“Kobe Bryant was the last person to average 30 ppg and make an NBA All-Defensive First Team”: Unreal stat underlines how dominant the Lakers legend was during his prime

Kobe Bryant was identified for his offensive prowess – however his protection is criminally underrated.

Kobe and MJ are the one two gamers to be all NBA 1st crew for protection, and win a number of scoring titles. Whereas Jordan did it for 9 straight taking part in seasons, with a retirement in between, Kobe did it twice in 2006 and 2007. Kobe additionally had the same report in 2003, though he didn’t win the scoring title that 12 months, he averaged 30 ppg and was all NBA 1st crew then as effectively.

Kobe Bryant had 2 corridor of fame careers with two completely different numbers with the Lakers. Whereas No.8 was extra explosive and in your face, No.24 was chilly, crafty and minimize throat. The end result was the identical although – they might run you ragged on each offense and protection.

For lots of children within the league, LeBron James is THE man within the league. However for LeBron James, it was Kobe Bryant. Kobe dominated the league like how Michael Jordan did, and it got here to some extent the place folks the place making YouTube clips of how they had been eerily related. That at all times concerned offensive clips although, however yet one more space that Kobe emulated MJ was his capacity to defend.

Additionally Learn: “Kobe Bryant went off for 20, 25 points in the second half!”: Shaun Livingston recollects his first matchup with the Lakers and facing Kobe

The final participant to common not less than 30 PPG and make the All Protection 1st crew was Kobe Bryant in 2007. The particular person earlier than that? Kobe in 2006. The particular person earlier than that? Kobe in 2003. pic.twitter.com/ssb7qKxRho

— Tupac (@TupacAG) December 19, 2021

The craziest factor about Kobe Bryant and people seasons – He didn’t win an MVP in any of these years

It’s nearly a legal offense that somebody of Kobe’s caliber ended his profession with one solitary MVP. There isn’t any method that he ought to have, with stats like these. If Giannis Antetokounmpo or James Harden averaged these numbers within the present NBA season, they might be crown unanimous MVP – Kobe was simply held to a special commonplace.

Tim Duncan, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki could have gotten their groups to higher positions within the league, however take away Kobe from these bang common rosters within the 2003, 6 and seven seasons, and the Los Angeles Lakers don’t make it previous the primary spherical. Such was the affect of 1 man on the roster. He single handedly willed a crew that had Smush Parker and Kwame Brown into the NBA finals. If that doesn’t deserve an MVP, then nothing else does.

Even if you happen to requested somebody who didn’t play basketball ever, he would for certain know one of many three names -Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq for simply his sheer variety of endorsements, however the different two for his or her on court docket performances translating to actual world superstardom.

Additionally Learn: “Kobe Bryant had a legitimate chance to better Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 point game”: On this day in 2005 Lakers legend Kobe Bryant outscored the entire Dallas Mavericks team all by himself