Author: Monojit Mandal
Analysts think that Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who made an unforgettable impression on the NBA, would have thrived in the current era of basketball. Although Bryant’s status as one of the greatest players of all time is undeniable, his efficiency on the court has been a source of controversy. Analysts say that if he had played today, he would have been much more effective due to the changes and the style of play.
Bryant’s spectacular career, highlighted by numerous individual and team achievements, continues to inspire millions of people around the world. During his playing career, he was criticized for not being as efficient as some of his famous colleagues. His career numbers are remarkable, with an actual shooting percentage of 55.0 and an effective field goal percentage of 48.2. However, modern superstars surpass him in each of these areas.
Basketball expert Jason Timpf recently clarified the scenario in which Bryant spent most of his career, dubbed the “dead ball era”. Timpf believes that if Bryant had played in the modern era, his efficiency would have soared.
Bryant’s career-best 50.4 effective field goal percentage during the 2012-13 season, when the NBA began to undergo substantial changes, is one of Timpf’s main justifications. The NBA in the late 1990s and early 2000s was characterized by a slow game, with a lot of intensity and a slow pace. Timpf believes that Bryant would have scored more efficiently if he had played at today’s fast, attacking pace.
In fact, according to Tom Haberstroh’s 2020 research, Bryant had the highest scoring season in NBA history when adjusted for pace of play. That alone shows how his game could have thrived in the modern world.
Furthermore, when taking into account the increase in efficiency Bryant would have had if he had been at his peak in the early 2020s, the case gains strength. The growth of the game, with its focus on three-point shots and fast breaks, would have favoured Bryant’s abilities wonderfully.
In short, although Kobe Bryant’s legacy is immaculate, commentators like Jason Timpf emphasize that his efficiency numbers must be seen in the context of the era in which he played. Undoubtedly, Bryant’s efficiency would have reached new heights in today’s fast-paced game, establishing his place as one of the all-time greats in an even more remarkable way.