RealGM

What would you say is Kobe’s most underrated playoff series?

I don't think Kobe was ever underrated.

An underrated series was against v Rockets in 1999. Decent scoring but really strong all around game in that series.
Averaged about:
21 IA PTS/75
7.8 REBS/75
6.7 ASTS/75
2.1 STLS/75
2.1 BLKS/75

+0.1 rTS Defense Adjusted

6.2 BPM

I don't know if it's underrated but his absolute destruction of SA in the 2008 WCF was really impressive.

Honestly, that whole run through the west was arguably the best of his career. Next to his scoring binge in 2007 (after he fully recovered from knee surgery), that '08 run through the west was the most "awed" I'd been by Kobe

One_and_Done wrote:I don't think Kobe was ever underrated.

Ur just a hater hater aren’t you lol

In terms of underrated, really any 1 of his series from the first 3 rounds are worthy shouts. Kobe literally was playing with Shaq, a guy 1 year removed from his peak (a peak that some believe is the greatest ever), and there are good arguments to be had that Kobe was the most valuable guy on the court. Overall, he might have been the best overall player during the 01 playoffs.

His best series was against a terrific Spurs defense.

Kobe against the 01 Spurs

31.7 pts per 75 (rTS% of 8.9%)

Backpicks BPM-11
AuPM/G-6.8
BPM-11.6

Net Rating-23.5

The Lakers had a 116.2 ORTG with Kobe on.

The Lakers had a +9 rORTG against the Spurs. Kobe shot 75% at the rim on 7.6 FGA. The ’98-02 Spurs authored the second-best five-year defensive stretch of the 3-point era (not including the 04-08 Spurs), with an rDRtg 5.6 points ahead of the league, so for Kobe to going against a defense dynasty and do what he did, is quite remarkable.


For comparison, in the same series,

Shaq against the 01 Spurs

27.8 pts per 75 (rTS% of 6.6%)

Backpicks BPM-11
AuPM/G-5.5
BPM-4.5

Net Rating-22.7

The Lakers had a 114.5 ORTG with Shaq on.

Another key thing to note is how impressive Kobe's turnover economy was. Kobe only had a cTOV% (creation-adjusted turnover rate, or turnovers committed as a percentage of offensive load) of 7%. Shaq was at about 11% which is quite a bit higher.

2004 Spurs.

^^Good post. Yea Kobe might have actually been the best overall player in the 2001 playoffs.

Another underrated series maybe 2009 WCF vs. Denver. Averaged 34.0/5.8/5.8 on +9 rTS with 2.2 topg in a tough 6-game series . The Nuggets were firing on all cylinders and if not for the Melo injury they would have been even tougher.