Greater: Kobe Bryant vs Stephen Curry

[SeniorWalker]

Curry definitely peaked higher. They are neck and neck as far as careers go, with maybe a slight edge to Kobe (for now). Even that is debatable.

This. Although I do feel Kobe's career has a distinct, even if not major, edge over steph today, Steph can still close the gap. And again, the gap is not wide at all.

I do feel Kobe has become slightly underrated due to the era he played in, in which most top perimeter players were valued for their shot creation ability rather than efficiency. If Kobe's was prime was in the 2010s rather than the mid 2000s he'd likely be conscious of this and look much better like most elite players do today.

I also think if Steph actually won that 2016 finals like his team really should have, then I might have him over Kobe already (and likely inside the top 10), or at least neck and neck. For now Steph is just inside the top 20 for me, while Kobe is #11 on my list. Steph peak was super high. This year we will see if he has truly already given us his absolutle peak or if he is still prime, but past his absolute peak.

[CodeBreaker]

I’ll take the one that can shoot

But both can shoot

[JRoy]

One is the shooter in the league history.

The other a huge volume shooter.

[Biased_Fan6425]

i really wished Kobe played in this era..

[LarsV8]

i really wished Kobe played in this era..

No you don't

Kobe played in one of the most favorable situations imaginable.

His legacy would take an enormous hit in this era.

[GeorgeMarcus]

i really wished Kobe played in this era..

Just curious- do you think he would be more impactful in this era than during his own? I don’t mean box stats/efficiency, but whether his impact on team success would improve? I just don’t see the argument that it would, but I’m keeping an open mind.

[CodeBreaker]

If Harden is so great in this era.... imagine Kobe Bryant.

How quickly people forget.

[LarsV8]

If Harden is so great in this era.... imagine Kobe Bryant.

How quickly people forget.

Harden is a significantly better player than Kobe Bryant

[NO-KG-AI]

Kobe because Steph’s peak includes flaming out badly in the finals.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[HBK_Kliq_33]

Kobe because Steph’s peak includes flaming out badly in the finals.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

I actually agree Kobe is greater but that's your reason? Kobe embarrassed himself during 2008 as well and in 2010 he wasn't even his teams best player.

[CodeBreaker]

If Harden is so great in this era.... imagine Kobe Bryant.

How quickly people forget.

Harden is a significantly better player than Kobe Bryant

I highly doubt you actually believe what you just said

[dhsilv2]

If Harden is so great in this era.... imagine Kobe Bryant.

How quickly people forget.

That harden has real advantages as a player over Kobe?

[dhsilv2]

If Harden is so great in this era.... imagine Kobe Bryant.

How quickly people forget.

Harden is a significantly better player than Kobe Bryant

Eh...see my last post, but not exactly. Harden has CLEAR advantages but he doesn't have the nuances and multiple skills as kobe either. Absolutes aren't a good idea here.

[SpreeS]

Career and peak is overrated thing for me. Prime is what the most important to explore players value and impact. TOP stars becomes not so attractive with lower production, worse defense and huge egos/contracts after prime. Paul, Kobe, Carmelo, Westbrook, Wade and others are examples. In other way Duncan was huge for SAN with his salary size after prime. All these accomplishment after prime are popularity awards and Kobe could be the most benefited from it.

So I compare Kobe prime 10y (01-10) to Curry 7y (13-19). Yes, Kobe is ahead but needs to wait 2-3y to compare them. If Curry will stays on MVP level next two years, I would go with him. Curry impact on offense is better than two way player argument.

Next one thing - characters. Curry could play with everyone, he is nice guy, like Duncan. Bynum, Howard, O’Neal, Malone arent Kobes friends...Kobes ego is huge and hurt team chemistry.

[Strepbacter]

i really wished Kobe played in this era..

Just curious- do you think he would be more impactful in this era than during his own? I don’t mean box stats/efficiency, but whether his impact on team success would improve? I just don’t see the argument that it would, but I’m keeping an open mind.

The four out or five out spacing he'd play with today is infinitely better than what he had under the triangle with Bynum/Shaq/Pau/etc consistently clogging the lane. That alone would make a big difference.

[GeorgeMarcus]

i really wished Kobe played in this era..

Just curious- do you think he would be more impactful in this era than during his own? I don’t mean box stats/efficiency, but whether his impact on team success would improve? I just don’t see the argument that it would, but I’m keeping an open mind.

The four out or five out spacing he'd play with today is infinitely better than what he had under the triangle with Bynum/Shaq/Pau/etc consistently clogging the lane. That alone would make a big difference.

Unless he’s thrown onto a team like the Spurs, Sixers, Lakers, etc where spacing isn’t exactly their calling card. I agree his efficiency should improve as a whole in the modern era. What I’m not convinced of is that his impact on winning would improve.

[Strepbacter]

Just curious- do you think he would be more impactful in this era than during his own? I don’t mean box stats/efficiency, but whether his impact on team success would improve? I just don’t see the argument that it would, but I’m keeping an open mind.

The four out or five out spacing he'd play with today is infinitely better than what he had under the triangle with Bynum/Shaq/Pau/etc consistently clogging the lane. That alone would make a big difference.

Unless he’s thrown onto a team like the Spurs, Sixers, Lakers, etc where spacing isn’t exactly their calling card. I agree his efficiency should improve as a whole in the modern era. What I’m not convinced of is that his impact on winning would improve.

Cool. He doesn't improve and he's still a better playoff performer than Curry prime vs prime. He's still a better defender who is much less exploitable in the post-season. He's still more durable. He still takes better care of the ball and is the better rebounder. He's still a much better ISO scorer (critical in the post-season) etc etc. He has plenty of advantages over Curry...particularly in the post-season.

As for impact, we're talking about a guy who had the BEST ORAPM mark (+6.6) in the 02-11 study RAPM study. Who had the THIRD best minute-adjusted RAPM marks in that same study behind behind only LBJ and KG and ahead of guys like Dirk, Nash, Duncan, etc. His impact is unquestionable.

[CodeBreaker]

The four out or five out spacing he'd play with today is infinitely better than what he had under the triangle with Bynum/Shaq/Pau/etc consistently clogging the lane. That alone would make a big difference.

Unless he’s thrown onto a team like the Spurs, Sixers, Lakers, etc where spacing isn’t exactly their calling card. I agree his efficiency should improve as a whole in the modern era. What I’m not convinced of is that his impact on winning would improve.

Cool. He doesn't improve and he's still a better playoff performer than Curry prime vs prime. He's still a better defender who is much less exploitable in the post-season. He's still more durable. He still takes better care of the ball and is the better rebounder. He's still a much better ISO scorer (critical in the post-season) etc etc. He has plenty of advantages over Curry...particularly in the post-season.

As for impact, we're talking about a guy who had the BEST ORAPM mark (+6.6) in the 02-11 study RAPM study. Who had the THIRD best minute-adjusted RAPM marks in that same study behind behind only LBJ and KG and ahead of guys like Dirk, Nash, Duncan, etc. His impact is unquestionable.

But as Curry fans should say: Gravity

[Biased_Fan6425]

i really wished Kobe played in this era..

No you don't

Kobe played in one of the most favorable situations imaginable.

His legacy would take an enormous hit in this era.

Really now? Imagine Kobe getting those Harden calls.

Also imagine Harden in that 2000 era. He would be crying for the non-calls that he would get.

[GeorgeMarcus]

The four out or five out spacing he'd play with today is infinitely better than what he had under the triangle with Bynum/Shaq/Pau/etc consistently clogging the lane. That alone would make a big difference.

Unless he’s thrown onto a team like the Spurs, Sixers, Lakers, etc where spacing isn’t exactly their calling card. I agree his efficiency should improve as a whole in the modern era. What I’m not convinced of is that his impact on winning would improve.

Cool. He doesn't improve and he's still a better playoff performer than Curry prime vs prime. He's still a better defender who is much less exploitable in the post-season. He's still more durable. He still takes better care of the ball and is the better rebounder. He's still a much better ISO scorer (critical in the post-season) etc etc. He has plenty of advantages over Curry...particularly in the post-season.

As for impact, we're talking about a guy who had the BEST ORAPM mark (+6.6) in the 02-11 study RAPM study. Who had the THIRD best minute-adjusted RAPM marks in that same study behind behind only LBJ and KG and ahead of guys like Dirk, Nash, Duncan, etc. His impact is unquestionable.

Worse winning% in the playoffs, less points on worse efficiency (weighted for league average), worse RAPM averages including slightly worse DRPM... Per usual people overrate on ball perimeter defense (like when people thought Avery Bradley was some elite defender) and underrate playing the passing lanes. Curry is always among the league leader in steals.

What exactly is the argument for Kobe creating separation from Curry in the playoffs? He’s a top ~15 player of all time so let’s not pretend I’m insulting the guy. Just his inflated reputation.