489
1989:.489
1988:.489
1987:.488
1986:.493
1985:.496
1984:.495
1983:.488
1982:.495
1981:.489
1980:.486

2010s:.492
2000s:.484
1990s:.488
1980s:.491

So, yeah, there hasn't been any significant change in scoring efficiency, over the last few decades. The difference in FG% is due to the popularity of the 3 point shot, and the lower ppg is due to pace.

[immatell]

Anyway hate him or love him, Kobe's legacy is already cemented as a legend. He'll be remembered with Jordan, Magic and Bird in terms of importance, popularity, respect, dominance and as a winner from the modern era of basketball. Iverson will be remembered with T-Mac/Vince Carter/Steve Francis/Stephon Marbury

Allen had more of an impact on the game than anybody you listed above, minus Jordan. No way in hell any respectful fan puts him in with those last guys, either.