[Colin Warning] Kobe Bryant Is Defying Age

[Better]

http://stats.nba.com/featured/kobe_defying_age_2013_03_08.html

By Jay Cipoletti

The Lakers' recent surge into playoff contention has been driven, unsurprisingly, by the play of Kobe Bryant. In his 17th year, "Vino" is playing his best basketball when his franchise needs him the most. At least that is storyline -- like wine, Kobe is improving with age.

Is that accurate? Not really. That does not make what Kobe is doing this year any less remarkable, however. His current effective field goal percentage of 51.7% would be a career high if he maintains it through the end of the season. At first glance that might suggest he is playing better than ever, although coming off a career worst 46.2% eFG last year might also suggest this year is a reversion to his career mean of 48.8% eFG.

What you may also notice is how narrow that 17-year range is. For a high usage player to never vary between 46.2% - 51.7% eFG is a testament to that player's consistency. Then consider that these past two seasons represent his shooting book ends. Through his first 15 years, Kobe's eFG never dropped below 46.8% or climbed above 50.3%.

That sustained level of consistent excellence presents itself again and again when looking at Kobe's career. He followed a rookie season in which he posted an Offensive Rating of 103.1 in 16 minutes per game, with a sophomore season 109.5 OffRtg in 26 minutes per game. This season Kobe is producing 107.1 points per 100 possessions -- matching his career median output.

No, Kobe is not getting better with age ... he is defying age. For a player in his 17th season to show no discernible decline in performance, usage or minutes played is unheard of. To understand how rare that consistency triumvirate is, we can compare Kobe with a couple of his fellow '96 draftees.

Allen Iverson and Marcus Camby were taken No. 1 and No. 2, followed shortly after by Ray Allen (5th), Kobe (13th) and Steve Nash (15th). Iverson and Allen provide the best comparison, both for the combination of production, usage and minutes played, and for the context they provide on the impact of age.

After a Usage Rate of 21.1% in his rookie year, Ray Allen's usage hovered between 24.1%-29.3% for a decade. Beginning with the 2007-08 season at the age of 32, his usage dipped to 21.6%. Allen has seen his usage rate drop steadily each year since, bottoming out at 18.6% last year. While his offensive production has remained steady and his defensive production has actually improved, he is shouldering less of the offensive load in nearly 11 fewer minutes per game than he has averaged over his career.

Iverson followed a similar path. After a decade of 40+ minutes per game and eight consecutive seasons of Usage Rates exceeding 32.3%, his usage dropped to 29.1% in 2006-07. That decline was followed by seasons of 26.6%, 26.1% and finally in 2009-10, in his final season at the age of 34, a usage rate of 22.7% in only 30 minutes per game.

Through 62 games Kobe's Usage Rate stands at 31.8%, higher than nine of his previous 16 seasons. He has played more than the 38 minutes per game he is averaging this year in only five seasons, and through March 6th he had logged more minutes than any other player in the league.

At 34 years old, despite playing more minutes and using more possessions than he has averaged over his career, Kobe Bryant is displaying the same offensive efficiency he has shown throughout his outstanding career.

He is not getting better with age. Kobe is stamping his name amongst the all-time greats by not showing any signs of aging at all.

 

[massdagod]

ROFL @ all the players who came in w/ Kobe now either:

a) role players
b) bums
c) out of the league


Shit, Tim Duncan declined like crazy as soon as he hit 30... he's picked it up a little bit though.... . .


this has something to do w/ the PED's, current day supplements and training regiments nowadays and the lack of real physical play in todays game.... ..


Just Wait until Lebron and Durant get to 33, 34... they'll probably be defying age too, somewhat...

Props to Kobe though... I mean so many niggas is straight bums now 3, 4 years after he was Drafted.. . .

 

[Maxxam]

ROFL @ all the players who came in w/ Kobe now either:

a) role players
b) bums
c) out of the league


Shit, Tim Duncan declined like crazy as soon as he hit 30... he's picked it up a little bit though.... . .


this has something to do w/ the PED's, current day supplements and training regiments nowadays and the lack of real physical play in todays game.... ..


Just Wait until Lebron and Durant get to 33, 34... they'll probably be defying age too, somewhat...
Props to Kobe though... I mean so many niggas is straight bums now 3, 4 years after he was Drafted.. . .

 

[Better]

I remember reading back in the early 2000s that Kobe said he was learning how to play the game in a way that would extend his prime.

At the time, I thought that was an interesting idea, I just didn't know it'd turn into this.

What's puzzling is, these guys have access to the same shit Kobe does, and many of them have dropped of significantly.

 

[Better]

Lebron is going to be an interesting case.

Once the lift and speed isn't at a level where he can athletically overwhelm, is he going to start playing like older Charles Barkley?



That shit would probably work, tho'. Barkley used to slowly push his defender under the basket, and it wasn't shit they could do to stop it. That dude was strong as a motherfucker.

 

[idunno]

Flu game

 

[pullcounter]

I remember Kobe saying about 3 years ago... He had one bullet left to fire and that was a change in his diet. Dude had been feasting on soda, mcdonalds, etc. He knew he could squeeze some more years out once he changed his diet.

 

[SIDESHOW]

 

[wiZe]

I remember reading back in the early 2000s that Kobe said he was learning how to play the game in a way that would extend his prime.

At the time, I thought that was an interesting idea, I just didn't know it'd turn into this.

What's puzzling is, these guys have access to the same shit Kobe does, and many of them have dropped of significantly.

Either Kobe is Darth Plagueis the Wise or he's on PEDs. I wouldn't be surprised either way.

 

[King D]

flu game

The g.o.a.t.

 

[LordSinister]

Either Kobe is Darth Plagueis the Wise or he's on PEDs. I wouldn't be surprised either way.

He's a Sith Lord and on PED's.

 

[wiZe]

He's a Sith Lord and on PED's.

 

[rangerman]

cough...cough..HGH..cough...cough. Not illegal until next year. Nigga was garbage during the olympics.

 

[kmillz]

 

[Amajorfucup]

Shit, Tim Duncan declined like crazy as soon as he hit 30... he's picked it up a little bit though.... . .

How do you guys constantly just make shit up and not only post it as if it were fact but as if no one knows it was pulled out of your ass? The funny thing is Duncan should be the one referenced as age defying not Kobe. The guy is 37 and having a near identical statistical production and efficiency as he did in his prime. Also, when he hit 30 he did NOT "decline like crazy", in fact he had arguably his best season as a pro and led the Spurs to a title that year.

 

[Better]

How do you guys constantly just make shit up and not only post it as if it were fact but as if no one knows it was pulled out of your ass? The funny thing is Duncan should be the one referenced as age defying not Kobe. The guy is 37 and having a near identical statistical production and efficiency as he did in his prime. Also, when he hit 30 he did NOT "decline like crazy", in fact he had arguably his best season as a pro and led the Spurs to a title that year.

So, you're going to act like it's the age, but the mileage on the body?

If it's not, why are so many players that came in with Kobe not playing like they did in their primes?

...and if you read the article, it's more than just the efficiency being taken into account.

 

[Amajorfucup]

So, you're going to act like it's the age, but the mileage on the body?

If it's not, why are so many players that came in with Kobe not playing like they did in their primes?

...and if you read the article, it's more than just the efficiency being taken into account.

Im not "acting" like anything. Im saying that its ironic and hilarious that the one guy used as an example of a declining player is the one guy that should actually be used as the case study for the OP. Im also calling out a guy for flat out lying.

As for your mileage argument.. Valid point. But are we to ignore that Duncan played 4years of college, pro for 16years, has logged starters minutes from day one, and plays a position which is traditionally harder on the body?? Is that not mileage as well?

 

[cole256]

Disagree with the harder on the body part. And four years of college isn't really anything on the body really. Especially when you're bigger and better than everybody you're playing against. Not saying Duncan isn't doing his thing but I'm not going to say it's more impressive than what Kobe is doing either

 

[Ceenote]

 

[Quek9]

 

[Amajorfucup]

Disagree with the harder on the body part. And four years of college isn't really anything on the body really. Especially when you're bigger and better than everybody you're playing against. Not saying Duncan isn't doing his thing but I'm not going to say it's more impressive than what Kobe is doing either

You dont have to agree with facts in order for them to be facts. Big men have more wear and tear on the body, and their body types dont hold up as well as smaller guards. Their entire existence in the paint is typically nonstop banging on other big bodies (especially in Duncans case), establishing position through contact, boxing out, rebounding, help defense and shotblocking. Also, the point about his college play was a direct response to the "mileage" argument. You cannot have a honest discussion on that without taking into account the fact that he has 4years college along with 16years pro. That by definition falls under the "mileage" category.


Also cole, no a separate but related issue, are you now ready to concede our KG/TD argument from 5years ago? Time is the best teller of truth.

 

[massdagod]

How do you guys constantly just make shit up and not only post it as if it were fact but as if no one knows it was pulled out of your ass? The funny thing is Duncan should be the one referenced as age defying not Kobe. The guy is 37 and having a near identical statistical production and efficiency as he did in his prime. Also, when he hit 30 he did NOT "decline like crazy", in fact he had arguably his best season as a pro and led the Spurs to a title that year.

1) Duncan is 36, not 37

2) I said he declined once "he hit 30" that was just an estimation...(it was actually 29)

3) I said "up until this year" meaning, he picked it up a little (but not by much)

from 29 to 35, Duncans numbers are:
17ppg, 10rebs, 3assts, 1.7blks

from 21 to 28, Duncans numbers are:
22ppg, 12rebs, 3assts, 2.5blks

Duncans usages has been Way down since he hit 29 aswell as his Winshares......

in the 2011 playoffs, he averaged a horrible 12ppg.... and a couple of regular seasons ago, he was averaging 15 and 13ppg for the entire seasons, respectively and wasnt even voted in by the coaches in the ASG. (this is one of the Many reasons I would pick Bird Over him, Bird Never Fell far)..

ROFL @ Duncan age defying and not Kobe.

 

[curryshotta]

man if they ever find PED usage its gonna be the Phoenix Suns. Their medical staff is straight out of Hogwarts.

Oden needs to go and play for the Suns

 

[D-TOWN REP]

Tmac didn't take care of his body

 

[Better]

Tmac didn't take care of his body

Just another extremely talented, lazy cat.

 

[Amajorfucup]

1) Duncan is 36, not 37

2) I said he declined once "he hit 30" that was just an estimation...(it was actually 29)

3) I said "up until this year" meaning, he picked it up a little (but not by much)

from 29 to 35, Duncans numbers are:
17ppg, 10rebs, 3assts, 1.7blks

from 21 to 28, Duncans numbers are:
22ppg, 12rebs, 3assts, 2.5blks

Duncans usages has been Way down since he hit 29 aswell as his Winshares......

in the 2011 playoffs, he averaged a horrible 12ppg.... and a couple of regular seasons ago, he was averaging 15 and 13ppg for the entire seasons, respectively and wasnt even voted in by the coaches in the ASG. (this is one of the Many reasons I would pick Bird Over him, Bird Never Fell far)..

ROFL @ Duncan age defying and not Kobe.

1) He turns 37 this season

2) You said what you said and you were wrong. Further, how can he decline at 29, yet have his best year at 30 on his way to title number 4?

3)There was never any "pick up" he had knee and plantar fasciitis issues he played through but in terms of a declining skillset. No.

At 29, his mpg was at 34.8. At 32 his mpg was at 33.7. How is this "way" down? Again, you continue to make shit up.

Productivity and efficiency he has been consistent throughout his career with the exception of the year he suffered from plantar fasciitis and knee issues which limited his munites. That fact should be acknowledged in this discussion. Certainly if we are gonna turn a blind eye to the years Kobe was horribly inefficient and only managed to log big numbers due to taking 25shots a game while shooting sub .450

 

[playahaitian]

man if they ever find PED usage its gonna be the Phoenix Suns. Their medical staff is straight out of Hogwarts.

Oden needs to go and play for the Suns

^this

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[playahaitian]

Kobe Bryant Received Revolutionary Knee Therapy By Same German Doctor That Treated The Pope


Kobe Bryant may be the most competitive basketball player in the NBA. So it should come as no surprise the Lakers star is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain his edge.

According to ESPN The Magazine, the same physician that once treated Pope John Paul II performed a treatment on Bryant's knee in Dusseldorf, Germany. Dr. Peter Wehling, an influential orthopedist, claims to have a breakthrough procedure to repair aging joints.

Bryant’s blood was reportedly treated to attack inflammation and then cultured with chemicals before being re-injected in his arthritic right knee.

Wehling, clearly not lacking in confidence, told the magazine, “I am the only one to have found a way to cure arthritis.”

While similar to blood doping, the procedure is not considered illegal according to NBA rules. The key difference seems to be that Kobe’s therapy was performed to treat an ailment, whereas blood doping is usually performed on athletes already at full strength.

 

[LordSinister]

Timmy doesn't play near the number of Minutes Kobe does.

And as far as big men, Kareem played into his 40's with a similar body type.

 

[Better]

I say forget about comparing Duncan to Kobe.

Tim Duncan obviously haven't been prime Duncan in a while, and his minutes are down significantly.

Not to mention, Kobe's style of play, to say the least, makes his continued high level of play more impressive, relative to Duncan's.

Kobe is still shaking, baking, shooting fall-aways from deep, and dunking on people.

Duncan is a giant, who can rely on his height, and that nice J he has.

What can Kobe rely on? The average player in the league is his height, and his overall athleticism ain't nothing crazy, by NBA standards. Well, I do think he is VERY agile. Not Manu agile, but exceptionally so.

 

[massdagod]

1) He turns 37 this season

2) You said what you said and you were wrong. Further, how can he decline at 29, yet have his best year at 30 on his way to title number 4?

3)There was never any "pick up" he had knee and plantar fasciitis issues he played through but in terms of a declining skillset. No.

from 29 to 35, Duncans numbers are:
17ppg, 10rebs, 3assts, 1.7blks

from 21 to 28, Duncans numbers are:
22ppg, 12rebs, 3assts, 2.5blks



Duncans usages has been Way down since he hit 29 aswell as his Winshares......

in the 2011 playoffs, he averaged a horrible 12ppg.... and a couple of regular seasons ago, he was averaging 15 and 13ppg for the entire seasons, respectively and wasnt even voted in by the coaches in the ASG.

He fell off... He DIDNT Maintain the Same Level of consistency... PERIOD.

Facts are Facts, Stats are Stats.

At 29, his mpg was at 34.8. At 32 his mpg was at 33.7. How is this "way" down? Again, you continue to make shit up.

Productivity and efficiency he has been consistent throughout his career with the exception of the year he suffered from plantar fasciitis and knee issues which limited his munites. That fact should be acknowledged in this discussion. Certainly if we are gonna turn a blind eye to the years Kobe was horribly inefficient and only managed to log big numbers due to taking 25shots a game while shooting sub .450

Guess what, that happens when u get OLD... theres nothing "Age Defying" about Letting injury in your later years fuck up your Minutes, Numbers, Play and Production... thats the direct Opposite of "Age Defying"...

Engage your Brain.

 

[MongoSlade23]

Gullible.

 

[curryshotta]

Kobe Bryant Received Revolutionary Knee Therapy By Same German Doctor That Treated The Pope


Kobe Bryant may be the most competitive basketball player in the NBA. So it should come as no surprise the Lakers star is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain his edge.

According to ESPN The Magazine, the same physician that once treated Pope John Paul II performed a treatment on Bryant's knee in Dusseldorf, Germany. Dr. Peter Wehling, an influential orthopedist, claims to have a breakthrough procedure to repair aging joints.

Bryant’s blood was reportedly treated to attack inflammation and then cultured with chemicals before being re-injected in his arthritic right knee.

Wehling, clearly not lacking in confidence, told the magazine, “I am the only one to have found a way to cure arthritis.”

While similar to blood doping, the procedure is not considered illegal according to NBA rules. The key difference seems to be that Kobe’s therapy was performed to treat an ailment, whereas blood doping is usually performed on athletes already at full strength.

I wouldnt have said this

 

[Better]

I wouldnt have said this

lol.

The way I see it, it ain't cheating unless it's illegal.

Not to mention, others have had the same procedure, and it didn't help them nearly as much.

I hope Kobe ain't on PEDs.

I know "someone" who played on Kobe's AAU team back in the mid-90s, and he told me Kobe was telling everyone, back then, how much better he was going to be than Jordan.

You mix that with his portrayal in 'Mad Game', and I can't say he doesn't have the personality type to cheat to achieve his goals.

I hope not, but...

...How you put up an all-time best staline in NBA history in your 17th season.

 

[wiZe]

Kobe on that Lance Armstrong. If I were him, I'd pop pills on the bench...whip out syringes during timeouts...whatever it takes. No one seems to care that he's doping anyway.