Kobe Bryant: 5 Reasons He Didn't Deserve All-NBA First-Team Honors
The All-NBA teams were announced on Thursday and Kobe Bryant made the First Team. It's a shame that this prestigious honor is based more off of the track record of a player instead of that season's performance.
Kobe had a stellar season for all intensive purposes, but was he really one of the five best players in the entire league?
It's no secret that Bryant is aging before our eyes and he simply isn't the player he used to be. Here are five reasons why the NBA should have left Bryant off of the 2010-2011 All-NBA First Team.
1. Bryant's Numbers Were Down Across the Board
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Bryant saw his numbers decline in almost every major statistical category.
His 25.3 points were his lowest mark since the 2003-2004 season. His 5.1 rebounds are his lowest since his second year in the league and his 4.7 assists were also one of the worst of his career.
His shooting percentages also dipped substantially. The 32 percent clip from behind the arc was his worst since 2001-2002, and his 45 percent mark from the field was his lowest in six years.
We have all been very spoiled by his play over the year's and his numbers simply don't match those more deserving—like...
2. Dirk Nowitzki Is More Deserving
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Dirk Nowitzki had an outstanding season for the Dallas Mavericks and was rewarded with a spot on the All-NBA Second Team.
But was he snubbed from the First Team?
Dirk averaged 23 points, seven rebounds and 2.6 assists a game. His shooting percentages were off the charts. He shot a career-high 52 percent from the field and made a blistering 89 percent from the foul line.
Considering he shot 168 three-pointers, his shooting efficiency was truly remarkable.
Dirk is one of the best players in NBA history—just like Kobe—and it's a shame that Dirk was snubbed from the First Team.
What happened when the two teams met in the playoffs?
A four-game Mavs sweep.
Dirk's career isn't more accomplished than Kobe's, but he simply had the better season.
3. Kobe's Defense Is Slipping
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He used to be the premier perimeter defender in the NBA.
Now, he really struggles against some of the faster guards in the league. He got abused by Chris Paul in the playoffs and it really exposed his lost-foot speed.
His 0.2 blocks per game were the lowest of his entire career. He doesn't get the same lift on his vertical that he once had.
His 1.2 steals were also among the worst of his illustrious career.
Bryant just isn't the same defender he once was and that should affect his status as a member of the All-NBA First Team.
4. Share the Wealth!
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These awards can turn into popularity contests and nobody is more popular than Kobe.
This is his sixth time making the All-NBA First Team and his numbers were by far the worst of his six appearances.
This is a huge honor and it's not a big deal for Bryant anymore.
There are other players that are more deserving of first-team status and it's Bryant's turn to take a step back.
5. D-Wade Was Much More Deserving
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Dwyane Wade just underwent the most difficult season of his entire career.
Bringing in LeBron James meant he had to completely alter the way he played the game. The intense media scrutiny made sure that every move he made was analyzed to death.
Yet he was still able to average more points (25.5), more assists (4.6), had a better shooting percentage (50), more steals (1.5) and blocks (1.1) than Bryant.
Wade's defense was fierce this season and his team was more successful than Bryant's.
Add it up and Wade should have been a first-teamer instead of Kobe.
