Kobe is gonna guard Steve Nash..

[Soothsayer]

If Kobe's reputation affects players then isn't that as good as being a good defender?

No, obviously. As Westbrook said after that game, Kobe wasn't really guarding me, I was just being passive. Once a player realizes that the substance can't back up the reputation any longer, the reputation becomes meaningless. Kobe's defense is still above average, but hardly elite, except in short spurts.

[LA_Showtime]

No, obviously. As Westbrook said after that game, Kobe wasn't really guarding me, I was just being passive. Once a player realizes that the substance can't back up the reputation any longer, the reputation becomes meaningless. Kobe's defense is still above average, but hardly elite, except in short spurts.

You would have a valid point had Westbrook played better afterwards.

[Replay32]

Why would phil put kobe on nash? That's just dumb and unnecessary.

[Swaggin916]

Kobe only guarded Westbrook for a small portion of the series, and Westbrook was intimidated by the FACT Kobe was guarding him moreso than the actual defense Kobe played. Kobe's reputation on defense is better and more effective than Kobe's actual defense at this point in his career.

Against really talented offensive players yea he can't shut em down... nobody really can. Against poor-pretty good offensive players he is fantastic tho.

[Jacks3]

Kobe only guarded Westbrook for a small portion of the series,

Not true. He was on him the last 2 games. In fact, the two most important games of the series.

[Soothsayer]

You would have a valid point had Westbrook played better afterwards.

Yes. And he did.

[Soothsayer]

Not true. He was on him the last 2 games. In fact, the two most important games of the series.

Kobe was only on Westbrook for a portion of game 6. Westbrook was also better in that game once he adjusted mentally to Kobe guarding him. Kobe can't check Westbrook, but he was better than D Fish.

[Soothsayer]

Against really talented offensive players yea he can't shut em down... nobody really can. Against poor-pretty good offensive players he is fantastic tho.

Agreed. Kobe, at this point in his career, has most defensive success eating up moderate offensive 2 guards.

[NewYorkUSCtrojan]

D.Fish and Jordan is doing a tremendous job on Nash. No need for Kobe in this series.