Kobe: 33.7 PPG -- 7.2 RPG -- 8.3 APG -- 2.5 TOV -- 52/43/88 splits -- .589 eFG% -- .637 TS% -- (+43 On / -15 Off)
Dirk: 32.2 PPG -- 5.8 RPG -- 2.6 APG -- 4.2 TOV -- 56/36/97 splits -- .580 eFG% -- .701 TS% -- (+22 On / -2 Off)
'10 Suns: 54-28 record -- 4.67 SRS (6th) -- 110.2 DRtg (23rd)
'11 OKC: 55-27 record -- 3.81 SRS (9th) -- 107.2 DRtg (15th)
Series Highlights:
Spoiler:
I remember at the time I was just so in awe of Dirk vs. the Thunder. The way he made Ibaka look helpless is something I'll never forget. Even though I was also amazed at what Kobe did to the Suns in 2010, it just felt like what Dirk did to the Thunder in 2011 was crazier. But after analyzing the numbers and videos from each series, I feel like Kobe may have had the better overall performance.
Dirk was more efficient scoring because of his foul drawing ability this series. Dirk scored 59 on his 161 PTS in his series from the FT line while Kobe scored only 37 of his 201 PTS from the FT line. Drawing fouls is obviously an important part of the game so you have to give credit to Dirk. Ibaka/Collison/Durant just could not guard him without fouling him.
But Kobe being a far superior ball-handler and playmaker is why I'm leaning towards his Suns series as better. Kobe averaged 5.7 more APG and 1.7 less TOV than Dirk did in their respective series. That's a massive difference and more than makes up for the TS% difference imo.
Dirk was an absolute mid-range God against OKC, but he only made 4 threes in the series though. Whereas Kobe made 19 threes or about 3.2 per game on .432 3P% vs. the Suns... aka Steph Curry numbers.
48 PTS on 15 FGA and 0 3PA in Game 1... that statline from Dirk still makes no sense and is definitely the best game between either player in these 2 series. But overall, after really thinking about it I believe Kobe's performance against the Suns was better because he was a more complete offensive weapon while being at the very least a more versatile defender.
Both of these performances were legendary. They're both on the short-list of best offensive series in a Conference Finals or Finals. Which one do you think was better?
