Almost immediately after Kobe Bryant won his record-tying fourth All-Star game MVP award, TNT analyst Charles Barkley said what he’s said all season long. His message was that Lakers star Kobe Bryant has lost his legs.
The All-Star game, which saw Bryant throw down at least three electrifying dunks, may prove that Barkley is jumping the gun with his assertion, but not even Kobe’s biggest supporters can deny that Bryant has lost a step athletically.
No, this is not another plea for the media to stop hating Bryant, because Barkley is correct, he just may be exaggerating Kobe’s athletic decline, but comparisons of his game now to his in previous years shows that he doesn’t have the same jumping ability that he once did.
Much in large part to the era of highlight dunks taking the highlight reels, the common misconception in basketball circles is that Kobe’s game has suffered due to the fact that he can’t get up like he used to. This is simply untrue, because as his athleticism has decreased, Bryant has found ways to evolve his game.
NBA greats such as Magic, Jordan, Kareem and Bird all went through periods in which they were not the most athletic players in the league, yet they still maintained their legendary status. Now in the midst of his 15th season, Kobe is doing the same.
During his initial years of his NBA career, Bryant was known for his high flying dunks and explosive play. Along with players such as Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, Bryant was seen as the next generation of up and coming players to take over after Michael Jordan retired. Players such as McGrady and Carter have seemingly fallen off of the map after suffering a decline in athleticism, while Bryant has seemingly gotten better.
With constant improvement in various facets of his game, Bryant has maintained his spot at the top of the NBA elite. Every year Bryant seems to have another new trick up his sleeve and this comes through Bryant’s impressive work ethic, intangibles, and dedication to not just be an all star, but a legend.
Next: The driving force behind Kobe’s greatness
Perhaps Bryant’s greatest trait is his work ethic. No matter what the circumstance of the previous season, it seems as if Bryant has little to no off season during the summer. This work ethic has allowed for Bryant to adapt to the changes in not only his body but also the league.
Take for instance Bryant’s post play, similar to Jordan during the Bulls’ second 3-peat, Bryant adapted to the mileage that has caused for his hops to not be what they once were. Bryant has bulked up, adding the muscle necessary to play physical against some of the strongest players in the game on the low block. This is evident just by looking at the size of Bryant over the years.
Bryant has also furthered his excellence on the low-block by going so far as to reach out to Hakeem Olajuwon for input on some low post moves. With the addition of a low post game second to none, Bryant’s hard work has made him one of the most complete scorers of all time.
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This is merely one example of Bryant’s dedication to the game he loves, as Kobe has been fine tuning his game for his entire career. Since his rookie season in 1996 Bryant has transformed himself from a scrawny kid who could leap out of the gym to a player who can score from anywhere on the court, making him one of the all time greats in the process.
By now we have all heard the stories of Kobe hoisting up thousands of shots a day and arriving at the gym during hours that most are sleeping. Essentially teaching himself a picture perfect jump shot. This is one of the major reasons why Bryant has been such a force in the game for so long, despite a drop in his athleticism. His ability to hit nearly any shot, despite multiple defenders, more than makes up for the athletic decrease in his game.
The results of this are 40 point games, spectacular shots and most importantly championships. Many NBA players talk the talk when it comes to improving in the offseason, Kobe simply walks the walk.
Next: Mind over Matter
The NBA can often be a highlight driven league, as it’s usually a powerful dunk that makes the top 10 list on SportsCenter rather than a fundamental play. This is part of the reason so many are quick to anoint LeBron James as the NBA’s best player, despite the fact that the Black Mamba still holds that honor.
One of the reasons Bryant is the best player to this day, despite not having the hops he once did, is because he has become one of, if not the smartest player in the game. In addition to his work ethic, Bryant has learned a great variety of his repertoire of moves through simply being a student of the game. Bryant has taken elements of players past and present, ranging from all generations and positions into his game, giving him one of the most lethal array of moves the game has ever seen. Bryant’s obsession for the game also gives him the advantage of knowing his opponents tendencies and weaknesses.
The fact that Bryant is a student of the game has given him a tremendous advantage over players of today who just rely on their athletic ability. This is much of the reason why Kobe has been able to sustain his greatness while other players fade away when their athleticism does the same.
Bryant’s basketball smarts have not only translated into individual success, but team success. Perhaps more than any player in the league Bryant is an extension of the coach on the floor. He understands the ins and outs of the very complicated triangle offense, allowing him to direct the Lakers. He also is the key component to the Lakers’ defensive effort.
Bryant also knows exactly what buttons to push in order to get the Lakers to play to their potential. He knows when to look for his shot and when to get his teammates involved at the right moment. This aspect of Bryant’s game has been unfairly questioned in the past, but it has driven the Lakers to back-to-back titles.
Kobe also has the tough mentality needed to be a leader for an 82 game marathon plus the postseason. Despite having numerous injuries that would put the average player under the knife, Bryant continues to have a warrior mentality. Bryant rarely misses games, which sets the tone for the rest of the Lakers.
Perhaps the greatest part of Bryant’s mentality though is his fearlessness. Even as an 18-year-old rookie, Bryant was not afraid to take big shots. Although Bryant shot two infamous air balls in the playoffs against Utah during his rookie season, it proved that he was not afraid of the moment.
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This trait is something that has caused Kobe to become undoubtedly the most clutch player in the game today. No matter what the stats say, no player is feared more than the Black Mamba in the closing moments of a game, unlike other players, most notably James, Bryant is not afraid to be the goat and relishes the opportunity to be the hero. Being as cold blooded as Kobe is something that can’t be taught and only the great ones have it instilled in them.
So while other players can wow the arenas with their dunks and athletic plays, the older and wiser Bryant makes basketball an art form. Plus, a buzzer beater to win the game is much more exciting than a dunk, right?
Next: Kobe’s quest to be the best
Perhaps the best aspect about Kobe is the fact that he demands himself and his team to be the best. This means that he puts in the time needed to be the best and this kind of effort is contagious.
Individually, Kobe’s greatness can’t be denied, although some still try to do just that. The 7th all-time leading scorer has 5 championships, an 81-point game, an MVP, two Finals MVPs, and numerous other accolades. Many players would be content with all of this success, but not Kobe as he still has the same competitive fire that he has had since day one. This will to be the best is why Kobe is head and shoulders better than everyone else and is quickly ascending in the short list of NBA legends.
Bryant is one of the few superstars in the game who will do whatever it takes to win, if the Lakers need an incredible game winner he’ll do it, if they need a defensive stop he will do it, if there is a loose ball to be had he will be the first to the floor. This kind of effort and willingness to risk his body wins championships and also sets the tone for role players to do the same.
We have seen it time and time again, whether Kobe is on top of the basketball world or suffers defeat, he always does what it takes to take himself and his team back to elite status. Bryant’s determination, not athleticism, is the major reason that he has outlasted the players he rivaled in the early part of the decade and it is also the reason why he will outlast several of the players of this generation.
So while many basketball fans are captivated by the athleticism of LeBron, the dunks from Blake Griffin or the speed of Derrick Rose, they should also make note not to bet against that old man from Los Angeles in June.