Kobe Bryant Wingspan: The Mamba’s 6’11” Weapon
What was Kobe’s wingspan?
You wouldn’t think a 6’6″ (198cm) basketball star could have a 6’11” (210cm) wingspan – that’s wild! But Kobe Bryant was rocking some crazy long arms.
They called him the Black Mamba for the way he struck at defenses. And those epic arms were a big reason why. He could snatch balls out of the air on D that other guards had no chance at. Then he’d turn around and drain buckets from the way downtown thanks to that extra reach.
Klay Thompson is the same height at 6’6″, but his arms stop around 6’9″. So Kobe Bryant wingspan gave him a big edge on the court. It was like his secret weapon for dominating the game from both ends.
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Offensive Advantages of Kobe Bryant Wingspan
Kobe Bryant’s spider arms didn’t just slap shots on D – they made him straight beastly on offense too! We’re talking about a nearly 7-foot wingspan here for a 6’6″ guard…how insane is that!? No wonder defenders struggled to stop him.
Just look how that crazy reach boosted his scoring game. Those long arms let Kobe simply shoot right over most guys. His turnaround fadeaway? Thanks to his extra stretch, no one was blocking that baby.
Rebounding-wise, the Black Mamba could swoop into the paint and snag boards he is way taller couldn’t even touch. And don’t forget his nasty no-look, one-handed dimes to wide open teammates.
Kobe used his wingspan to put in work all over the court, especially on offense. It let him sink buckets no one else could hit, grab boards he had no business getting, and drop dimes defenders didn’t see coming.
Defensive Advantages of Kobe Bryant Wingspan
Kobe Bryant was a nightmare for opponents when he was locking down on D. His 6’11” wingspan let him get all up in their grills and cause chaos.
On the perimeter, Kobe used those lengthy arms to cut off passing lanes and contest shots. He could stretch out and cover way more space than most, making it super tough for guys to find openings. No wonder he made All-Defense First or Second teams 12 times!
Steals-wise, Kobe’s sticky fingers were always ready to pounce. He’d pick off passes other players couldn’t reach, then race downcourt. Over his career, he averaged a beastly 1.4 steals a game! His wingspan let him play passing lanes like a pro and force a ton of turnovers.
Of course, Kobe brought more than just physical gifts to defense. He studied the game intensely too. But those giant spider arms took his defensive domination over the top. Opposing squads feared both his scoring and his lockdown defense.
So Kobe has crazy offensive highlights, but don’t forget his wingspan also made him an all-time great defender!
Comparison to Other Legends
Kobe Bryant’s wingspan put him in some pretty beastly company. At nearly 7 feet across, Kobe’s reach was the same as Michael Jordan’s. MJ was 6’6″ just like Kobe, also stretched out to a 6’11” wingspan. Pretty crazy how two ballers of similar height could extend so far.
And get this, those giant wingspans gave both MJ and Kobe a major edge on the court. On D, they’d shut guys down by swatting shots and picking off passes. On offense, they could sink tough buckets and rise over defenders. So the Black Mamba was matching Air Jordan not just in skills, but also rare physical gifts!
LeBron James works that wingspan to his advantage too. With a 7’0” monster reach, he uses his strong frame and long arms to overpower opponents on both ends.
Wingspan has become such a key stat in hoops because it boosts performance so much – from swatting shots to grabbing boards and scoring under pressure. So Kobe matching MJ’s superhuman wings shows just how special he was physically.
The Importance of Wingspan in Basketball
For basketball shooting guards, having long, stick-like arms is a huge boost on the court. Wingspan – the measurement from hand tip to hand tip when stretched out – affects shooting, rebounding, passing, and defense. No wonder teams dig those crazy wingspans!
A longer reach lets guards elevate over defenders contesting their shots. We’re talking nice clean looks instead of arms in your face. The same goes for whipping passes, out-stretching the D gives you more lanes. Then there’s defense – giant arms swat down shots and steal passing lanes like nobody’s business!
The average player in the NBA over the last five seasons, for players with over 500 minutes, is approximately 6’6.25” with a 6’10.6” wingspan. At 6’6″ with almost a 6’11” wingspan, Kobe Bryant was working some epic arms compared to most other players at his position.
We’re talking major advantages shooting, rebounding, and playing intense D due to that extra length. A shooting guard’s wingspan is an important physical trait that can majorly impact how well they play. Long arms provide advantages, like blocking shots and stealing passes.
But wingspan isn’t everything. Developing skills through practice and having the right mentality also determine success on the court.
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Kenya Lee
