Earlier this year I wrote about Kobe Bryant’s new post game, and how he might wind up being one of the better post-up guards in the history of the game. There’s really no telling how long he could be effective playing that style--as opposed to careening through the lane like some of his peers--and it’s not a stretch to think that his new skills could extend his reign over the NBA for at least 2-3 more years. As I wrote then:
How Lebron Could Be More Unstoppable
Kobe’s got the size and skills to play just about however he wants, and that makes him a perfect candidate to be a dominant post player. And the scary part is, he’s just scratching the surface. As the years pass, he’ll continue to master the art, and with characteristic savvy, could wind up being one of the tougher post-up guards in history.
And of course, as a diehard Wizards fan, I had to end with a little note to Kobe:
Also: Please Kobe, don’t teach any of this shit to Lebron.
As good as Kobe’s postgame could make him, Lebron is a whole ‘nother story. Kobe’s new wrinkles have a chance to extend his career and keep him dominant longer than any of us expected; Lebron’s post-game would be a way to define his dominance. Lebron’s closest analog in the NBA is Shaquille O’Neal--not because of how they play, but how they’re built. Both are guys that just defy belief. There’s not a single player that can hang with James.
And while Lebron’s been reluctant to adopt a post-game, every now and then he reminds us that, if he wanted to, he could just be laughably unstoppable. Watch the position he got on Ron Artest before an easy layup:
It prompted announcer Jeff Van Gundy to say: “You wonder... If Lebron James ducked in [the lane] like this every time, to the post... Who could handle him?” Hmm. That’s a pretty good question.
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