Kobe Bryant vs. Zone Defense

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This video details the superior defenses that Bryant and other superstars have to go up against in the modern era of basketball. Unlike he 80's and 90's isolation brand of basketball, Kobe is the most doubled-teamed perimeter player in the history of the NBA.

Zone is effective because it plays the percentages. It forces dominant players out of the paint and into lower percentage shots. It also forces great players to distribute the ball to the perimeter - where their role players will become forced into volume three point shooting. Zone is the most effective method of defense and is used around the world at almost every level. Zone is used in college basketball (NCAA) by most teams, and college is considered to be the 'purest' form of basketball. Zone defense is also used by most international teams and it was effective in beating the more athletic USA in the 2006 International Fiba games.

If you don't take my word for it, why don't you take Bryant's. Here is an article from 2007 in which Bryant talks about modern zone defenses:

"The rules are completely different now,'' said Bryant, comparing his era to Jordan's. "I've always been able to shoot the ball, but the rules have changed since he played in terms of playing a zone defense. You have to be a jump shooter now because there's no way you can get to the basket -- particularly myself because they just stack guys up. I wish we had the rules they had back in the day where you could isolate guys and you could go to the basket anytime. But now you have to be able to shoot.''

Link:

*Zone was legalized prior to the 2001-2002 season in order to contain Shaquille O'neal.

*I made this video with my personal archives of Kobe/Laker footage. I made this video in 2 days - I will make a more detailed version and comparisons to Jordan's era when I have more time.

Channel: Sports
Uploaded: June 18, 2008 at 6:07 am
Author: KB42PAH

Length: 00:05:16
Rating: 4.26
Views: 264939

Tags: Kobe Bryant Zone defense Rule Change 80's 90's weak isolation era Basketball NBA hand checking Bruce Blitz propaganda

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numbing numbered numerous Comments:
TheIndianGuy123 (December 1, 2008 at 3:47 pm)
KOBE GOT FUCKIN CLOSELINED LMAO you don't watch basketball lolll
TheIndianGuy123 (December 1, 2008 at 3:45 pm)
"Jordan didn't have exactly the best supporting cast money can buy either." lmaoo thas all i have to say..one of them KB haters like everybody else
limitedplay (December 1, 2008 at 1:23 pm)
OK I watched the video, you dont know jack about basketball. You're telling me to watch Kobe shoot 22 foot fadeaways in three guys face and tell me how that wins rings. What won the Lakers rings was Shaq, just like in Miami. Now they are back to buying rings as they are enourmousley over the salary cap.
Like Ive said before JORDAN HAS NEVER BEEN EMBARRASED IN THE FINALS & KOBE HAS TWICE. Last I checked Jordan didn't have exactly the best supporting cast money can buy either.
arkade2345 (December 1, 2008 at 12:07 pm)
if you think kobe had a hard time against the celtics for one series, imagine having to play against the Bad Boys for an entire series or the Knicks! kobe has never gotten fouled as hard as jordan did during those era's and unlike kobe, jordan continually drove to the basket,knowing the pounding he would take. he refused to be intimidated.
its only natural that young kids today will like kobe better b/c thats all they know. but having seen both i can assure you he is NOT better than jordan
arkade2345 (December 1, 2008 at 12:04 pm)
the problem is all the younger generation thinks of JOrdan from teh wizards when they compare him to Kobe, and all hte older generation remembers the Jordan from the late 80's and early 90's who was in his prime and literally dominated the league no ifs ands or buts.
kobe is the closest thing to MJ we will have but he is NOT better htan JOrdan! period!
Jordan went up against defenses that were much more physical than anything the nba has now a days.
shaggyoogle (December 1, 2008 at 5:44 am)
It'd be preferable to actually watch the video before making an ignorant comment like that.
bengolsal20 (December 1, 2008 at 5:41 am)
are u kidding?? u must be!
limitedplay (December 1, 2008 at 3:11 am)
Kobe is crap. He has been enbarrased his last two trips to the NBA finals period. That never happened to Jordan and never would happen to Jordan. The best player in any sport never gets stomped twice in arow when a championship is up for grabs.
po10sy (December 1, 2008 at 2:38 am)
I dont think so? You cannot blame the jordan era and NBA today.. all of what is happening today is because players now are imitating mj's move..

MICHAEL JORDAN really changed the game of basketball if he doesnt exist, everything will be the same and boring.. even greatest player of today developed their athletic move because during 80's and 90's they all said Michael Jordan came from the future..

thats just my point of view.. please check out my videos! and I sub every friend invite.
po10sy (December 1, 2008 at 2:34 am)
I dont think so? You cannot blame the jordan era and NBA today.. all of what is happening today is because players now are imitating mj's move..

MICHAEL JORDAN really changed the game of basketball if he doesnt exist, everything will be the same and boring.. even greatest player of today developed their athletic move because during 80's and 90's they all said Michael Jordan came from the future..

thats just my point of view.. please check out my videos! and I sub every friend invite.