The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a horrid start this season.
However, although Kobe Bryant hasn’t quite been as efficient as he’s been in the past, he’s doing things in his 19th NBA season that simply haven’t been done before.
Few players have made it to 19 seasons in the NBA, and even fewer have displayed a level of play that Kobe Bryant has.
Kareem played 20 seasons, while Malone and Stockton played 19 seasons apiece. Kobe Bryant, of course, is currently 17 games into his 19th season.
Certainly, one must factor in age when it comes to comparing Kobe with the aforementioned Hall-of-Famers, as each was 40 years old in their respective 19th seasons, and Kobe is “only” 36 in his.
Another point that could be brought up is the fact that Kobe played all but six games in his 18th season, which would have some argue that Kobe’s 19th season is virtually his 18th.
Perhaps the most important factor when it comes to longevity in basketball, however, is minutes played.
Including playoff appearances, here are the following minutes totals for each player, up until — but not including — their 19th season:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 61,225
- Karl Malone: 60,588
- Kobe Bryant: 54,208
- John Stockton: 51,738
All factors bode well for Kobe when trying to compare him with guys who were older than him and played more minutes (except for Stockton) leading up to their 19th season.
Let’s take a look at some 19th season stats, anyway:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15.8 PER): 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks
- Karl Malone (17.8 PER): 13.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists
- John Stockton (21.0 PER): 10.8 points, 7.7 assists, 1.7 steals
- Kobe Bryant(20.9 PER): 26.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists
Kareem was certainly not the same scorer or rebounder he was during his prime, as his averages were much lower than his 20-season career numbers of 24.6 points and 11.2 rebounds.
Malone was also nowhere near the 25.0 points and 10.1 rebounds average he achieved throughout his 19-season career.
Stockton wasn’t far off, however, as his 19th season numbers did not differ much from his career numbers of 13.1 points, 10.5 assists, and 2.2 steals.
— Have You Seen These LIMITED EDITION “Try Me” T-Shirts? —
As mentioned, some could argue that Kobe’s virtually in his 18th season this year, so let’s take a look at some numbers from the three legends’ respective 18th seasons in comparison with Kobe’s current numbers:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (17.9 PER): 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks
- Karl Malone (21.7 PER): 20.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists
- John Stockton (21.9 PER): 13.4 points, 8.2 assists, 1.9 steals
- Kobe Bryant (20.9 PER): 26.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists
Each of those numbers are quite remarkable for a player in his 18th season, and more closely reflect each one’s respective career numbers.
Kobe’s numbers, however, are nearly identical to his career averages, and actually surpass his career points (25.5) and rebounds (5.3), while his career assists average (4.8) is slightly higher than his current average.
As far as PER ratings go, Malone and Stockton actually have higher scores in this cumulative stats department than Bryant.
Not only that, but Vino’s leading all scorers in the current NBA season as well, in a league filled with the likes of LeBron James, Carmelo Antony, and Steph Curry (Kevin Durant is currently hurt, unfortunately).
Accompanying Kobe’s scoring is the glaring stat that his current field goal percentage (39.2) is much lower than his career average of 45.3 percent.
In the same breath, if we’re disregarding Kobe’s 2013-2014 season, we’ve got to also accept the fact that he virtually had not played consistent basketball in approximately a year and half leading up to the current season.
Additionally, the Black Mamba is starting to heat up and has averaged 28.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 8.0 rebounds on 50.0 percent shooting over the last two games — the most recent game being one in which Kobe became the first player to reach at least 30,000 points and 6,000 assists.
In the same night, he also became the oldest player to notch a triple-double with at least 30 points in a game.
[divide]NBA Record: Kobe Bryant First With 6,000 Assists And 30,000 Points
PAGE 2: Kobe Bryant Having The Most Prolific 19th Season In NBA History
Vino is currently on pace to surpass Michael Jordan for third place on the all-time scoring list this season, and will soon only trail Malone (second) and Abdul-Jabbar (first). Stockton, for his part, is the all-time assists and steals leader. (Kobe Bryant will tie Isiah Thomas for 14th in all-time steals with three more steals.)
It is truly remarkable to witness some of the historical feats the Black Mamba is accomplishing and how he’s continually competing with not only the young superstars of the league, but some of the game’s greatest players as well.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, John Stockton, and Karl Malone each achieved a level of greatness early on, and managed to maintain an extremely high level of play throughout the remainder of their respective lengthy careers. Some of the numbers they were able to maintain are truly incredible (such as Stockton’s 21.0 19th-season PER compared with a career PER of 21.8).
— Have You Seen These LIMITED EDITION “Try Me” T-Shirts? —
Kobe Bryant is nearing the end of his career, but is playing at a level that only those three players have experienced — even surpassing them in certain areas.
Perhaps the most impressive factor in all of this is that he’s performing at such a high level after suffering a torn Achilles tendon. That particular injury ends numerous athletes’ careers, yet here is Kobe Bryant — driving to the basket, posting up, knocking down clutch shots in fourth quarters and overtimes — playing one of the most prolific individual 19th seasons in NBA history.
When asked following Sunday night’s game — a 129-122 overtime victory over the Toronto Raptors — how he’s been able to accomplish some of the things he has at 36 years of age and 19 seasons deep, Kobe responded to Lakers’ sideline reporter, Mike Trudell:
Asked Kobe on @TWCSportsNet what being the only guy to 30K points and 6K dimes means. Said it’s taken 24-7, around-the-clock work.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 1, 2014
The answer is no surprise, though, as we’ve all heard the numerous Kobe Bryant training and treatment stories — ranging from 3 A.M. workouts to extensive film study to post-game treatment in hotel rooms.
One particular ding on his box score line of 31 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds from Sunday night was the four missed free throws in 13 attempts — to which Kobe explained to Lakers Nation’s Serena Winters:
Kobe told me his poor free throw shooting is all legs: “I’m trying to figure out how to adjust.”
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) December 1, 2014
That’s Kobe.
Always adjusting. Always working. Always finding a way to stay at the top of his game despite new physical limitations.
It may be a tough season for Lakers fans to watch, but one thing to marvel at is the living legend that is Kobe Bryant.
He’ll be gone one day, but for now he’s looking as agile and determined as ever.
[divide]NBA Record: Kobe Bryant First With 6,000 Assists And 30,000 Points