Another problem with the 2004 Lakers besides Kobe's ineffective shooting was also having to rely on a streaky shooter with mediocre defense in Stanislav Medvedenko after Karl Malone's injuries and the Pistons were able to exploit that on both ends of the court. Honestly, the 2004 finals defeat against Detroit was a blessing in disguise for the Lakers. It resulted in a major trade that saved the Lakers from overpaying an aging and injury prone Shaq, which opened the door for a trade for Pau Gasol, netting them 2 more titles in 2009 and 2010.
Kobe put up 40 against the team with the best regular season record in the NBA that year and arguably the best defensive team in the league that year. If I had to pick any version of Kobe throughout his 20 year career, on an all-time NBA team, it would be 05-06 Kobe.
What about 2003, there’s really nothing 2006 kobe could do that 03 kobe couldn’t do but 03 kobe was definitely faster, more athletic, and had a much quicker first step
Man put Kobe's offensive game in 2006, in that 2004 Finals and Lakers win that in maybe 5 or 6 games
Another problem with the 2004 Lakers besides Kobe's ineffective shooting was also having to rely on a streaky shooter with mediocre defense in Stanislav Medvedenko after Karl Malone's injuries and the Pistons were able to exploit that on both ends of the court.
Honestly, the 2004 finals defeat against Detroit was a blessing in disguise for the Lakers. It resulted in a major trade that saved the Lakers from overpaying an aging and injury prone Shaq, which opened the door for a trade for Pau Gasol, netting them 2 more titles in 2009 and 2010.
Kobe put up 40 against the team with the best regular season record in the NBA that year and arguably the best defensive team in the league that year. If I had to pick any version of Kobe throughout his 20 year career, on an all-time NBA team, it would be 05-06 Kobe.
What about 2003, there’s really nothing 2006 kobe could do that 03 kobe couldn’t do but 03 kobe was definitely faster, more athletic, and had a much quicker first step
@@lioninthesun I think 06 Kobe was a little bit more mature. Even though he was still just as aggressive and determined to score.
Kobe gets 40 and 12 and doesn't get player of the game. That's how average this game was this season
They play the 'Higher' beat by The Game every time Kobe scores lol
Wow just noticed that all these years later 😂😂😂😂
During the 3-peat run, they used to play an Eminem beat every time he scores.