Was Kobe ever an elite athlete in the NBA?

[The Skyhook]

Man I miss the super athletic Kobe days sometimes.

[NoMoreLayups]

Alright guys, tell me how Kobe's current athleticism is then. Is he still one of the most agile players? one of the most fastest players? One of the best leapers? I want to know about current Kobe's athletic form now, not when Kobe was an elite athlete, which I will admit to now.

[Frantik]

didnt lebron put up 50+ points and needed a respirator or something? hmm....
Kobe put up 81 and walked off like damn did yall witness that?

OP, there is no such thing as a guy like you convinced.

[Tee212]

Havent read all the posts but the ones Ive seen, most seem to relate athleticism with just a vertical. Kobe had a great vertical (just hard ot tell because he cold never freely palm the ball in mid air, thus limitng the finish).....and I know people are going to start hissy fittin but I consider him more athletic than LeBron. LeBron is gifted with size, comes with power and speed...and a great vertical, but Kobe is more athletic to me because his physical abilities equate to much more. Being able to cut, turn, jump off one leg, two legs, either left or right, etc., body control in air, Saying a vertical is the standard is like saying Dominique or Carter are more athletic. Kobe is the total package..not the highest leaper nor the fastet in the 50, but overall he gets 9's across the board in many more categories.

And I dont know why people think LeBron and Wade are better dunkers...most are just straight power......Kobes in game dunks were much more difficult and required more body control, precision, and skill. I think VC was a better in game dunker than the rest tho.

this sums it all up, his body control and ability to contort his body to create an ugly shot to most other players but to our eyes it looks pretty. wade/bron just does not look pretty imo.

this best kobe clip explains it all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyKgaeAoa-g

[Mamba Venom]

He was NEVER #1 because of Vince but he was 1b for a while.

[Frantik]

this sums it all up, his body control and ability to contort his body to create an ugly shot to most other players but to our eyes it looks pretty. wade/bron just does not look pretty imo.

this best kobe clip explains it all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyKgaeAoa-g

My gosh that is difficult to watch!
I keep going OMG OMG OMG ...
so sick it discombobulates the brain chemistry...

[Magicontinues]

["]

this best kobe clip explains it all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyKgaeAoa-g

Yes, it does say it all, shows how assinine the question asked in this thread is. I mean, my gosh, if someone can post here, can they not go watch a few you tube clips and answer their own question before they make a fool out of themselves asking such a question that has to be one of the dumbest I've ever seen on a Laker site? Poor youngins never got to see Kobe in his prime.

[ock]

NoMoreLayups is clearly trying to start a nonsensical debate to increase his number of posts.

Any further "debate" will only encourage him and similar ridiculous and irrelevant threads.

[brandonkb8]

DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[crazyeights]

NoMoreLayups is clearly trying to start a nonsensical debate to increase his number of posts.

Any further "debate" will only encourage him and similar ridiculous and irrelevant threads.

Good to see an old dog around, ock. I've always liked your avy.

And you're right, the "debate" started out about Kobe "ever" being an elite athlete...then NML claims he just wants to know Kobe's athletic ability now.

Despite some flashes of old, he can't jump as high, and he's not as quick, but the way Kobe uses his body is still one of the best in the game.

[H00PDREAMS]

Kobe was crazy athletic in the day but now...
Kobe is crafty like ice is cold.

[Dalakerbox]

to answer your question...simply go to youtube and enter kobe dunks on _______(anyone in the league) and you will see for yourself just how athletic number 8 really was. Also the first couple years of 24. he used to take two step and dunk on anyone, I actually seen one where he hop stepped and dunked over shaq's head in practice, but the Dwight Howard dunks stands out the most....can't believe this was a serious question

[LAKESHOW]

funny thing was, NOT a whole lot of people thought magic was an elite athlete. not the best defender. not the fastest point guard. not the elite athlete. but his desire and focus on winning, and his sheer passion for the game made him a superstar.

in KOBEs case, yes, he is an elite athlete, not the most gifted like vince carter who can jump out of the building in his day, but his sheer desire and focus make him elite. and we all know, if it came down to picking teams between vince carter and kobe bryant, kobe would be the guy you want on your team. because vince waivers under pressure, while kobe wants to kill you and eat your children for lunch.

so yes, he is an elite athlete, watch youtube. especially the dunk over dwight howard. but more importantly, his internal desire makes him a fan favorite, and a "hated" man around the league.

[houston911]

absolutely

[TonyMontana]

NoMoreLayups is clearly trying to start a nonsensical debate to increase his number of posts.

Any further "debate" will only encourage him and similar ridiculous and irrelevant threads.

Exactly............... CHECK HIS JOIN DATE. HE'S NOT A LAKER FAN

A word of advice to all my Laker brah's

Posters with join dates on or after July 8 2010 are either ex Cavs fans or Lebron JOCKRIDERS or BANDWAGON RIDERS. If you dont believe me roll over to the Heats board and see how many posters joined their boards on or after July 8th. NoMoreLayups is cleary a TROLL and you can clearly see his intention by his GARBAGE THREAD he created to start ish on our board.

GTFO

[NoMoreLayups]

Kobe was crazy athletic in the day but now...
Kobe is crafty like ice is cold.

Thanks........I want to talk about Kobe's athleticism now-a-days and not about his athletic prime/peak anymore, but I guess now I"m referred to as a Heat bandwagoner now?

[dub81]

Kobe is a great athlete.....

But it's cool to see that he does not need to depend on his athleticisim to be great...


Vince, Bron, Wade are better athletes than Kobe meaning they could of played any sport if they wanted to. But with hard work, dedication and understanding the game..He is light years ahead of them...


It just show's the kids that with hard work and dedication in anything you wanna do in life you can succeed.

[ock]

NoMoreLayups is clearly trying to start a nonsensical debate to increase his number of posts.

Any further "debate" will only encourage him and similar ridiculous and irrelevant threads.

Good to see an old dog around, ock. I've always liked your avy.

And you're right, the "debate" started out about Kobe "ever" being an elite athlete...then NML claims he just wants to know Kobe's athletic ability now.

Despite some flashes of old, he can't jump as high, and he's not as quick, but the way Kobe uses his body is still one of the best in the game.

yeah, it's been a while, crazyeights. Glad to be back!

[The Laker Kid]

Well he makes things look so easy, that's probably why some people think he's "not athletic".