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Announcement: There will be a break in the series after this episode, with the remainder of the series resuming in February.

Early look at episode 10 and Kobe Bryant. I think some minor athleticism loss makes it harder to keep 2009 at the same level as the preceding seasons (although it's close). 2006 lacks the same decision-making (and defensive assertion) as the following seasons, but his athleticism and scoring punch make up for it. 

Reminder: If you have access to this post, you are invited to vote in the Patreon Top-10 peaks at the end of this series. Voting will take place after the final player profile and will be revealed as part of the final episode of this series.

($7 subscribers will receive most videos in this series a week before they are released to the public, $4 subscribers a few days later).

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Kobe peak final.mp4

This is "Kobe peak final.mp4" by Ben Taylor on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Comments

Anonymous

Masterful timing by you Ben to give us this reflection on Kobe nearly a year to the day of the tragic day that was January 26,2020 (I'm guessing that's the reason for the break in the Greatest Peaks series next week?) Also week marks the 15 year anniversary of the 81 point game (how time flys.) Also wanted to express a little disappointment in the idea that unless you expand the series past 14 players we will miss out on at least 3 players whose CORP average was greater than 17.0, (Strong MVP season based on your CORP outline in the GOAT Top 40 article)during their peak based on the current CORP calculations, (you hinted at possible changes there) with Durant 16-17, Wade 09-10, Dirk 10-11 and (I'm assuming) Giannis 19-20 duking it out for the final spot. Can you help us understand why you chose the cutoff line at 14? (Seems arbitrary) I thought a peak CORP of 17.0 would make a more logical cutoff, do you agree? Is there still time to include the other CORP 17.0+ candidates that I mentioned into this series?

Anonymous

Oh, man... I'll miss it badly, my mondays won't be the same until february. Will it be early february?

Anonymous

Ben does this mean Tim Duncan is not a part of the series?

Anonymous

Great analysis of Kobe's defense and passing. Thanks Ben

Anonymous

I'm really looking forward to how the final episode will be structured in trying to size up all of the player's respective primes against each other

Anonymous

He said he'll be mixing up with chronology. Duncan and Garnett, both are part of the series.

Ben Taylor

Yes -- I'm quite disappointed as well. My target was almost exactly what you outlined, but I'm already tight on time so there had to be cuts. Instead most (if not all) of the players left out will be featured in future historical series.

Anonymous

Hope it's just to have some more time and everything is okay with you and your family! I'll be waiting!!!

Anonymous

Not gonna lie, didn't think he was making the cut.

Anonymous

I teared up watching this. What an amazing video and tribute to a legendary student and teacher of the game

Anonymous

So with 9 players down and 5 more to go, who's going to make the cut? Outside the obvious LBJ, KG, and Duncan who else is left? My money is on Curry and Giannis

Anonymous

I think Curry's a fairly safe bet. But I wonder whether Ben would consider a video on Giannis to be premature - it's not clear he's reached his peak. My guess is Nowitzki or Durant.

Anonymous

Great video again Ben! I wonder how 2005/06-2008/09's slower pace and free throw officiating would help Kobe increase his offensive output in the modern NBA

Anonymous

Curry is a lock. Dirk, Wade, or Durant seem most likely for the last spot. Nash and Paul are up there too.

Anonymous

I'm so excited for KG. Reading Ben's work & seeing how he's traditionally undervalued makes him one of my favorite player's ever.

_kags

Aren't there 15 players? Curry Durant Wade will all make the cut, all have higher peak corps than Kobe

_kags

just out of curiosity, when in February will the series be resuming?