How different would Kobe's career be?

[LakersMaster24]

Let's say Kobe Bryant does not spend the majority of his career as an incredible scorer, but instead played a more overall game.

Imagine if instead of averaging like:

27PPG on 45FG% 5APG and 5RPG for his career.

Kobe averaged:

22PPG on 52FG% 8APG 7RPG for his career.

How different would his career be? Would he have more rings? Less rings? More MVPs? How high would you rank him in the Top-10? Could he make a case for Top 3 if he won the same amount of rings?

[LAKobeBryant]

more what if threads?

[ewing]

What if Greg "Cadillac" Anderson focused on his ball handling more?

[LakersMaster24]

Just a hypothetical question inspired by Kobe's recent play.

[Cal827]

Probably be looked at as more.

He would still likely 4-5 titles (Shaq dominated for three, and the one from Orlando... the Boston one is a tossup, but

50+ percent shooter while averaging close to triple double numbers. Already great defender (declining though... at this point the fact that he's on the first team is a complete fail by the NBA lol)

Still with the dagger shots.

Top 5 all time. MJ, MJ, Kareem would be ahead... maybe Chamberlain...

[Doogolas]

The real question is:

What if Shaq had CP3's handles.

Unstoppable.

[Mr_Jones]

Things would be....

DIFFERENT.

[Mr_Jones]

The real question is:

What if Shaq had CP3's handles.

Unstoppable.

**** that. Would rather have Shaq getting Reggie Miller's shooting. Poopiesss

[tredigs]

How'd he become such a better career rebounder? The facilitating I can see, and in some questions they actually would not be better teams. Certain teams NEED their stars to be volume shooters, even at the cost of a bit of efficiency. But on a team like this? Obviously they'll be much better if he allows his elite teammates to stay involved.

[ThaDubs]

**** that. Would rather have Shaq getting Reggie Miller's shooting. Poopiesss

What about both?

[LakersMaster24]

How'd he become such a better career rebounder? The facilitating I can see, and in some questions they actually would not be better teams. Certain teams NEED their stars to be volume shooters, even at the cost of a bit of efficiency. But on a team like this? Obviously they'll be much better if he allows his elite teammates to stay involved.

When Kobe sets his mind to rebound, he can rebound at a great rate. I agree that some teams need a high-volume shooter, but averaging 22-23PPG on 52FG% is great. If he averages 8 assists, that means he is responsible for another 16 points. So in reality he is responsible for about 35-38 points. Had Kobe been more pass minded back in '04 lets say, that series wouldn't end 4-1.

[Doogolas]

How'd he become such a better career rebounder? The facilitating I can see, and in some questions they actually would not be better teams. Certain teams NEED their stars to be volume shooters, even at the cost of a bit of efficiency. But on a team like this? Obviously they'll be much better if he allows his elite teammates to stay involved.

Eh, a couple reasons:

A) Taking fewer shots gives him WAY more opportunities to get offensive boards, because he isn't the guy putting up the shot.

B) Spending so much less energy jumping and taking contact from taking fewer shots would leave him more energy to crash the boards.

[Cal827]

What about both?

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7...rmz4o1_400.gif

[b@llhog24]

Around the same. Great players are generally great players irrespective of their environment.

[Lucky.]

What about both?

Mind. Blown.