The Sports Rumors

Chad Ford’s Analysis - Couldn’t be More Wrong

I was reading an ESPN Insider article the other day written by Chad Ford. It was talking about the Kobe Bryant situation and he broke it down into four questions.

1. Does Kobe have too much mileage?
2. Is Kobe really the best player in the NBA?
3. Is Kobe a winner?
4. Is Kobe worth it?

As good of a writer as Ford is, I was very surprised to see how wrong he was on many of the points he made. I’ve selected portions of his article (the highlighted) and posted my response/argument to them. Have a look.

Does Kobe have too much mileage?

It’s not only the years that concern some teams, but also the minutes. Counting NBA regular-season and playoff games, Bryant has logged 33,576 minutes — 918 games of about 37 minutes each, in just 11-plus seasons.

This is a very valid point because it is no secret that Kobe has racked up a lot of minutes in his eleven seasons. Not only that, he plays extremely hard every night, more so than a lot of other players. His mileage would be a concern but you also have to realize that no one trains as hard or takes care of their body as much as Kobe does. While other NBA players are in Aruba enjoying the offseason, he’s at the gym getting stronger, healthier, and keeping his body in top shape. Therefore, if I’m a general manager, I’m not going to worry too much about his mileage because I know the guy is thirsty for winning a title and he’ll do everything possible to stay in the best shape he can to achieve his goal.

Is Kobe really the best player in the NBA?

For instance, Bryant has never led the league in John Hollinger’s PER (player efficiency rating), which combines a player’s stats and percentages into a single measure. Last season, Bryant was well behind Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade.

To put his numbers into historical perspective, his career-high PER of 27.97 in 2005-06 ranks No. 42 all-time in the league. Several current players have posted a higher PER than Kobe did in his best season, including Wade (twice), LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki (twice), Shaquille O’Neal (six times), Tracy McGrady and Kevin Garnett (twice).

Here’s where I start to disagree with Ford. What the hell do John Hollinger’s ratings mean? Who are the other 40+ players ranked ahead of Kobe on this list? I’d LOVE to see who they are. I bet Antawn Jamison or Udonis Haslem is on there. I must have missed the memo on when John Hollinger’s rankings became relevant. Dirk and Wade were better in those rankings than Kobe; so what? Dirk was ousted by an eight seed in the first round! Wade was swept in the first round; in the EAST! Those rankings are so ridiculous and they take nothing but pure numbers into consideration. I am 100% positive that Michael Jordan would never have been atop Hollinger’s efficiency rankings but does that mean he was not the best player in the game? Tracy McGrady has twice had higher efficiency rankings than Kobe. Well, first off, it’d be nice to see Tmac play a whole season for once. And secondly, we all know how “efficient” Tmac has been in the playoffs. Shaquille O’neal is going to be ahead of Kobe for obvious reasons. When you take 15 shots a game from 2 feet away, you’re bound to have high field goal percentages. I talked about this in depth with my friend last year and how ridiculous these rankings are. Here’s something for you to look up John Hollinger. Look up how many players in the league are double and triple teamed with no solid, consistent second option. Then tell me how many lead the league in scoring and take their teams to the playoffs in the western conference. Tracy McGrady has Yao Ming. Dwayne Wade has Shaquille O’neal. Kevin Garnett, Dirk and Shaq are all big men so they have a much easier time scoring than a guard does. I agree with Lebron being more efficient but that is it. There is no question that Kobe is the best player in the game, at this moment in time, and has been for the past several years. So you’re wrong to question that Chad Ford.

How does Bryant’s postseason prowess compare to Nowitzki’s? In the playoffs, Dirk has more points per game, more rebounds per game, more blocked shots per game, a higher field-goal percentage, a higher 3-point field-goal percentage and a higher free-throw percentage. In the past three seasons, Nowitzki has led his team to the NBA Finals, while Bryant hasn’t won a single playoff series.

Wow Dirk has more blocks and rebounds than Kobe?! No way! I would have never imagined that! I wonder if..if..he also has more blocks per game than Michael Jordan!  Seriously, are you really comparing the rebounding and blocked shots of a 7 footer to a guard? Making that point is as stupid as saying that Ladanian Tomlinson has more yards per carry than Jeff George. And please don’t get me started on the supporting cast difference. I’m not knocking Dirk by any means but lets not kid ourselves, 10 out of 10 people will take Kobe over Dirk any day of the week.

Is Kobe a winner?

If LeBron were to suddenly be available in a trade, does anyone believe that after six months the Cavs would still be waiting to receive a serious offer? Or 10 serious offers?

Umm, if Lebron had a no trade clause and said he would only consider being traded to three teams? If Lebron had stubborn, idiotic management who traded an All Star (Caron Butler) for Kwame Brown and all they have left to show for Shaq is Lamar Odom? Then yes, he would be still waiting to receive a serious offer. Don’t kid yourself and think that every team in the league minus the Spurs and Cavs wouldn’t take a hard look at trading for Kobe if he didn’t have such a small list. The Wizards would love to send Arenas and change for Kobe, but he’s not interested in Washington. New York would trade the Statue of Liberty for Kobe, but he’s not interested. Charlotte, New Orleans, and other bottom feeders would trade all their young talent for Kobe. Golden State, Sacramento, the Clippers, even the Rockets would trade for Kobe. Don’t sit here and tell me that more than 10 teams aren’t interested in the best guard in the league. Can you honestly say that the Rockets wouldn’t send Tmac for Kobe in a heart beat if that was in any way possible? Please.

Is Kobe worth it?

By then our eyes and hearts will likely have caught up with what the numbers and logic are already telling us: Kobe Bryant is a great player, but in a team sport like basketball he lacks the ability, on his own, to deliver an NBA championship.

Jordan didn’t win without Pippen. Shaq didn’t win without Kobe or Wade. David Robinson didn’t win without Duncan. Hakeem didn’t win without Clyde. No one has ever won alone so I’m tired of hearing people knock Kobe and say he can’t win alone. Name someone who has. Ewing? Barkley? Malone? Stockton? Kobe has his list of teams because he wants to go to a place that will provide him the assistance he needs to reach and win the NBA finals. That is his admission of not being able to do it alone. Why else is he not interested in going to New York or Philly?

Chad Ford is a great writer and has always provided good reading material. However, he was really off base with his analysis of the Kobe situation and someone had to call him out on it.