Kobe's defense has been a complete joke this year

[zn23]

Before I get into Andre Miller blowing by Kobe on multiple occasions, which by the way is not a surprise if you've been watching the games this year, Kobe has played probably some of the worst defense I can remember. Kobe Bryant has to be one of the most overrated defenders of all time so It's not a total shock.

When I say overrated you have to look at how many All-NBA first team's and 2nd teams he's been selected to. 12 All-NBA defensive selections in total!! It's absurd. Don't get me wrong he played well early in his career but the last 4-5 years he's been dreadful defensively. This season he's reached a new low.

Ignore the stats for a second and I challenge you to pay attention to Kobe only on the defensive end. What you will see, besides him guarding the other teams worst player, is playing off his man at least 4-5 feet. Getting buried under screens. Every time the other team sets a screen on Kobe he's finished on that play. Because he never fights through the screen, the majority of the time he goes under all the screens even against shooters. He always switches on screens. For example if he's guarding Wade and Chalmers comes over to set a pick he'll actually force poor Steve Nash on an island against Wade and then he'll pick up Chalmers. It's ridiculous! All he does is roam on defense, hoping to get a pass go his way so he can intercept it. In the game against Portland he leaves Wesley Matthews and Batum wide open for 3's, go watch that game and look at how much separation Kobe is giving them.

Against Denver, he let 36 year old Andre Miller, blow by him at least twice for easy layups. He left Andre Iguodala open in the corner and he nailed a 3. He tried guarding Ty Lawson only to pick up a personal foul and then gave him to Nash.

It's bad enough that the Lakers have Nash getting isolated, but to have both Kobe and Nash as complete liabilities on the defensive end is simply a recipe for disaster.

Anyways I want to know does anyone else notice this? I'm not hating I'm just telling the truth, he's been non-existent on defense and as a leader of that team he sets no tone defensively and that rubs off on the other players.

[4milesperday]

ok...i'll "ignore the stats" and just listen to your rant

[shep33]

This guy again

[zn23]

This guy again

Andre Miller says hi.

[ILLUSIONIST^248]

Andre Miller says hi.

What a god awful poster you are.

[b@llhog24]

Pot meet keetle.

[poleandreel]

LOL only Kobe fans have responded. Obviously they disagree. Will you guys ever be unbiased and impartial? Probably not. Thank god the Lakers ****ing blow ****

[Rndy]

Their defensive system is a joke I'll never understand why they hired D'antoni instead of Jackson or Shaw. I give D'antoni another year until their paying two head coaches to sit on their coach.

[ThaDubs]

No dude he got 2 blocks in the all-star game man watch out #kobebryantdpoy2013

[LoveMeOrHateMe]

So Kobe at 34 years old is still supposed to be an elite defender still? Lol Kobe was tired even ill admit I've never seen Kobe worked in the post as bad as miller worked him that won't happen again, that said his defense hasn't been the same for about 3-4 years now. He can still play great defense when he wants to though btw zn23 loves to talk **** on the lakers mainly Kobe and since he's been beasting it offensively now he has to resort to trash him on defense lol pathetic

[4milesperday]

LOL only Kobe fans have responded. Obviously they disagree. Will you guys ever be unbiased and impartial? Probably not. Thank god the Lakers ****ing blow ****

I'm no Kobe fan, and you sir, have no idea what you're talking about. Defense in the NBA is not a one man show, every good defender is more successful with a help defender. You can only force a player to a bad spot but if there's no one there to block, steal or grab rebound, then all your work is for naught.

[LAKERS 24/7]

Yea his defense was terrible tonight. The play that stands out to me is when Andre Miller easily blew past Kobe for a layup with 4 minutes to go.

[Lakers+Giants]

LMFAO your 1st day back since our bet and you post this. I'm going to have to bet you again.

[zn23]

Age argument doesn't really work. Kobe's athletic enough, and knows how to play defense. The problem is he doesn't give effort on defense, and that's a problem. He played great defense on LeBron when he wanted to. The problem is he never plays at a consistent level. I'm not saying play all out every single play and pick up full court. But c'mon Andre Miller should not be able to get lay-ups on you, especially if you are considered one of the best in the game and a 12 time all-defensive selection.

[mngopher35]

Kobe gambles too often and isn't the best rotational or help defender. He can however play lockdown defense still when needed (he has looked good to me when its clear he is trying to shut down the other teams best guard). Sure his defense is just average or below now but he was a very good defender in his prime. Just because he isn't playing great d in his 17th season or because he got a couple extra awards late in his career doesn't mean hes an overrated defender in his prime, and he hasn't been "dreadful" on D for 4-5 years that's ridiculous.