I'm not saying Kobe is a bad defender (he isn't), just saying that all-defense is not really a good measure of a player's defense.īro defense isnt only about reducing shot s also guarding passage ways, stopping easy shots (if someone pushes you out to the perimeter thats great.if the attacker still scores then thats good offense not bad defense), steals, blocks, defensive win shares. All-defense teams are usually based off of reputation, and not off of substance. Now this stat doesn't track help defense, but you get the point. Kevin Durant on the other hand, made players shoot 6.5% worse when he was on them. Lebron made players he was on shoot 1.5% worse. That year, he made all defensive second team. Lebron got an all-defensive second team nod in '14. But that's the playoffs and this was a regular season award and he got it based solely off of reputation. He probably is the best Lebron defender in the league, he completely locked him down last year in the playoffs. Now, Butler is a great perimeter defender when he wants to be. To call Butler a 2-way player last year was asinine. Players shot 4% better when they were guarded by Butler, than when they were guarded by other players. Like he shouldn't of been considered anywhere near the top defenders last year and I have very valid proof to back this up. Jimmy Butler made all-defense second team last year, and I know this sounds a bit stupid, but Butler was bad on defense last year.
Not only that, but all-defense teams are a bit of a joke. A great defender, sure, but not better than those two. Kobe is not a better defender than MJ or Pippen. But honestly dont you guys think he shouldve gotten a 99? I mean old man 96 MJ gets 99 but NO other player does? Not 50 ppg Wilt or 35 PPG with an 81 pt performance Kobe? I mean thats whack.Kobe deserves that 99.especially for that game.No one ever (except Wilt) has scored near 81 points.not even MJ.I also think his 80 dunk is a bit of a joke.Its 27 year old Kobe without major injuries.didnt exactly decrease insanely since 01 (that cards got like 95 dunk) Apart from that the offense is INSANE and accurate.I wouldve liked a better defense.idk why people dont realize but Kobe is one of the best defenders ever.maybe even better than Pippen and Jordan.before everyone hates.Kobe has by FAR the most defensive first team and defensive second team wins of any player ever.Hes always been a consistent beast there.but 90 is still great! Mainly the Post Fade and Dunk shouldve gone up to give him that 99 ovrl. DirkMamba 35 Jan 21st, I do agree with you in that Kobe refined his Fadeaway for the 07 season.but he had begun using it more and more after Shaq left and the lakers offense relied more on Kobe isos.Especially since this card is supposedly his 81 game performance.he scored like half his shots on ridiculous fades.