fanofthegreats wrote:Pelly24 wrote:ShotCreator wrote:You say that as if all things are equal in other aspects of athleticism.
Drexler’s top speed, first step, leaping and strength all top Kobe’s.
Drexler was an all-world athlete. The only reason he never peaked higher than Kobe is because his fine motor skills weren’t up to par.
Drexler scored at a high level without a good handle for over a decade. His cut, catch and finish and transition game was just that deadly.
Drexler’s offensive rebounding ability was that of Anthony Davis. Probably higher.
I don’t see Kobe’s athleticism being close to as revered as it’s getting ITT. Nothing really backs up the idea he could top Butler, Drexler or Wade athletically.
He just had better fine motor skills than any of them to complement what athleticism he did have.
I think the motor skills are a part of the athleticism, though, especially if it gives you an edge. That's what gives MJ an athletic edge over people like peak Westbrook.
As far as nothing backing up the idea that he could top those guys, I think Kobe was measured with an official vertical of 38 inches when he was 17 coming out of high school. Butler's was 39 inches after a few years in college. DWade's vertical was 35 inches. Kobe has more poster dunks than both of these guys combined. He also had ridiculous reverse dunks on the baseline. He dunked on Dwight Howard and Tim Duncan and Yao Ming. His dunks easily rival or even exceed Drexler's.
Drexler was fast, but Kobe had a great firs step also. His ability to change directions, as well as his lateral quickness and body control were all superior. Kobe was also an elite defender, and those attributes and his reflexes only helped that.
So idk. Kobe jumped as high or higher than Jimmy Butler, and definitely higher than DWade, and he had way more impressive posters/dunks than either of them. Kobe wasn't as strong as Butler but he was way more agile and definitely had a quicker first step.
Kobe's bounce and quickness are without a doubt elite. His refined athleticism—changing directions, balance, coordination, reflexes—were GOAT levels, and that's what helped give him such an edge.
I don’t see how anyone can look at Jimmy Butler and conclude he’s more impressive athletically than Kobe Bryant.
I can see an argument for Clyde, he’s definitely more impressive in an open court setting. But for all useful basketball functions, it’s clearly Kobe.
Useful basketball functions don’t define athleticism.
Jimmy Butler would kill you in a UFC cage far faster than Kobe. If trained at a young age, I don’t see why Jimmy couldn’t be a top LHW on the planet.
He’d be a better skill player in the NFL.
Hell he’d be a better defender in the NFL.
Kobe ain’t beating him in swimming either.
This is a guy who as a ROOKIE, could guard that absolutely massive version of Miami LeBron without help defense.
And Stephen Curry and James Harden shows the flaw in both your thinking.
Kobe was not goat level in fine motor skills. Or balance, or coordination, or change of direction.
Curry was.
Harden even tops Kobe in those categories. Athletic peak Harden is loaded with athletic advantages over Kobe. 2013 Harden has first step(easily), strength, top speed, brakes, change of direction.
Harden was right behind Miami LeBron as an open court offensive player until he got older and slower.
Kobe was lateral quickness, leaping, other things I’m not feeling generous enough to remember.
Kobe is FAR closer to Harden athletically than the top guys like Butler/Wade/Drexler.
Swinging for the fences.