Post by Rog on Aug 16, 2016 17:47:12 GMT
Known to the recent additions to the league as only a decent scorer but great defender, Kobe Bryant is the 46th nominee of the NBN Hall of Fame. Kobe Bryant had one of the most dominant early runs in the league, was it enough to propel him to the Hall of Fame, or did his last four or five seasons drag him down enough to keep him from enshrinement? Let's take a look.
Career Stats
38.3 MPG, 26.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 2.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 2.7 TOPG on 46.6% from the field, 84.6% from the line, and 42.1% from three
Best Season
Hawks(2002) - 34.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 3.1 TOPG on 48.8% from the field, 84.6% from the ine, and 43.2% from three
Career Highs
Points: 62
Rebounds: 18
Assists: 13
Steals: 10
Blocks: 3
Achievements
Championships: 0
Player of the Game: 262
Player of the Week: 7
Player of the Month: 2
Double Doubles: 202
Triple Doubles: 9
Accolades
2000 - All-Star Game Participant
2000 - All-League First Team
2001 - All-Star Game Participant
2001 - All-League First Team
2001 - All-Defensive Second Team
2002 - 3-Point Shootout Champion
2002 - All-Star Game Participant
2002 - All-League First Team
2003 - All-Star Game Participant
2003 - All-League Second Team
2003 - All-Defensive Second Team
2007 - All-Defensive Second Team
2008 - All-Star Game Participant
2008 - All-League Third Team
2010 - All-Star Game Participant
2012 - All-Defensive Second Team
Arguments For Induction
- Bryant played in 6 All-Star Games, also won a 3-Point Shootout during the 2002 All-Star Weekend. Kobe was also named to three All-Defensive Second Teams, three All-League First Teams, and one All-League Second and Third team apiece.
- Kobe might have been the best defensive shooting guard in league history, even if the awards don't show it. Sure he split the awards with, and has great competition from, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, but Kobe has the better stats. He finished his career 1st in steals All-Time, averaging 2.5 a game for his career and averaging more than 3 a game three times in his career, which is an incredible achievement. His 3.1 steals a game in 2007 and then again in 2012 remains the record in a season.
- Kobe also might have been the best scoring shooting guard in league history if not for his final four seasons, even then T-Mac might still have been better. But Kobe probably is second or third, behind only maybe Vince Carter. He averaged 26.9 points a game for his career, a number he was always near 30 in all seasons other than his last four. In fact he averaged over 20 points a game for 13 straight seasons and over 25 a game for 11 straight seasons. That is incredible. Oh and he finished second All-Time in points for his career, despite his last four years not being the greatest offensively.
- He also shot the ball with incredible precision. During his prime you could guarantee he'd get you 28 points on a 48.5/88.5/44 slashline. You can't beat that... well you can if your name is Kevin Durant, but otherwise! Did I mention he also finished second All-Time in three point shots made? Again, second greatest scoring shooting guard of All-Time.
- To top off his amazing game, he was a fantastic passer for a shooting guard, he had 9 triple doubles during his career and averaged around 4.5 assists during his prime.
- Overall Kobe was the complete and total package, offering you 28 points, 7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.8 steals during his 11 year reign of terror on the league. Sure he never won a title, sure he had turnover issues, but he has elite counting stats and his career stats are elite as well. He had one of the greatest 11 year runs in league history, only matched potentially by Josh Childress and T-Mac, and will eventually by KD. You can't keep him out of the Hall of Fame can you?
Arguments Against Induction
- Again, like Francis, he has stats for days, but he really doesn't have the awards to show you that he was more than just blank stats. He has more than the majority of the class, but is it enough for a Hall of Famer? Don't know.
- Also like Francis, Kobe really had a turnover problem, though not to the level as Francis but he also didn't play point guard. Averaging over 3 for his first five years, some of his best years, and over 2.5 for the majority of that 11 year run. Thats an issue, giving the ball away to the other team is a huge no-no.
- Also, not a great rebounder. Wasn't a true negative there but for a lot of his career only averaged just over 6, which is incredibly average for a shooting guard.
- Most of all, never won a title and wasn't ever that close other than the year he went to the finals. Was it his turnovers? Or was his teams just not talented enough around him? Whatever it was, it really impacts his legacy because he can't be mentioned among the GOATs without a title can he? And This is without mentioning the shell he was his last two seasons, he held on for way too long.
Vote carefully, and remember to throw out arguments regardless of which side you're on. This should be a discussion that eventually gets the league to the proper decision on him. Your vote can also be retracted after it's been cast if you feel like switching to the other side based on the arguments that have been made. To be inducted, a player needs 70% and to be considered in a later class they need 50%. Vote carefully!
***BONUS - Don't forget that everyone who votes gets $25 and the person that makes the best argument or contributes to the discussion the best will be awarded an extra $25***
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