Was Kobe Bryant ever the best player in the league?

Lightning25 · Post #1 » by **Lightning25** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 6:58 pm

Do you guys think that Kobe was ever the best player in the league for at least one season? If so, how many seasons and what seasons was he the best player in the league?

I'm asking this because another thread that I am posting in is getting derailed about talks of whether Kobe was ever the best player or not so I decided to ask what RealGM thinks about this subjects.

Rebuilding Year · Post #2 » by **Rebuilding Year** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 6:59 pm

When was Kobe the best?

MVP Award Shares
1999-00 NBA 0.002 (12)
2000-01 NBA 0.009 (9)
2001-02 NBA 0.078 (5)
2002-03 NBA 0.417 (3)
2003-04 NBA 0.172 (5)
2005-06 NBA 0.386 (4)
2006-07 NBA 0.404 (3)
2007-08 NBA 0.877 (1)
2008-09 NBA 0.577 (2)
2009-10 NBA 0.487 (3)
2010-11 NBA 0.354 (4)
2011-12 NBA 0.291 (4)

IMO, the only seasons he has an argument are 2006-2008.

Before that, he has no argument against Shaq/Duncan/Garnett at any point in his career. After that, LeBron has clearly taken the crown.

I think Chris Paul should have won his MVP in 2008. However, I also think he should have won Dirk's in 2007. 2006 belongs to LeBron, though I'd be willing to entertain an argument due to 35 PPG...the fact that Nash won is a travesty. Aside from the regular season performances, which are reflected in the MVP voting, Kobe only got out of the first round in 2008.

I don't think it's entirely unreasonable to say that he's never been the best player in the NBA, but win shares is a stupid argument. Personally I feel that he may have carved out a couple years in 2007 and 2008 where the was the best player, after the Shaq/Garnett/Duncan years and before the LeBron era.

(from the other thread...not sure why we needed a new one but it applies)

MannyRam99 · Post #3 » by **MannyRam99** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:02 pm

05-09.

Rebuilding Year · Post #4 » by **Rebuilding Year** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:05 pm

MannyRam99 wrote:05-09.

2005?

You mean the year he didn't receive a single MVP vote?

#mannyram

Illmatic21 · Post #5 » by **Illmatic21** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:06 pm

05-08, IMO.

_Game7_ · Post #6 » by **_Game7_** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:06 pm

He was never the clear cut best player early in his career when he was fighting with guys like, AI, T-Mac, Duncan, Shaq, Garnett, and now Lebron, Wade, Howard, Durant. He had years when he was known as the best scorer/closer in the game, but not best player.

yitur · Post #7 » by **yitur** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:06 pm

05-06 to 08-09 he was the best player in the league.

parapooper · Post #8 » by **parapooper** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:07 pm

Please tell me how Kobe was even remotely close to Wade and Dirk 2006, Duncan 2007, Garnett 2008 and LeBron 2009

And somebody please call an ambulance for the guy who just wrote Kobe was the best player in 2005.

Josephpaul · Post #9 » by **Josephpaul** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:10 pm

yitur wrote:05-06 to 08-09 he was the best player in the league.

Father Time · Post #10 » by **Father Time** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:10 pm

Much better scorer than anyone through 06 and 07 would be one reason. Extremely close with KG in 08 but has no argument over LeBron in 09.

MannyRam99 · Post #11 » by **MannyRam99** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:10 pm

parapooper wrote:Please tell me how Kobe was even remotely close toWade and Dirk 2006, Duncan 2007, Garnett 2008 and LeBron 2009

And somebody please call an ambulance for the guy who just wrote Kobe was the best player in 2005.

Heat fan06 · Post #12 » by **Heat fan06** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:11 pm

I think he was from 05-08

TheXFactor · Post #13 » by **TheXFactor** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:11 pm

troll thread.

Kobe was unbelieavable in his prime.

Illmatic21 · Post #14 » by **Illmatic21** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:11 pm

parapooper wrote:Please tell me how Kobe was even remotely close to Wade and Dirk 2006, Duncan 2007, Garnett 2008 and LeBron 2009

And somebody please call an ambulance for the guy who just wrote Kobe was the best player in 2005.

Mobat · Post #15 » by **Mobat** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:11 pm

He won an MVP and was robbed of a second one.

Collymore · Post #16 » by **Collymore** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:12 pm

He may never have been the best player in the league, but has he surpassed Jordan as GOAT?

mademan · Post #17 » by **mademan** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:13 pm

05/06. 06/07.

If you believe Kobe was better than Chris Paul in 08 based on his deep playoff run (Chris Paul was clearly better in the regular season) you have to say Wade or Dirk was better than Kobe in 06.

ecnirp · Post #18 » by **ecnirp** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:14 pm

Grabs popcorn. Awaits ShowTimeEra

bballcool34 · Post #19 » by **bballcool34** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:16 pm

MannyRam99 wrote:05-09.

09?

When Lebron had perhaps his greatest season ever?

No.

But yeah, I would say Kobe was the best in 06, with a case in 07, and a smaller one in 08.

MannyRam99 · Post #20 » by **MannyRam99** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:17 pm

bballcool34 wrote:
MannyRam99 wrote:05-09.

09?

When Lebron had perhaps his greatest season ever?

No.

But yeah, I would say Kobe was the best in 06, with a case in 07, and a smaller one in 08.

Kobe had a better run ... and won.