We’ve all seen the “Kobe System” commercials: Different animal. Same Beast.
Many don’t exactly know what it means, but I think I have a pretty good idea.
Kobe Bryant often alludes to it as well, most recently when a fan asked him if he had seen Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco rockin’ his gear on ESPN, to which Kobe responded via Twitter:
YUP Different Animal. Same Beast #CountOnKobesystem twitter.com/kobebryant/sta…
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) February 3, 2013
In essence, the meaning can be translated into an athlete of a different sport (or maybe even the same sport) having the same mentality as the Black Mamba.
However, I am convinced that Kobe Bryant is a different beast altogether.
His level of play recently would certainly support that.
Early on this season, Kobe was leading the league in scoring and doing so at a highly efficient rate; his scoring average and shooting percentage have dropped since then, but his field goal percentage is still at a career-high (47.5) level.
Then, because the Lakers were struggling and his scoring wasn’t resulting in enough wins, the Black Mamba decided to give play-making a try, and excelled at that as well. In a 12-game stretch ranging from January 25 up until the All-Star break, Bryant dished out an average of 8.5 assists per game, and more importantly, led his team to an 8-4 record.
Following the All-Star break, however, Kobe has gone on a scoring tear in an attempt to will his team to victory–but he hasn’t quite ditch the passing aspect of his game, either.
Bryant had a relatively quiet game against the Boston Celtics following the All-Star break–one that resulted in a 113-99 victory–but has since been absolutely remarkable.
In the seven games (and counting) following that, Kobe has averaged 35.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists; all of this on a highly efficient 56.4 percent clip from the field and 47.2 percent from three-point land!
The Lakers are 5-2 over the seven games, by the way.
Next Page: “Vino’s” Fourth Quarter Dominance
The current stretch of seven games has garnered the 34-year-old shooting guard the nickname “Vino,” which he has openly welcomed, as vino–or wine–gets better with age.
Additionally, Bryant has the most fourth quarter points (total) among any player in the entire league at 455.
Per fourth quarter (in which Kobe has played in 57), Bryant averages 8.0 points; which trails only Kevin Durant, who averages 8.6 points in 49 fourth quarters.
However, per 12 minutes in the fourth, Kobe averages 11.3 points; the next closest player being the aforementioned Kevin Durant at 10.6. (For edification, last season Kobe averaged 9.63 points per 12 minutes; trailed by Durant’s 9.55.)
After that, nobody even comes close. Not LeBron James (8.5). Not James Harden (9.0). Not anybody.
Now, let’s look at his scoring in the fourth quarters during the seven-game stretch: 11 points per fourth quarter (in six fourth quarters, since he sat out the fourth against Minnesota), and 14.4 per 12 fourth quarter minutes!
In that stretch, nobody comes even remotely close.
I didn’t put those numbers together to prove how clutch Kobe is, because we all know how dangerous he can be late in games, but rather to point out how remarkable it is that he’s performing at such a high level after three quarters of play, at his age and with as many miles as he’s accumulated on his body. (Although the pleasant surprise I found while researching fourth quarter scoring was how Kobe actually leads every other player–including the young superstars of the league–in that area. Anyway, back to the article.)
One knock on Kobe has always been that he takes too many shots to get his points. Well, over the course of the season, those league-leading 455 points in the fourth quarter have come on 47.3 percent shooting from the field, which is remarkably consistent with his overall percentage.
What about over the recent stretch? 63.9 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from behind the three point line!
That, right there, is absolutely insane.
With 17 seasons in the league combined with multiple playoff series and summers dedicated to Olympic play, it’s astounding that a player whose body has been through so much can somehow not only make it through end of games, but absolutely dominate them.
Even with the recent Reddit story detailing his crazy workouts during the 2012 Olympics and how his preparation allows him to perform the way he does, it’s still remarkable what Kobe’s doing right now.
Still, some may bring up LeBron James and his six-game streak of 30-plus points on over 60 percent shooting; he averaged 30.8 points on 71.7 percent shooting from the field, along with 6.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists.
That was simply historical, and I have no argument against that other than Bryant averages more points (35.1) and has similar overall stats (rebounds and assists) during his current stretch of God-like play.
However, that’s a 28-year-old, in-his-prime LeBron James.
When he, or anybody else can do what Kobe Bryant is currently doing in his 17th season in their 17th season, come and talk to me.
Next Page: The Black Mamba: A Different Beast Altogether
Despite performing at an extremely high level in his 17th season, Kobe isn’t just doing so by nailing a bunch of jump-shots. No, the Black Mamba is attacking the rim and dunking on known shot-blockers.
He’s being relentless in his pursuit of another title, as slim as the chances look for this season. Despite the disappointing season thus far, one simply can’t overlook the legendary season Kobe’s having.
Additionally, it’s not just the numbers but the manner and passion in which he plays the game which is truly remarkable and unique.
When Kobe Bryant puts up big numbers, it may not look as effortless as it did back in 2006 or 2007, but each and every point has meaning. It has a fiery defiance behind it. It contains a dramatic element that no other player currently in the league displays.
Which other player pumps his fist in fury after hitting a clutch jump-shot or snarls on the court after a breakaway slam dunk to place the game out of the opponent’s reach?
Which other player plays with the type of flair, theatrics, and overall passion that Kobe Bryant does?
Nobody.
Sure, there may be other athletes out there who share those similarities. Shoot, there may be other basketball players who are somewhat similar.
Those are the different animals, but are they the same beast as Kobe Bryant? Not a chance.
Different animal. Different beast.