The reason why Kobe is greater than Steph has nothing to do with TS%/efficiency or any of these other metrics.
Its because of his play in the playoffs and Steph has not stepped up in moments like Kobe has.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1160616-power-ranking-kobe-byants-11-greatest-playoff-moments#slide1Kobe’s line read 15 points, six assists and four rebounds, which is nothing spectacular. The Bean was the third-leading scorer in the game behind Shaquille O'Neal and Glen Rice, of all people.
This game rebukes the notion that Bryant is selfish as he also only took 11 shots, choosing rather to be a distributor and defender.
However, true greatness can neither be denied nor suppressed, and with the game in the balance the Laker took a "shot" at being great. The player Bryant hit the game-winner over was none other than All-Defensive second-team member Jason Kidd.
In 2001 the Lakers were sweeping their opponents out of the playoffs. The Kings were next to be swept out of the postseason. Bryant opened the game scoring 13 points in the first quarter and closed it out by scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter; in total he went for a game-high 48 points.
The Laker great was also the game’s leading rebounder with 16. Yes, the 6'8" guard outrebounded Shaq, Vlade Divac and Chris Webber—so much for one-dimensional.
When people discuss who the greatest player from 2000-2010 was, there are only two stars who should be mentioned: Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan.
The two were on the floor together in this 2002 classic.
Duncan finished with 30 points and 11 rebounds, but it was Bryant who stole the show. Kobe secured an offensive rebound and put-back against both Duncan and David Robinson. The Lakers took an 87-85 lead and eventually won the game and the series.
It's plays like that against some of the game’s premier players that should thrust Bryant above the competition.
The Lakers were down 2-1 in this series and needed Game 4 if they were to come back and win the series.
The Lakers opened the fourth quarter up by just five points after trailing for the better part of the game.
Bryant then scored 15 of the LA’s 24 fourth-quarter points and finished the game with 42 points. Bryant carried a Lakers club that only put one other player in double figures (Shaq) in a game they had to have.
Los Angeles won this game and eventually the series, 4-2.
Bryant was cocked and loaded in this contest. The guard was primed for another bout with his nemesis Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs.
The Lakers had been down by as many as 20 points and trailed for the bulk of the fourth quarter. Once taking the lead it was Duncan who tied the game at 85 with 41 seconds left, thus setting the stage for another Bryant memorable moment.
The guard put LA up for good with 23 seconds left and finished Game 1 with 27 points and nine assists.
Los Angeles went on to beat the Spurs 4-1.
The Lakers looked lost and, quite honestly, shook to death at the prospect of being Western Conference champions, yet alone NBA champions. Down by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter, the Purple and Gold appeared headed for a summer of discontent. Then a huge block on Bonzi Wells by Bryant and corner pocket three-pointer by Brian Shaw suddenly knocked the deficit down to 10.
A Robert Horry three got the lead down to five and after a Bryant elbow, jumper Brian “Dead-Eye” Shaw tied the game up. Shaq put the Lakers ahead and Kobe took the game over from there. A jumpshot and alley-oop later, LA was headed to its first NBA Finals appearance in nine years.
Bryant led both teams in assists with seven, in blocks with four and in rebounds with 11. The Laker was the complete package in and it was is block that sparked the biggest comeback in Game 7 history.
It was no accident Kobe Bryant led his team past the Boston Celtics on this day. Bryant's shot was not falling but the champion reverted back to prior game seven performances and directed his attention
elsewhere.
The guard would outrebound both Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace to the tune of 15 rebounds. Yet with the game still in jeopardy it was Bryant’s three straight defensive rebounds that would help push the Lakers over the Celtics.
Known throughout his career as a selfish scorer it was this game seven with the spotlight squarely on him the Laker great found another way become a champion. The guard showed his versatility and most of all
his heart with this performance.
From the 2010 Finals everyone wants to talk about Kobe's poor shooting.
Who really gives a damn about poor shooting. Everyone in that game shot poorly.
Kobe got 3 consecutive defensive rebounds in a tight game...that is what people miss when judging Kobe is that its not just about shooting, or making assists, or anything. Kobe just does whatever it takes to win.
Whereas with other players, you judge them on only their efficiency or so random impact stat.
Who remembers any of that crap years later....no one.
We only care about did you win the game.
Steph is great, I don't have really anything negative to say about him, but he has not done the "other things" that greats do to win in the playoffs. Its strictly about his shooting......
I'm so tired of the typical......