In 2015-16 Kobe had the highest salary in the league at $25 million.
He put up 17.5/4/3 with the 4th highest usage rate that year playing around 28 MPG. Shooting splits of 36/28/83 for the 7th lowest TS% in the league. Meanwhile, the lakers finished bottom of the West with a 17-65 record.
Looking at advanced metrics: 2nd worst plus minus per game, 4th worst defensive box plus minus, 7th lowest win shares and 2nd lowest WS/48 (both negative) and all of which are the worst among Lakers players that year.
I understand he was injured and it was a farewell tour but purely from a production relative to salary perspective is this the worst season by a player ever or would it still be better than e.g a star being injured all year or refusing to play but making the max.
Bill Bradley was the highest paid player in the league as a rookie in 1968.
He averaged 8/3/3 on below average efficiency in the regular season and 6/1/0 in the playoffs.
Okay, but I bet he made like $20k per year lol.
$20k was a lot back then.
After researching this issue, I’m both amazed and bewildered about a few things.
Amazed: Bradley was drafted twice. First in 1965 by the 76ers, but he said “Nah, fuck that.” He didn’t sign a contract, played ball in Italy, went to Oxford, dropped out, and then went into the Air Force. Then joined the Knicks in 1967.
Bewildered: Why the fuck does Bill Bradley look like an old man at the age of 22?
For some reason I thought this was about Bill Russell and could not have been more surprised upon clicking that link
Didn’t he also go on to be a US Senator?
Yep, senator of New Jersey.