Kobe 1999 - 2004 or 2005 - 2010

[mdonnelly1989]

Which 5 year span was better?

[Colbinii]

The group that doesn't have 2004 [1999 is also a notch below the rest].

2005-2010.

[rk2023]

The group that doesn't have 2004 [1999 is also a notch below the rest].

2005-2010.

I’d say 2005 was worse than 2004

[lessthanjake]

2008-2010 is the period of time that makes Kobe’s career IMO. It’s by far the most impressive period of time of his career.

[mdonnelly1989]

2008-2010 is the period of time that makes Kobe’s career IMO. It’s by far the most impressive period of time of his career.

And he was better than Lebron during that time...

[LukaTheGOAT]

I would choose 05-10.

I would say every year of 06-10 was an MVP level year from Kobe most likely (except for maybe 07 which gives me slight hesitance, as that is the year I have done the least research on).

The only years from the 99-04 span I would say are definitely MVP level, are 01 and 03. 02 is a possibility, but that is the only year that could possibly be added to being a MVP-level.

If you look at the 5-year peaks in the PS for each span (Kobe was not in the PS in 05, so I will try to keep the time spans comparable), I think you see Kobe's offense jump several tiers. Kobe's defense was truly special in 99 and 00 on defense, but even at that, I think we are talking at most maybe +1 advantage in defensive impact compared to his peak offensive iterations. Older Kobe was quite possibly more effective in off-ball perimeter defense (his rim-protection was worse at an older age), due to greater communication, and easier defensive matchups. That is not merely enough.

From 00-04 in the PS,

Inflation Adjusted 26.7 pts per 75 (rTS% of 2.2%)

Offensive Load-44.3, About 7 Shots Created Per 100 Possessions

PlayVal-0.7

Backpicks BPM-5.8

AuPM/G-3.5


From 06-10 in the PS,

Inflation Adjusted 29.9 pts per 75 (rTS% of 4%)

Offensive Load of 49.8, About 9.7 Shots Created Per 100 Possessions

PlayVal-1.1

Backpicks BPM-6.2

AuPM/G-4.3

Kobe was tasked with more offensive responsibility in the 2nd half of his prime, and was more efficient than he had been the earlier parts of his prime with less offensive responsibility. That to me is a signal of serious growth on offense.


Kobe despite likely being a bit less athletic in his later prime, had no problem getting to the FT line. From 06-10 in the PS, he averaged about 10.6 FT/100 possessions. From 00-04 in the PS, he was averaging about 9.5 FT/100 possessions. Kobe's older iteration was quite crafty and used the rip-through move, to draw fouls.

Kobe expanded his offensive arsenal too during 05-10, as he would hit fadeaways over both shoulders.

If you care about larger sample sizes, I think Kobe's best RS was definitely in 06 or 08 (when he won MVP).

[Colbinii]

2008-2010 is the period of time that makes Kobe’s career IMO. It’s by far the most impressive period of time of his career.

And he was better than Lebron during that time...

Aside from 2009 and 2010, perhaps.

[iggymcfrack]

2008-2010 is the period of time that makes Kobe’s career IMO. It’s by far the most impressive period of time of his career.

And he was better than Lebron during that time...

The only year Kobe was better than LeBron in 2004 (Bron’s rookie season).

[iggymcfrack]

If I were to rank Kobe years, it would be:

2009
2001
2008
2010
2003
2007
2006
2000
2004
2002
2005
1999

The later period had the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 7th best seasons. It’s really not close.

[ardee]

2005-2010 contain arguably 4 of the best seasons of his career in '06-'09. It's not even close, I don't know how you were expecting any different answer.