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When it's all said and done, who's going to be the greater player?

Right now Curry is probably the sexier pick, but i still take Kobe Bean Bryant

P.S. first time I've ever seen these 2 be directly compared

Like Curry more but voted Kobe. Not sure why but I have a hard time comparing Curry to other greats, just doesn’t feel right.

Sactown Wolf wrote:Like Curry more but voted Kobe. Not sure why but I have a hard time comparing Curry to other greats, just doesn’t feel right.

But Curry had a higher peak, and he changed the game.

CodeBreaker wrote:When it's all said and done, who's going to be the greater player?

Curry has the higher peak but even that is arguably an RS peak. Hard to say Kobe had the better team even relative to their eras, and he went 2-1 (though he was close to 1-2). Career wise it's IMO Kobe and not close.

Curry definitely peaked higher. They are neck and neck as far as careers go, with maybe a slight edge to Kobe (for now). Even that is debatable.

Kobe **** Bryant

Interesting comparison but I go Kobe. Curry being above Kobe just doesn't feel right at this time.

I'm a big Steph fan, but it will be hard for Steph to be greater than Kobe with the amount of defensive accolades that Kobe has under his belt. Kobe was all defensive 1st team 9 times!

Kobe.
More durable, More resilient in the playoffs, less volatile.

Steph quite easily by the end of his career

PaulLee wrote:I'm a big Steph fan, but it will be hard for Steph to be greater than Kobe with the amount of defensive accolades that Kobe has under his belt. Kobe was all defensive 1st team 9 times!

A lot worse offensively though, and some of those defensive awards were by reputation

Curry is clearly a better player, but hard to argue with 5 rings for GOAT lists.

Steph is 31, so we'll see, Kobe ahead right now, easily. Steph would really have to show some magic the next couple of seasons.

Definitely Steph. The gap should be pretty big when Steph retires.

Curry had a higher offensive peak, but Kobe was a significantly better defender.
Kobe also had greater longevity, assuming a normal decline curve for Curry. Kobe was also the unquestioned best player on two title teams, while Curry only one. Curry also doesn't have a FMVP, while Kobe has 2.

It's a good comparison, but I feel like it's Kobe pretty comfortably tbh.

CIN-C-STAR wrote:Curry had a higher offensive peak, but Kobe was a significantly better defender.
Kobe also had greater longevity, assuming a normal decline curve for Curry. Kobe was also the unquestioned best player on two title teams, while Curry only one. Curry also doesn't have a FMVP, while Kobe has 2.

It's a good comparison, but I feel like it's Kobe pretty comfortably tbh.

on ball defense for guards is so overrated in these discussions...the offensive gap between them is wider than defense...there's a reason Stephs impact metrics are infinitely better despite Kobe being a "way better defender"

Kobe was a pretty good player in the post 2006-era. But he was the best guard in the league the early 2000s when it was very physical, and developed his skills in that era. I really doubt Curry would've been remotely as effective in the early 2000s especially in the playoffs, he probably would've looked a lot more like in 2015 when Dellavedova guarded him.

Kobe could score on several defenders when his team needed points. Curry can play within a team scheme and hit open shots at a very high level. I think both are elite in different ways. But I think Kobe could play in a lot of different eras successfully whereas Curry might not be as good in some other eras if coaches didn't want him shooting volume 3s as much, and if defenders were more physical with him. I think Kobe is known for being one of the hardest workers and most durable which gives an edge too.

GeorgeMarcus wrote:

PaulLee wrote:I'm a big Steph fan, but it will be hard for Steph to be greater than Kobe with the amount of defensive accolades that Kobe has under his belt. Kobe was all defensive 1st team 9 times!

A lot worse offensively though, and some of those defensive awards were by reputation

A lot worse? Are you just going off percentages?

How do you personally conclude that an award is given by reputation? I'm just curious?