Best player in the 2008 season?

[ardee]

My response to you was because you bizarrely used lack of team success in the playoffs as an argument against Garnett, specifically in a season they won the championship.

Garnett has no case when you consider the fact that despite playing on a super team as the third option he was getting dragged into seven-game battles against far weaker teams.

That wasn't me my friend.

[ShotCreator]

Garnett was at the level of peak Blake Griffin on offense and peak Gobert on defense, with more flexibility than both in one package.

Probably one of the more disrespected seasons in recent memory with it even being questioned if someone topped his play.

It’s really not all that close.

[laronprofit9]

Combining regular season and post season, it’s Kobe.

2008 Gasol was a big impact, but only played 27 games for the Lakers. All 8 teams in the western conference playoffs won 50 games or more that year. The lakers were in the mix even without Gasol. Nuggets were the #8 seed that year at 50-32, which is probably one of the best records ever for a #8 seed. The Lakers being able to get the #1 seed is pretty notable achievement considering the amount of competitive teams in their own conference were taking away wins from each other. Kobe was being a floor raiser that season keeping his team in contention playing all 82 games despite lakers suffering injuries throughout the season. Pau Gasol simply helped raised the ceiling of an already competitive team anchored by Kobe.

Once the playoffs came, Kobe pulled off an impressive run through the western conference. Beating 3 teams that won 50 or more games including the defending champion Spurs. Probably the most efficient all around play by Bryant and probably of any player in the entire league during 2008 during the playoffs:

2008 1st Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs Denver Nuggets (50-32)

33.5 ppg 5.3 rpg 6.3 apg 50%fg 33%3P 74%FT 59%TS

2008 2nd Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs Utah Jazz (54-28)

33.2 ppg 7.0 rpg 7.2 apg 49%fg 21%3P 83%FT 63%TS

2008 3rd Round Playoffs Kobe Bryant vs San Antonio Spurs (56-26)

29.2 ppg 5.6 rpg 3.8 apg 53%fg 33%3P 91%FT 59%TS