Kobe Bryant’s Iso Jab Step Repertoire, No Dribbles | Skill Set Series

#kobe #alwaysandforever

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Another “no dribbles” themed project, Kobe showcases a simple and minimalistic approach to isolation scoring. The complete player that prime-years Kobe was, getting by defenders and attacking the basket was a powerful weapon. The reputation he built early on for having a quick and explosive first step kept opponents on edge. His excellence at the free throw line contributed to the respect. As a result, Kobe was always guarded cautiously. In the triple threat position, Kobe used jab steps/fakes to create space and keep defenders honest. As a right handed player, his left foot served as pivot. He relied heavily on initial swing-throughs/hard jabs right. If space was created, he elevated - 0:12, 0:54, 1:41. The natural fade to his form assisted in getting off clean and undisrupted shots.

Because Kobe equipped himself with the ability to put the ball on the floor going both left and right, he appeared unaffected by his matchup’s approach. For example, Marion’s slightly open baseline side stance at 1:31 is swaying Kobe right. Amidst a series of jabs and subtle feints in that direction, Marion finally goes for it and Kobe elevates. At 2:04, Payton is pushing him left towards the middle. Kobe throws a pair of two hard jabs at Payton’s strong/top foot. Because a blow-by right in this situation would be harder to recover from, Payton respects the drive even more-so than Marion did. They guarded him differently, but he played them the same.

Kobe developed what I like to call a “cross-body step.” Influenced left, he would patiently take a delayed step into the space he was being persuaded, planting his right foot near the defender’s back foot. If the defender ultimately maintained their stance failing to anticipate a drive, Kobe would go. Since he doesn’t dribble in this video, the move at 2:49 functions as a “cross-body jab.” In this instance, Artest’s help is middle. Recognizing this, Kobe cross steps into the jab. Ron shifts and Kobe elevates. Same thing at 4:04 with Ginobili, one of the nastier ones. The 3:03 broadcast angle doesn’t capture it’s effectiveness, but the replay shows just how much he was able to move Kirilenko.

Quite a few of these clips include Kobe “feeling out” the defender. Only he knows what was going on in his mind at the time, this is merely an attempt at surmising what that was. While 2:24 and 2:30 look automatic, 3:45, 4:28, and 5:06 have a much looser vibe. His approach was different on these. He’s reading, assessing, baiting, playing 1 on 1 as if there’s no shot clock, as if he and his defender are the only ones on some deserted park’s blacktop. They’re isolations not necessarily within the triangle’s flow, whereas 2:24 and 2:30 are routine pinch post catches.

Take a close look at the 1:48 replay. You can see Kobe turn the ball ever so slightly before the jab, lining his fingers up with the seams. May appear unimportant as it was likely instinctual on his part. I found it interesting because small details as such are usually difficult to see on television and therefore overlooked.

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[maniacrailfan]

The most skilled offensive talent the game has ever seen. We will never seen anything quite like him again. Mark my words

[anielloa]

Favorite Kobe move ever, so simple yet effective

[DarkSideDisciple]

Kobe was the definition of UNGUARDABLE‼️💯 Mind you… that was just ONE move amongst thousands in his bag. Not to mention the counter moves he has made to those. UNBELIEVABLE‼️💯

[inexpugnabilis]

Glad you’re back! Always a pleasure watching your videos. If you have more rare Kobe Highlights pls drop them! 🔥

[ArmandoKozomara]

As a defender you're at his mercy. Nothing you can do about it.

[gabrielsoto]

Glad you posted again. Love all the videos

[Exhibit]

The goat is back!! Thanks for the new skills comp.

[Jakob-W]

0:29 filthy, the way he can look like hes moving 3 different ways without even pick up his back foot is insane

[royalmcmorris]

I learned that shit deadly thanks Kobe

[Sheboygan.]

Welcome back! Incredible video and breakdown in the description, as always.

[justicefelipe]

Imagine Kobe played with players who could actually space the floor. If he did that and grew up with the analytics so that he stepped 1 ft back and made more 3s, the nerds would be praising him. Instead he played in the hardest defensive era of all time, in the best conference of all time, on teams w no shooting, bigs clogging the paint. People who just box score watch don't get it. His impact went so far beyond their comprehension, I have Kobe firmly in my top 2, I understand people having him as low as 6 or 7 but nobody is miles better. Once the media turned on him after 03 it was over for his goat case, yet it's telling how his peers rank him vs those in the media and those who only look at the box scores.

[KingKobe]

Love and appreciate your videos. I've been looking for something like this but where he swing/rips his arm through for the shot.

[lloydmalakaiofficial]

He uses the jab to see if the defender will react. if the defender reacts and moves backward, he brings his jab foot back in. then if the defender stays back to stop him driving, that gives him enough space and he shoots it

[kinglion]

IF ANYONE TOOK THESE SHOTS THERE FG WOULD BE BELOW 40%

[RealSoloShow]

Kobe's jab step cannot be denied because you know that when you don't flinch a slash to the basket will happen.

[validity]

Mesmerizing he played like he was dreaming and the defenders were too except someone was having a nightmare lol

[anthonypreda]

I hope Jayson Tatum shows this to Deuce!