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NBA Scouting Report:

No one compares to Kobe

By Terry Brown

Friday, January 17 Updated 11:26 AM EST

Please do not attempt to adjust your computer screen.

Kobe Bryant just forced his man into an awkward, leaning poor excuse of a shot that bounced off the heel of the rim and was rebounded by Kobe Bryant, who passed to a streaking Kobe Bryant, who faked left, went right, then no looked a pass to Kobe Bryant spotting up for a three in the corner who, instead, lobbed the ball up a few inches in front of the rim where Kobe Bryant snatched it out of the air and reverse slammed it, legs curled, jawbone flexed with that twinkle in his eye.

Kobe Bryant

Shooting Guard

Los Angeles Lakers

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

38 27.9 7.6 7.0 .451 .820

All 10 of them.

We asked NBA scouts from around the league to imagine, if they could, a team comprised of only one player to pass to score to dribble to board to rebound and carry the bags from the locker room to the team bus while defending the other team's point guard, shooting guard, small forward, big forward and center who would, in fact, be the same player, too.

Who would they choose to clone?

"Of course, I thought about Kevin Garnett," said one scout.

Was it the 20 points and 10 boards over the last five years or the 2,300 assists from a forward before his 27th birthday or the career digits of 1.4 steals and 1.7 blocks per game?

"But from baseline to baseline, I don't think he's as adept or in control as most people think he is," he continued.

"Paul Pierce wouldn't be bad," said another.

No one, you could argue, who has hit 595 three-pointers in 323 career games has ever dunked as hard or as often or gotten this many steals and rebounds without anyone noticing this many steals and rebounds.

"But he wouldn't be my first choice," he said. "Shawn Marion may be an even better small forward, anyways."

"I know he's old," started another, "But John Stockton is tough. He's a winner."

Jason Kidd? Gary Payton?

Is there any other player on the floor who, on a possession by possession basis, is more responsible for the outcome of game after game than the point guard?

"But that was just a thought," he continued.

Too small to guard big guys. Big guys too bulky up and down the court. What would the other four Tracy McGradys do in the meantime while one of them scored 40 or 50 or 60? Who was Dirk Nowitzki going to guard at all? How was Tim Duncan going to get the ball across halfcourt? Would Shaq be called for 15 seconds in the key?

We were talking about men who were twice the size of our kids who routinely did things we thought only possible in cartoon and the conversation became a question of weakest links and kryptonite.

No one was perfect, but who was the least imperfect in every aspect of an ever-evolving game being stretched by each draft?

"You've got to look for a guy who is, first and foremost, versatile," continued one of the scouts. "And from the top of the circle through the lane, right on down to his rebounding, Kobe Bryant has great court vision. And we haven't even talked about the proverbial intangibles. You may question his shot selection sometimes but never his will to win."

"No question," one concluded. "Kobe Bryant has the size and the skills and he's a winner. He plays when he's hurt. He plays when he's sick. He's durable."

"He's a coach's dream," said another. "Kobe Bryant is a choir boy off the court and a serial killer on it."

We didn't mean to build a shrine for the guy, but the incense was lit and we're not using any names for this one, either . . .

. . . right!?!

"Can you imagine five of him playing a full court pressing man defense," asked another. "Without one of them ever needing a break."

"I know a lot has been said about his showboating but I think it comes from his desire to become better," another continued. "He needs more patience. He needs to have more confidence in his teammates. But if those other four teammates are him, then there's no problem."

Nervous laughter.

"And I don't think there's any question that he'd be setting solid screens and posting up and finding ways to be effective without the ball. Remember, it's always better to have a player who's trying to do too much rather than one hiding behind his own stats."

It's become almost as much fun in this business to tear down our MVP candidates as it was trying to be the initial one to spot them in the first place. A game of a game of a game. So much so that consensus was feeling a bit uncomfortable. But did we even notice that columns ran right and left this week on the Next Kobe's new Hummer while the Current Kobe hasn't yet reached his prime.

Think about it. You've got nephews named after a cut of cooked meat that aren't even two, yet.

Light another candle.

No, Kobe couldn't guard Duncan in the post but how do you think they would do in the open court? Kidd could certainly get physical with him defensively but do you really think the point guard would ever score the other way around? Pierce has hit some big shots, but this many? This big?

It was unanimous.

McGrady versus Bryant could very well come down to free throws. And, well, it's 82 percent to 80 percent in favor of . . .

"Kobe."

"Kobe."

"Kobe."

"Kobe."

"Kobe."