Are the Celts in trouble if Kobe learns the Dream Shake?

[TitleMaster]

Kobe taking lessons from Hakeem...

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2009/10/09/20091009_kobe_dream.KRIV/index.html

If let's say Kobe develops the rhythm and can in effect, generating an unstoppable shot, (in other words, I'm not too wowed by a his current pullaway jumper), are we in trouble?

We don't really have a current defender who can dog him non-stop and any help defense on him, will open up us to the Laker's Euro-centric style outside shooting game.

[indeedproceed]

I think if Lebron learns the dream shake, we're in trouble.

Kobe already has a pretty refined post game.

[TitleMaster]

I think if Lebron learns the dream shake, we're in trouble.

LeBron needs two more outside sharpshooters, for the Cavs to obliterate everyone. That's in effect, how a team with one superman, the '94 Rockets, won it all. Smith, Cassell, and Horry were always able to find a way to get open, due to instant doubles on Hakeem, in the post.

[indeedproceed]

I think if Lebron learns the dream shake, we're in trouble.

LeBron needs two more outside sharpshooters, for the Cavs to obliterate everyone. That's in effect, how a team with one superman, the '94 Rockets, won it all. Smith, Cassell, and Horry were always able to find a way to get open, due to instant doubles on Hakeem, in the post.

Maybe, but saying the 6'9 260lbs freak of nature lebron james needs only an advanced post game to become leader of the free world does not seem like too much of a stretch to me. It is literally the one thing he's really super bad at.

[BballTim]

I think if Lebron learns the dream shake, we're in trouble.

Kobe already has a pretty refined post game.

  If Kobe grows to Hakeem's size, then we're in trouble.

[Bahku]

The Celtics are not in trouble, no matter what Kobe does! Come on ... Bryant is a great ball player, but the "Kobe is God" statements are getting really old. He could grow wings, sprout another set of legs, and have jets in his sneakers, and still the Celts would not be "in trouble". The rest of the NBA is in trouble, (from the Celtics), no matter what Kobe and LeBron do.

[GroverTheClover]

Is he going to play in the post? I'd love for him to do it.

[Fafnir]

Is he going to play in the post? I'd love for him to do it.

Why is that?

Kobe has a very good post game, that's one of the reasons the Celtics switch Pierce onto him during some games. Kobe can't post Pierce up like he can Ray.

[TitleMaster]

no matter what Kobe and LeBron do

Well here's the situation... most swingmen have a few head fakes and pull up jumpers. All and all, they lack what some would call a *money* ball. When Kareem launches a sky hook, he's in effect created a shot which only Chamberlain's been able to stop in mid-air. Clearly, help defenders are needed to prevent him from getting his pivot and thus, the pass to Worthy is initiate. That was the 80s Laker's one-two punch and honestly, only Kareem turning 39, put a muzzle on it. If there was a time machine, and they could have transported his 29-30 year old body into the 1980s, the Lakers might have had a true dynasty, instead of a split decade of titles.

What these primadonnas need is something similar, a type of shot which forces help from other defenders, and thus either opens a lane for a slasher (like a Worthy) or a open wide outside shot (like a Horry).

[TitleMaster]

Kobe can't post Pierce up like he can Ray.

Pierce can't stop the Dream Shake. It inherently has two or three fakes built it, and without some psychic abilities, it's hard to know which of the moves will generate the release.

[Fafnir]

Kobe can't post Pierce up like he can Ray.

Pierce can't stop the Dream Shake. It inherently has two or three fakes built it, and without some psychic abilities, it's hard to know which of the moves will generate the release.

The reason the Dream Shake worked is because of the position he established and his height. The shorter the player the harder it is to make a hook shot or turn around work reliably.

I don't think a new shot would help Kobe work in the post much more, but we'll see what happens. He does need to adjust his game, because he can't get to the rim like he used to just three years ago.

[TitleMaster]

The reason the Dream Shake worked is because of the position he established and his height. The shorter the player the harder it is to make a hook shot or turn around work reliably.

Yes, but Hakeem was a 6'10" player despite the attempts at trying to cast him as a full 7 footer. Kobe is 6'7", not exactly a midget in comparison. If Kobe can't establish position, then in effect, he's not doing the move, and the turnaround will be a poor shot attempt.

[RAcker]

My initial answer to the question "Are the Celts in trouble if Kobe learns the Dream Shake?" is "Nah, just let Paul reject his a** again."

But since the OP says Paul is incapable of doing this, then I guess we'll just be Kobe's B if this happens.  All hail Kobe.   

[Fafnir]

The reason the Dream Shake worked is because of the position he established and his height. The shorter the player the harder it is to make a hook shot or turn around work reliably.

Yes, but Hakeem was a 6'10" player despite the attempts at trying to cast him as a full 7 footer. Kobe is 6'7", not exactly a midget in comparison. If Kobe can't establish position, then in effect, he's not doing the move, and the turnaround will be a poor shot attempt.

But that's my point, its not a big deal for a SG/SF to have a post move like that. Especially when he's already got a rock solid post up game.

[Chris]

Has he not been doing the Dream Shake in the past?  I think his post moves have already been pretty devastating, so I don't think it will make a huge difference.

Now, if Lebron learned the Dream Shake, it would be a story.