Experts' question: Kobe's accomplishment
ESPN.com
All Kobe Bryant did in Game 4 of the NBA Finals was take over after Shaquille O'Neal fouled out by scoring eight points in overtime, including the final field goal of the game on a follow shot with 5.9 seconds remaining.
Bryant's performance had people talking about historical significance after the game, so we figured we'd discuss the topic with ESPN's experts, who also got to see Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in some of their memorable Finals performances. So, we asked our experts if they thought Kobe's performance stacked up with some of the other greats. Here's what they said:
Does Kobe Bryant's Game 4 performance compare with Jordan, Magic and some of the other great nights in NBA Finals history?
Bucher |
ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher
Kobe's performance is very much comparable. This is the greatest stage in the NBA, and without the leading scorer, rebounder and league MVP, Kobe took over -- even though he's only 21. And he is rarely in this situation because so much goes through Shaq. As Kobe said he has thought about this for a while, and now realized those dreams. Kobe's been building to this. The game-winner he hit over Jason Kidd in Phoenix, the pass to Ron Harper for the winner in Portland, he has been taking baby steps, and this is the pinnacle. I imagine a lot more is to come. Another element so comparable is when Kobe said he knew the game wouldn't be won in the first quarter, or the third. He was saving it for the end. He understands the psychology and flow to the game, but it's even rarer for that player to execute it. |
Aldridge |
ESPN reporter David Aldridge
It's too early to rank it, but you can certainly compare what Kobe did at the end of other games on this stage. It was a great performance given the circumstances and the fact he was playing hurt. It's hard for me to compare him favorably with Magic or Michael Jordan's night with Utah when he was sick. Over time, it might be viewed as Magic's 42-point game in 1980 in Philadelphia, since Magic was a rookie, and the game that established him as a star player. |
Carter |
NBA analyst Fred Carter
I think with greatness, it's about doing it repeatedly. This was Kobe's first test. Michael, Magic, Bird, they did it over and over again. The potential is there for Kobe, as long as the iron isn't unkind. It's frightening that he's 21. Kobe has seen a lot of Jordan films. As players, we all copy things, but he took it a step further. In any business you copy what works. People will remember this game -- it's the Finals. The big guy fouls out, a lot is on the line, hostile environment, etc. For him to step forward, Kobe re-birthed himself from that Utah debacle. It's a clean slate, and he's off to a great start. |
Jackson |
NBA 2Night's Jason Jackson
I think it's difficult to apply a "best of all-time" until your time is up. Michael, Magic, Larry, Wilt, Jerry West, they did it time and time again. Kobe needs a couple more runs at this. The performances like Game 4 are necessary to get to the end. Kobe has wowed us, but never like Game 4. He showed fearlessness and a lot of key attributes to become one of the best players of all-time. On an isolated performance, Game 4 can be labeled "I can throw the team on my back." |
Carlesimo |
ESPN Radio's P.J. Carlesimo
I'm not good at quantifying things on a historical level, but if it's possible to have all that attention and recognition and still say Kobe did all that. You have to step back and appreciate what he's done. To be so spectacular, so quickly, it's hard to overstate what he's done and nothing can diminish it. He's just 21. Whatever a superstar is, he went on the stage and did that, so you have to put him there. Had Reggie's shot gone, we'd be talking about him today. Had Shaq not fouled out, then maybe it's his five minutes. When Kobe got the opportunity, he seized it. |
Lawrence |
ESPN.com columnist Mitch Lawrence
Like Phil Jackson said, he has seen Michael Jordan do things like this many times. And Kobe has many more games to play. He did it all, and he's only 21. Jordan didn't even get to the Finals until he was 27. For Kobe to do it on this stage is just unreal. He is mature beyond his years. And he took a quantum leap in not only his basketball this year, but his maturity. Somebody had to take over, and he did. Magic, Bird, Michael, they had their moments. This is Kobe's first moment, and he's much younger. |
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