Kobe Steals LeBron's Mojo, Ranks 4th in Points in the Paint

by Josh Tucker on Dec 4, 2009 1:07 PM PST in Editorial Comment 15 comments

You know how the argument usually goes, right?

Kobe Bryant proponents claim that he is the best player in the NBA because of his fully rounded game and his ability to score on teams in every way imaginable; they claim he can't be stopped because no team is capable of defending all of his many, varied weapons.

Meanwhile, LeBron James advocates claim he is the best player in the NBA because, while his skill set is more limited, his singular talent — getting to the rim for dunks and layups — is much more dominant than any of Kobe's single talents; they claim he can't be stopped because the easier-said-than-done task of keeping him out of the paint is nearly impossible. They also claim that while Kobe is a bigger threat due to the complexity and breadth of his skill set, LeBron is a more consistent threat due to the simplicity of his dominant skill.

Even the most passionate of LeBron fans isn't foolish enough to claim that LeBron is more skilled than Kobe. To them, it's a question of effectiveness, and they believe the sheer power and force of LeBron's limited skill set is equally effective, in terms of producing NBA success, as the awesome breadth of Kobe's all-around game, because of LeBron's ability to consistently get (and convert) high quality looks at the hoop — that is, points in the paint.

All of which makes a golden little nugget found in ESPN's Weekend Dime very interesting. Details after the jump...

ESPN included the following chart in their Weekend Dime (#3), making a point Lakers fans will no doubt relish: Three of the NBA's top five scorers in the paint are Lakers. That's music to our ears here at SS&R, and spells problems for 29 other teams in the League.

But that's not all. Notice who is on that list ... and who is not. What does that say for the Kobe/LeBron discussion? And while we're at it — score another one for Kobe in the overall "Kobe Decline Watch," which is much predicted but continues to show no indication of actually happening yet.

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Nice find Josh

by wavenstein on Dec 4, 2009 1:12 PM PST reply actions

Interesting Josh

They want Kobe to decline so they can boost Lebron more but Kobe is still on his game, as always, sorry Lebron but you will have to wait your turn.

There are basic Fundamentals that are needed to move forward in this game. Always keep your guard up at all times to avoid being caught in a trap. Overcome the fouls that will be commited against you REBOUND AND PRESS ON. ADJUST to the LimeLight: ALL-STAR PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. Know what your role is and play your position. Find a game plan and execute it. REMEMBER YOU ONLY GET OUT OF THE GAME WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.

by BrittneyM on Dec 4, 2009 1:16 PM PST reply actions

these old slow fingers...

i wanted to post this first, ’cept i wanted to point out the lack of KG and DH, the alleged beasts in the easts. these cats are jokes compared to our warriors(so to speak).

Lakers, Hurricanes, Dolphins
Imagine my sports world in the 80's. They're almost back, 'ceptin the Dolphins

by LAKESHOWrydamee on Dec 4, 2009 2:03 PM PST reply actions

I made a couple hotspot charts on NBA.com for Kobe and Lebron and

the only place LeBron dominates is ‘At The Rim’ where he is shooting 71% (93/130) compared to Kobe’s 59% (78/131). LeBron has also taken far fewer shots in the paint, and has lower FG%.

I think it’s pretty clear that Kobe is the better and moer effective paint player at this point in the season, though a much different one than LeBron. LeBron is typically known for his strength and speed in getting to the rim, followed by electrifying finishes. I think before my reading this article and looking at the hotspot charts, I would have been in the LeBron camp, however, I think I am on Kobe’s side on the statistical analysis side of things.

My question is if Shaq has made LeBron less of a paint player?

by stephens on Dec 4, 2009 2:33 PM PST reply actions

here is a little graphic showing this seasons paint totals

by stephens on Dec 4, 2009 3:50 PM PST up reply actions

i was just on ESPN,

I saw the chart and loved it. 3 lakers, i mean that is pretty impressive. I wonder how many teams have done that.

" I'm a human, not a sandwich"

by true_lakerfan on Dec 4, 2009 3:47 PM PST reply actions

Surprised...

Where are the usual “beasts” in the paint, i.e. Dwight Howard, KG, Shaq…. MIA?

by mwl20 on Dec 4, 2009 5:18 PM PST reply actions

KG?

all kg does is shoot jumpers…

hes scared of contact..

by matthewmafa on Dec 4, 2009 6:13 PM PST up reply actions

dwight usually gets fouled before he can finish though

shaq is well…38?

by Nostance on Dec 4, 2009 6:54 PM PST up reply actions

End of discussion?

Unfortunately the discussion of “Kobe vs. Lebron” will not come to an end until Lebron retires WITHOUT a ring. It will be difficult for any team to be a champion with Lebron because of the tendancy to revolve a team around him. Kobe had a wonderful opportunity to become a champion without being the primary focus of the team and therefore learned how to be a champion first, MVP second.

by marcjo on Dec 4, 2009 5:35 PM PST reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30fLeNzdy-s

The puppets are back.

by intuitive on Dec 4, 2009 5:53 PM PST reply actions

yup i saw it also and you beat me to the post

i knew the puppets would be back and hopefully the same results happen, kobe winning and lebron losing

by BrittneyM on Dec 4, 2009 6:45 PM PST up reply actions

Amazing. And… MONTA? Wow.

by Vic De Zen on Dec 7, 2009 1:17 PM PST reply actions

YOU KIDDING ME??

I guess this guy didnt notice that THIS SEASON kobe attempts 22 shots per game and LeBron attempts 18 shots. Common sense tells you that kobe will have higher points in the paint because he attempts more shots!!
Ok let me tell you this. Lebrons FG% is 51% and kobes FG% is 49%. (Even LeBrons 3pt % is 33.3%, 4 attempts per game, while kobes is 32.7%, 3 attempts per game. Kobe only leads in FT%, 85% to lebrons 77%.)
So What am I saying here? Whoever posted this story failed to mention that LeBron is shooting better than kobe. His story is just full of Half-Truths.

by Duannew on Dec 8, 2009 1:05 AM PST reply actions

Lebrons window.

What people need to understand is that the simplicity of Lebron’s dominant skill will not be there forever. It WILL become less and less “simple”. Thats when he will have to rely on a jumper and a midrange game. One in which he doesnt have. In fact Lebron, besides the ability to get to the rim, has no offensive game period. Make Lebron a jumpshooter, which Ron Artest does better than anybody, and you stop Lebron. Last season Artest held Lebron to a combined 33% shooting in the two games he faced him last season. NOW.. Make Kobe a jumpshooter and he will destroy you, make him drive and he’ll destroy you, make him shoot the three and he’ll destroy you, and now make him post up and he will destroy you. Where Lebron can beat you with one aspect, Kobe can beat you with every aspect. Take away Kobe’s pistol, he pulls a shotgun, take away his shotgun, he pulls a machine gun, take that away and he’ll pull a bazooka. Take away Lebron’s pistol and he pull out his huevos because that all he has.

by Xris M on Dec 8, 2009 11:58 PM PST reply actions