LAL 93, SAS 91 - Player of the game:
Kobe Bryant: 28 PTS, 14-29 FGM, 48 FG%, 10 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL
In the 2008 NBA Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the San Antonio Spurs in a highly competitive series. The Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant, were seeking to reclaim their dominance in the conference, while the Spurs, champions of the previous two seasons, aimed to continue their successful run. The series was a showdown between two of the NBA’s premier teams, each with a deep roster and strong coaching.
The Lakers took control of the series with a 4-1 victory, showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive prowess. Key performances from Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol played a pivotal role in overcoming the Spurs’ formidable defense. Bryant averaged 25.0 points per game throughout the series, while Gasol contributed significantly with his scoring and rebounding.
The decisive Game 5 was a testament to the Lakers' resilience and depth, as they closed out the series with a 100-92 win on the road in San Antonio. The victory not only secured their place in the NBA Finals but also marked a significant moment in the resurgence of the Lakers as a dominant force in the league, setting the stage for their eventual showdown with the Boston Celtics.
The top five players of the series, ranked by Game Score performance, are:
Kobe Bryant: 29.2 PTS, 53 FG%, 33 3P%, 91 FT%, 5.6 REB, 3.8 AST, 1.6 STL, GmSc: 20.7
Tim Duncan: 22.4 PTS, 43 FG%, 59 FT%, 17.4 REB, 4.8 AST, 1.2, 2.0, GmSc: 19.7
Tony Parker: 19.4 PTS, 48 FG%, 14 3P%, 83 FT%, 4.0 REB, 5.6 AST, 0.8 STL, GmSc: 13.8
Pau Gasol: 13.2 PTS, 45 FG%, 73 FT%, 9.6 REB, 3.6 AST, 1.0 STL, 1.6 BLK, GmSc: 12.1
Lamar Odom: 12.8 PTS, 40 FG%, 69 FT%, 9.6 REB, 2.8 AST, 0.2 STL, 1.4 BLK GmSc: 9.2
Although Kobe Bryant narrowly surpassed Tim Duncan in Game Score by 1 point, he had the support of two additional players whose combined performance exceeded that of Duncan's secondary help.
In Game 4 of the series, the differences between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan become evident. Kobe Bryant scored 28 points on 48% shooting, but this efficiency is deceptive. He needed 29 attempts to reach his 28 points, translating to just 0.97 points per shot. When a player scores below 1.2 points per shot attempt, it can negatively impact the team by giving the opposition more opportunities.
In contrast, Michael Jordan consistently compensates for this with his ability to draw fouls, averaging 30 points per game on 20-22 shot attempts and converting 8-10 free throws. Hitting 80% of his 10 free throw attempts is similar to making 4 field goals out of 5 attempts. The optimal points per attempt is 1.2 to 1.5. Scoring 30 points on 1.3 points per possession or better is incredibly efficient and doesn’t take the game away from your teammates.
Jordan's approach is strategic—when his jumpers aren't falling, he attacks the rim to draw fouls, whereas Bryant often continues to shoot jumpers until his shooting touch returns. This difference in strategy highlights Jordan's understanding on maximizing his scoring efficiency and possessions.
Whenever people compare Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, I have to disagree. Although they share similar aesthetics and form, their playing styles are fundamentally different. After Michael Jordan won his first championship, he just allowed the game to come to him. In contrast, Kobe often tries to dominate the game through sheer willpower, as demonstrated in the 2004 Finals when he attempted to outshoot the Pistons despite Shaquille O'Neal's dominant presence and lack of touches.
Jordan will choose his spots wisely—he'll execute his moves with such precision that even though you anticipate them, you can’t stop them. On the other hand, Kobe's game is characterized by its unpredictability; he shoots from every angle on the court. This variability can sometimes negatively impact his shooting efficiency, as shooting is heavily reliant on muscle memory.
While Kobe did evolve his game to resemble Jordan’s more measured approach during his 2008-10 championship runs, he occasionally reverts to his earlier, more aggressive shooting style. Kobe Bryant is one of my top three players of all time. What sets Michael Jordan apart at a different level is his ability to dominate effortlessly. Jordan plays with unmatched control and unshakeable confidence. He dominates the game at the right moments without taking the game away from his teammates.
I grew up watching Kobe, so naturally, I should favor him since I saw most of his career firsthand, while Jordan played before I was even born. However, after seeing Jordan in action, it’s clear to me that he's the superior player—there's no denying it. You also need to evaluate players in the context of their era.
