Comments on: Dutch Courage

By: robd

robd — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:23:22 +0000

i think we clearly need more of these Toby Bryant-Carli Bell analogies.

i’m inclined to agree with KJ, in that Kobe’s bread-and-butter shots are inherently more difficult/flashy than most other players in the league. Not that they need to be, but Kobe just likes doing things that way. Just like he insists on shooting with his left hand when he’s injured, when most players would just STOP SHOOTING. Perplexing, somewhat frustrating, and 100% typical Kobe Bryant.

By: themojojedi

themojojedi — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:33:24 +0000

Fun read Ant, but I don’t really agree.

Firstly, as noted by KJ and CP4, Toby Bryant tends to use something close to the Option B pick-up strategy all-night long, not just at 2am when it’s his last chance to pick-up. This might seem unusual compared to others who trot out Option A all-night, but to him its just Toby doin’ work.

Secondly, if Carli Bell’s friends really cared about her, they wouldn’t have left her alone in the corner of the bar when they knew that Toby was a straight up playa. A good friend would have come over and tried to help stop Toby bedding Carli. In fact whenever Toby tried to pick-up girls like Carli in the past he’d would have 1 or 2 of her friends trying to ward him off. Sometimes in these situations Toby has been known to try for the ultimate Option B: a truly miraculous double pick-up!

By: miki

miki — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 09:45:52 +0000

i remember Kobe passing to Horry in the Spurs series in ‘02, and Horry’s shot rimmed out at the buzzer. If that shot goes in the Lakers most likely four-peat and that would have been Kobe’s greatest ever clutch pass. other ones that come to memory is the pass to D-Fish in OT against Orlando in Game 4. practically sealed the Finals.

and nice read Ant. look forward to more long, rambling posts!

By: chucko

chucko — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:37:25 +0000

@Aimon, that’s the point, if kobe took the safe option instead of the spectacular option, then more of his game winners would go in.

@DJ, good question. I think we don’t hear about those because his teammates tend to miss those assisted final shots.

By: DJ Leon Smith

DJ Leon Smith — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:24:13 +0000

The best example of this was Kobe’s last-second shot in the NBA Finals that was blocked by Hedo – when he was quadruple teamed – and Phil Jackson gave him the “Jordan wouldn’t have taken that shot” grin.

That raises another question – has Kobe ever made a clutch pass? (i.e. Jordan to Paxson/Kerr/Wennington)

By: CP4

CP4 — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 01:15:45 +0000

interesting read. i suspect part of the reason is that Kobe is double/triple teamed so often in those last second situations. but also, the turnaround fadeaway J isn’t exactly a “ridiculous” shot by Kobe’s standards. that’s how he scores 10-15 points every game.

By: aimon

aimon — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 01:14:07 +0000

i don’t care how kobe shoots those game-winners. as long as they go in!

By: KJ

KJ — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:16:44 +0000

I don’t know whether it was intended, but in that analogy Option B is typical Kobe for reasons unrelated to basketball (Colorado). this made me laugh.

all up, appreciate the writings. my view: Kobe’s “bread and butter” shots are inherently more flashy and you could argue “memorable”. hence his game-winners follow suit.

I’m also reminded of a quote from Kobe in his early years, where apparently his dad told him that on the basketball court its not just important to play well, but to “look good” while doing it. the quote may have said “look stylish” I can’t remember, but you can’t deny the aesthetic beauty of Kobe’s game.

By: matt

matt — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:50:37 +0000

great post. really enjoyed it.

Paul Pierce is another guy who sticks to Option A. you rarely see him taking a stupidly difficult clutch shot. just go watch game 5 of the Bulls series. he nails the same clutch shot 4 times in a row!