Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > The Myth Of “Kobe Stoppers”
Lakers News

The Myth Of “Kobe Stoppers”

Steve Bitter
Published: 03/31/2011
8 Min Read
SHARE

As the playoffs are now just days away we begin to consider and break down potential opponents.  From a team vs. team to a player vs. player perspective, the winner of a seven game series is in large part determined by match-ups.  The Lakers’ speed, age and length will all be important factors against whichever opponents await.  Although, regardless of how the Lakers will match up to their opponents, they will always have the advantage at the shooting guard position. No exception.


For the most part, the opposite shooting guard is called on to slow down Kobe Bryant.  With no real way of stopping him, the most they can do is play a pesky style of man-defense and hope for the best.  During the Lakers’ current championship campaign, dating back to the 2008 playoffs, players on the opposing bench have tried every which way to get at Bryant.  From series to series, players from J.R. Smith, to Shane Battier, to Ron Artest, to Mickael Pietrus have all tried to etch their name as the perennial “Kobe stopper”.

But there is one infamous opponent that stands above the rest.

I currently reside near Phoenix, Arizona.  Even though he has not worn a Suns uniform for a few seasons, Raja Bell is still considered a hometown hero in the valley.  I wouldn’t even be surprised if Suns fans are calling to retire his jersey when he calls it quits.  All this love and admiration stems from one single play in 2006 when Raja Bell went vintage NBA on Two-Four, then Eight, and clothe-lined Bryant to the floor.  Suns fans went crazy and Mike D’Antoni began barking at somebody over something.

Since that night happened, I am constantly reminded and asked about that play.  With Suns fans as co-workers in every job I’ve had, it’s hard to escape the memory of Bryant on the floor, Bell smiling and the cheers of “Kobe sucks!”  A friend of mine even created it into his screensaver.

Because of this, Bell is often referred in Phoenix as the ultimate “Kobe stopper.”  But was he?

In 2006, Bryant’s regular season scoring average was 35.4 points per game.  Bryant’s regular season average against the Suns when Bell played went up to 42.3 points per game.  Advantage Bryant.  In the Lakers’ first and only round of the playoffs against the Suns, Bryant’s average dropped to 27.9 points per game.  Advantage Bell?  Nope.  That is still higher than his current career playoff average of 25.5 points per game.

Next: Kobe vs. The League

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
123Next Page
eric-lakers@gmail.com _

Los Angeles Lakers

27.8K Subscribers
Add to Calendar
POWERED BY
calendar_view_day
No Upcoming Events
Add to Calendar and you'll be the first to know when new events are announced.
Past Events
THU

1

may
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Thu, May 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(96) - Minnesota Timberwolves(103)
SUN

27

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sun, Apr 27 | 7:30 PM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(113)
SAT

26

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sat, Apr 26 | 1:30 AM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(104)
WED

23

apr
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
Wed, Apr 23 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(94) - Minnesota Timberwolves(85)
SUN

20

apr
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Sun, Apr 20 | 12:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(95) - Minnesota Timberwolves(117)
SUN

13

apr
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
Sun, Apr 13 | 7:30 PM · Moda Center, 1 Center Court, Portland, OR
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
✔ Portland Trail Blazers(109) - Los Angeles Lakers(81)
SAT

12

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 12 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(140) - Houston Rockets(109)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
Wed, Apr 9 | 11:30 PM · American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, TX
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
✔ Dallas Mavericks(97) - Los Angeles Lakers(112)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
Wed, Apr 9 | 12:00 AM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(136) - Los Angeles Lakers(120)
SUN

6

apr
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
Sun, Apr 6 | 7:30 PM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(99) - Los Angeles Lakers(126)
SAT

5

apr
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 5 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(124) - New Orleans Pelicans(108)
FRI

4

apr
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
Fri, Apr 4 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(116) - Golden State Warriors(123)
TUE

1

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Tue, Apr 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(104) - Houston Rockets(98)
SUN

30

mar
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
Sun, Mar 30 | 12:00 AM · FedExForum, 191 Beale Street, Memphis, TN
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
✔ Memphis Grizzlies(127) - Los Angeles Lakers(134)
FRI

28

mar
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
Fri, Mar 28 | 12:00 AM · United Center, 1901 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
✔ Chicago Bulls(119) - Los Angeles Lakers(117)
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?