Kobe Bryant's MVP Season: Defense Section

Kobe Bryant's MVP Season ON Defense. More Videos to come. Props to LD2K and The Lakers Nation

[@TheGamerDiZ]

Very underrated defender, on ball and help. I personally think he's one of the better off ball defenders. People sleep on Kobe's defense. Anyone remember that stretch when he had to defend a series of all star point guards? The western conference was stacked, with all star guards. Kobe was the only one who could guard them. I'm talking Michael Conley, Russel Westbrook, Stephen Curry ect. at 34 no less. That was the year of the Achilles tear for those who want reference. Plays both sides of the ball, a real MVP.

[@brandonreed3670]

+TheDudeintheBlueHoodie He was still a good on ball defender that season, but his off-ball defense was positively terrible that season. He fell asleep every time his man didn't have the ball. But yes, his on-ball defense was solid.

[@allakatalla464643]

+TheDudeintheBlueHoodie man kobe has been 12 times in the all nba defensive team...no really underrated :-D

[@smh02]

agreed think hes pretty close to jordan, but thats what separates jordan and kobe. they both have 2 main differences, kobe marginally better 3 point shooter, jordan marginally better defender, basically exact equals everywhere else. kobe is a really great defender though

[@brandonreed3670]

smh Kobe was a much better 3pt shooter than MJ was, and by the same token I would say that MJ was a much better defender. Kobe is a great on ball defender, but he could be very inconsistent off the ball. I'm sure that there were years when Kobe's defense rivaled MJ's, but I think MJ was much more consistent overall.

[@smh02]

Brandon Reed i dont think its a matter of skill or ability i think its just they had different focus, jordans focus was on and off the ball on defense, kobes was scoring and usually on ball defense, but as you can see this season easily rivals a jordan season on defense

[@CrazyFoo501]

For a Superstar Kobe sure gets called for a lot of fouls on clean blocks

[@EmmanuelStalling]

Because he swings at the ball instead of just getting a hand on it. Refs dont like that.

[@jasonbourne1746]

Emmanuel Stalling ya but that's no excuse for the refs to call bad calls. they should be trained better

[@raverking6]

Emmanuel Stalling when you are going up for a shot, the hand is part of the ball, after you release the ball though it will be called foul when you touch the hand. refs should know better.

[@EmmanuelStalling]

Rave Setsuna Easy to second guess the refs from a sofa, hard to see the angles when you're on the floor and things are happening fast. I know, it's been said, but it needed to be said again.

[@raverking6]

Emmanuel Stalling exactly, no one is superhuman enough to see a professional basketball in slow motion, that's why they install the slow motion replays

[@maxschlepzig641]

True fans of the game know Kobe has 4 MVPS: 03, 06, 07, 08. The fact Steve Nash has 2 MVPs and Dirk has one, says it all. Around the end of Jordan retiring from the Bulls, the MVP almost never went to the best player in the league, which it does in almost every other sport. Also people never point to the fact Kobe has played in arguably the hardest conference ever in the NBA throughout his whole career. Had Kobe's prime when Shaq left started somewhere on a team in the Eastern Conference, he would have earned those MVPs he was robbed out of.

[@akshaybharadwaj2208]

MVP ain't gonna be given to the best anymore back then it was truly the best and not based off of hype or commercials or etcetera. Kobe deserved way more. When knowing these facts, I also hope true fans of the game understand that MVPs don't determine how great a player is.

[@dash4800]

I'm ok with Nash having the first one, but Kobe should easily have 3. Dirk should never have got it that year. and Nash should definitely not have got it the year before. Those were arguably Kobe's two best seasons. And he was dragging one of the worst teams ever with him to the playoffs. Its a complete joke that a guy who may go down as the second best player ever only has 1 MVP. Even if you look at all three players and say their stats aren't enough to say who was better, Kobe was all NBA first team defense every year!

[@AnonYmous-gj1hw]

Not 03. Kobe and Shaq only won 50 games with Phil Jackson coaching. I think KG should have won it over Duncan for the regular season. He led the Wolves in 5/5 categories and got 51 wins in the West with a weak cast. Not 07. They were only 1 game over 0.500

[@allakatalla464643]

+Anon Ymous well....2003 Kobe had: -12 3s in a game(NBA record) -9 straight games 40 or more points (more then MJ) -amazing game at MSG(46 points,legendary dunk,crazy shots ) -55 points vs MJ(last match-up between each others...like in 1987 when MJ scores 56 vs Dr.J on their last game vs each others) amazing come back game vs Dallas(kobe scores 25 in the 4th plus the game winner shot) -several game winner shots(Memphis,Dallas,Phoenix) -he averaged 30-7-6-2 -he played most of the first part of the Regular Season without Shaq. -He was sensational

[@TheRealPunisher]

+Salvatore Mazzamuto he wont reply to your post. nigga is wrong af.

[@Dre-xc2no]

Heart, desire, and intelligence are what has made Kobe SO great on both ends of the floor.

[@dtaejtv9280]

kobe deserves more than juss 1 mvp in his prime 05-07 steve nash won mvp really shame

[@coolsim999]

Dude I don't know how he had 35 ppg in 06 and Nash won.

[@allthatjeff]

coolsim999 dropping 35pts doesn't mean he deserved mvp lmao

[@dtaejtv9280]

it wasnt juss ppg look at PER ast reb he carried that team steve nash already had a good team kobe was clearly the most valuable player of his over any other player know basketball

[@allthatjeff]

Deontae Jones other players out played kobe like wade but yea that year he did deserve it but i think people look too much into the points.

[@dtaejtv9280]

look at the stats not juss points look at his PER

[@rottendick7547]

Most blocks was came from his left hand. Damn!

[@bruhbrah485]

+RottenDick You're supposed to mirror your opponent on defense.

[@tremain7056]

Bruh Brah That's a skill most players don't have

[@lebronblew5finalsnottop5ne22]

RottenDick that's how you play defense Left hand contest on a right handed shooter So fundamentally sound Unbelievable

[@absolute618]

1:55 Kobe has been watching film of TD for years, the way he timed his shot from that far back is not a fluke.

[@smh02]

true, kobe would be the one to do that

[@eastwood1026]

Perfect timing. Wasn’t even close to a goal tend

[@yuxuanchen5107]

I watched Harden's defense and come watch this lol...NBA these days and back then. I will stop watching NBA once Kobe retires

[@nasaman23]

I came here from harden's spectacular defense too and it was hilarious

[@yuxuanchen5107]

***** lol you dont understand, feel whatever u wanna feel about me because i dont care

[@dollaboi103]

true story

[@sswise12121212]

offensively kobe is a little better lmfao are you serious kobe is light years ahead of harden kobe is a top ten goat watch your mouth

[@kobenottop1003]

The NBA is better off without Kobe's selfish style of play

[@thezhybro6983]

I miss Kobe

[@charliecaballero1977]

KB is the most competitive and handworking athlete ever.......

[@fawazza]

Kobe's blocks are beast when he wears that arm sleeve.

[@zalltime]

4:10 what an absolute monster.

[@Yayrel]

No one can ever play and love the game the way Kobe did.

[@leaverb]

Look at Kobe in his prime, guards literally couldn't get past him. His offense is so famous that no one realizes how good of a defender he really is

[@dangam3642]

This video shows how much the NBA hates Kobe Bryant

[@XxxxShadowGamerxxxX]

At 6'6" to be a able to block shots from bigger guys up front is a great feat.

[@raymondflores1036]

Kobe d great..NBA will never be exciting as it is without kobe...

[@SmooveSav]

Kobe is a 9x NBA All defensive first team and 3x defensive second team selection. In 16 seasons Kobe has earned defensive honors in 12 of them and he wasnt really given consistent playing time and starts until his third season.Take away the 04-05 season and basically every season Kobe Bryant can compete healthy he is recognized as one of the best defenders in the league. He is one of the most skilled players to ever play the game

[@Boseman7]

kobe is the most underated defensive player in the leauge. If he decided to have a mindset of wanting to win defensive player of the year he could do it EVERY YEAR! he just has to reserve his energy for offense.

[@Kila_Kam82]

Kobe's a great defender.

[@justina5688]

Kobe was the best player in the league multiple times but in total he should have one 2 mvps instead of one. When he was averaging 35 a game yea he was probably the best player on the earth but it's hard to give the MVP to a player on an 8th seed team. Only time I felt Kobe was truly robbed was when Nash won his second MVP. I love Nash too don't get me wrong but he was never truly the best player in the league those 2 years or through any year during his career. Shaq should've taken Nash's 1st MVP and Kobe should've gotten Nash's 2nd. Kobe only won MVP because, although yea he earned it, it was mainly because the league fucked up and realized this is going to be a top 10 player in NBA history and we haven't given him an MVP. Technically during kobes MVP season Chris Paul had all around better numbers.

[@minzjiao4735]

I will miss him...I used to cut class to watch his game, he brought the game to another level, the intensity and passion he had will always impact other people. OGs showed no love, Like KG and KB. Not like these days young players have friends all over the league and playing soft. kinda miss the old time right now.

[@23867488]

NO matter his block attempt is a clean block or a foul, you can clearly see Kobe's determination to win a battle

[@AtomicVaultBoy]

Kobe is almost 36 years old and had some severe injuries, do not expect too much from him. He already had his time.

[@filimongalogavros5301]

Heart . Desire . Intelligence .

[@tavilivelife]

Great 9 minutes of footage 🙌

[@BBAller1169]

for all you ppl complaining about fouling, just to be clear, the hand is considered to be a part of the ball when its in contact with the ball

[@GlazyyHD]

i've noticed, this is what drives him to the championship, DEFENSE

[@austin78993]

agreed. he's a pretty clutch defender.

[@josephmacias8340]

Best player from like 04-2012

[@Dexter-zi7hs]

I don't understand about the dislike. People don't like the game now. they don't like good defense? Even in LBJ block highlights I wouldn't dislike that. I like good defense highlights. People that dislike this are just in denial about kobe's defensive talents.

[@GaigeGrosskreutzsMissingBicep]

you are crazy. kobe goes hard on defense every single possession, especially when he was younger.

[@BlanknWhite]

Kobe's defense isn't about stealing or blocking, it's his ability to be able to lock down a player.

[@tigeranthony]

After watching this I feel really bad for Yao and Duncan, the Mamba was RUTHLESS!

[@deanuts237]

i hate not seeing kobe swat some people this season cos of his knee and all. when he decides to go up for a block, you know he's gunna connect and its gunna be good. one of the most emphatic shot blockers.

[@parolin6557]

I miss you... Kobe

[@IMBATMANANDIMCOOL]

Kobe is ambidextrous.

[@hihihihihello]

I might be the only guy within a thousand miles who watches defensive highlight videos on half speed playback.

[@dilan4me]

kobe shoulda won at least 4 mvp he was the best in the nba for most of his career

[@AbdurR23]

I'm a LBJ fan and I came to witness a great defender in Kobe.

[@andyorz]

hes like "right kobe, im goin to wait for u on the other end.."

[@BlanknWhite]

Kobe isn't much of a steal and block defender, but he is a deadly perimeter and lock on defender.

[@nicholasporteron]

This is all in one season!

[@emmanuel94e]

TMUDE = The Most Underrated Defender Ever

[@GMPro24]

fuckin love watching kobe play...hes a winner, not out there to make freinds!

[@blacky2600]

love how lamar odom flys by at 2:40

[@wongalvin213]

Anyone else notice that Kobe is blocking those shots with his left hand? Kobe's right handed but blocks shots with his left hand? That my friends, is called dexterity.

[@filimongalogavros5301]

The Dark Mamba .

[@jamallove7361]

Kobe Bryant is top 3 perimeter defenders all time. and best scorer of all time. Just an amazing talent.

[@unbiasedbasketballstan3221]

Kobe didn’t get a lot of calls when he got fouled but got called for a lot of fouls when it was clean.

[@jerm522]

2:33 just vicious!!

[@yhzza9931]

My only greatest of all time Kobe.

[@itsmerobinyi]

you guys should try to block like kobe is here... not jumping straight up all the time but swiping it at a horizontal level... it works . ty kobe, mj, and pippen

[@jagrit49]

this should be the "blocks" section. much more to defense than just blocks

[@austin78993]

@NEL0061 agreed. when he wants to be, he is the best on ball defender in the league. he plays defense to get stops not to get stats. thats how it should be

[@kushnugz]

Kobe got MVP chants In Boston. Nuff said

[@nodsefoy]

@NEL0061 This is one of those times when the difference between 'then' and 'than' is very important.

[@BettaWithToast]

@tntrocksbb Yes that's so true, people like to look at the stats blocks and steals, but you don't get stats for smothering a player all night long on the perimeter. By the way just to toss it out there look at Kobe reject guys eye to eye even the Centers, other players not naming any names, only blocks shots from behind a guy when he doesn't expect it, it takes more shot blocking skills to block when the offensive player is attacking the defender with strong dunk attempts.

[@saltypeppers5027]

I like to think of it as this, He plays good defense when he has to

[@elcid008]

@AuthenticBlaze Because he's trying to avoid unnecessary injuries on his right hand. and we all know he has numerous injuries on his right hand. but as great as he is, he can use both hands. and that's what great players are, they can use both hands offensively and defensively.

[@D00dlejumpman52]

Loved the Halo music in the intro.

[@SteezyZ]

We need another video just for his steals!

[@georgemallon5228]

Kobe blocks Yao and Shaq, many times. Just amazing. Miss you Mamba.

[@doesitreallymatter23]

Loving the Dark Knight music.

[@thtasiankidchao]

Kobe has that shoot first mentality that's why he doesn't have as many assists, but i rather watch him play that way lol more entertaining

[@kob3nme]

So true.

[@mrshizno91]

Oh shit Halo # soundtrack intro!!!! lol cool vid!

[@SonOfGome]

Kobe's left arm stretches to the size of MJs in Space Jam.

[@dnd1949]

kobe not only offense but as much in defense :)

[@Matt-fg6xq]

Damn on the last Bonzi Wells block I though it was a hard foul at first then I saw he got a lot of ball, impressive

[@freesuraj]

if you have noticed, most of Kobe's blocks are with his left hand

[@IamInsaneFromEarth1218]

good shot blocker doesn't mean good defender but i agree kobe is 1 of the best defender in the nba history

[@unablezhy]

missing the block on Deron Williams but nice vid

[@FANJG24]

Dude Kobe is living proof that tough shots can go in. Like I said before, the ONLY way to stop players like him, LeBron, and others is to BLOCK their shot. Blocking a shot is the only possible way to insure that the ball won't go in. And if you think all Kobe does is go for blocks watch this video: watch?v=QBu28UwDzps

[@DMeloMan]

You win by scoring, but you lose by getting scored on. Kobe don't like losing.

[@brask310]

the hand is part of the ball, some of those fouls were more likely blocks, than fouls. but even so, good to see it was still included in the video. and not because of those damn referees

[@TheBgboy11]

@thug8200 he does that because the shooter is going up with his left so if he is across him his left hand is closer to the shooters right.

[@aznlilboi1021]

@AuthenticBlaze when I do get blocks, I notice its with my left hand more than my right. Its kinda like a boxer's jab, the left hand has more reach than your right. Plus your opponents rights is your left. So against a southpaw you would block more with the right... Thats my theory...

[@kglin]

great video

[@frankm4183]

Amazing and exciting!

[@riley1160]

Shotblocks are awesome and stuff but i wish you'd show more of his lockdown defence too. Good defence isn't all shotblocking. And as much of a kobe fan i am, he shouldn't always swat the ball away. He should just raise his hand out straight to stop the ball and have it fall right to him after contact

[@gan4Akira4]

riley1160 He isn't only shotblocker Also, He is Lockdown defender

[@nealogz]

7:14 is the best!!!

[@PlayerPunisher]

Looking for Steph Curry mvp defense highlights "no results"

[@keev9882]

+Pedro Gonzalez lol like warriors play defense...once they fought a team that plays physical defense like 2008 celtics they will get expose..todays nba is weak

[@dangam3642]

The Celtics were not physical, the just played dirty. A better match up for the Warriors would be the 2005 Pistons.

[@shin-te1xr]

Da Ga know nothing about basket ball rofl. i hate celtics, but they were great on their D. get it right.

[@dangam3642]

J There defense was great, don't get me wrong, but many times they played dirty.

[@zarateciddkast9329]

it just made me laugh so much when shaq sprinted after Kobe blocked his shot ! . he didn't wanna hear a word from Kobe !! lol haha

[@mckwesi1]

i liked this video, even though im a lebron fan, thats all i wanted to prove

[@hallokity123]

at 1:13 what game was that? they had the retro jersey but also the short shorts and everything haha

[@DotEqualP]

@NEL0061 agreed man, defense is more than just shot blocking.

[@patrickmangabat]

"Nothing but B-A-L-L"

[@MrSodaBelly]

6:43 That goes for everyone. including SHAQ!

[@NiceAndBlue15]

@ilostmyaccount11111 I totally agree with this, though I though the wear was much more noticeable in Pau than Kobe. It seemed like Pau was really struggling at getting back down on transition defense, partly due to his respiratory infection, but I think the 3 straight finals trips along with the international play really took it out of those two. It was such a hard task for them. Only 3 prior teams have made 4+ consecutive trips to the finals.

[@stuckinadazzee]

cool video. should show some of them steals

[@cadroy]

nice comp thanks.

[@ruoni09]

sick!!

[@austin78993]

Idk man watch him he really saves his energy. He walks around and doesn't really play much help D

[@sayros6711]

Blocks are nice and all, but that's not really the important part of defending. I would have rather seen his perimeter defense, how he handles 1-on-1. Blocks are nice and spectacular, but they don't make someone a great defender, otherwise Wade would be the greatest defender at SG, and he's lightyears away from that.

[@dollaboi103]

are you kidding me kobe 2nd in all time steals lol

[@sayros6711]

Aser Norelia 14th all-time, nowhere close to 2nd. Why post if you clearly don't know what you're talking about?

[@dollaboi103]

Was kidding dude come down lol

[@dollaboi103]

+Sayros buts let's be foreal kobe defense is way better then wade

[@dollaboi103]

+Sayros how many 1st team all defense does wade have?

[@leaverb]

Is that why the coaches around the league voted him onto 9 all nba defensive 1st teams and 3 all nba defensive 2nd teams?

[@antlerman1357]

2:05 was a goaltend, but still very impressive

[@GionneS]

Man, Kobe wouldve been so much better if he had a higher vert

[@alex268078243]

yes, he even lock down dwade, tracy mcgrady, and more

[@jreynard50]

nice music choice