The Lakers lose 99-93 to the Memphis Grizzlies. Kobe Bryant shoots 5-15 and continues his horrific shooting this season, with 37.9 per cent from the field while averaging 26.4 PPG.
Lakers fans love Kobe, for what he has done for the organisation in his long NBA tenure, but right now the best thing he can do is take a step back and teach the next Laker generation.
Instead, he is forcing up fade-aways like they are layups and shooting quick fire threes to pump the crowd up even more while only down a few points. He is doing this instead of taking the drive and going for the layup, which would not only be the efficient thing to do, but would actually get the crowd much more excited because now they can actually try and win the game.
Is it because he is so focused on passing Michael? Does he just want to lead the league? or is he still stuck in his past?
This is a risky article because it is one of the first beginning to criticise how he is playing right now, but I think the frustration by fans and players a like must be shown.
His teammates see him as a god. Yes to some he may be. I know he is one of the greatest players of all time, but he shouldn’t receive extra special treatment.
If Kobe shoots a bad shot, his teammates need to let him know that way he himself will begin to trust his team more and the flow on the Lakers’ offence might actually get them some more wins.
Kobe right now will make or break their season, he needs to learn to trust his teammates and actually use his experience to his advantage.
Kobe Bryant is an excellent player, but we would all be much more impressed if he decided to actually lead this team the way we all know he can.
Xnowmann
Guest
Kobe is a myth, doesn't deserve to tie Jordan's shoes.
Llewellyn Fits-Rhombus
Guest
Kobe is a one trick pony. For years it has been a very good trick and he has won titles with players who have a more all rounded offense. It seems like his only plan is to shoot his way out.
matt
Guest
Keep going Kobe - best way to play yourself into form!
rouleur
Guest
Watched the last qtr against the grizzlies and it was really embarassing. Airball 3's in transition and lots of turnovers. Regardless of what he's trying to do or what's best for the Lakers, he just looks bad out there and too much of this stuff and he'll ruin a great career.
Dave
Guest
Kobe is playing very selfish basketball. I watched the Lakers play Golden State and he pretty much shot it every time down the floor, 34 shots and 16 free throws in 31 minutes. He might have got 44 points in that game but it wasn't a good game by any stretch of the imagination. I feel for his teammates who are statuesque on offense the majority of the time.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
You are assuming the Lakers were going to be contending for a playoffs spot. Kobe is gunning for the records and the Lakers lose their 1st round pick if it doesn't fall in the top 5. I would rather see Kobe shoot 20+ times a game than a combination of Boozer rainbows, Hill post ups and corner 3s by Player X. They were never going to be a good side so why not give the fans what they want? Kobe isn't stupid.
Nathan
Roar Rookie
Carlos Boozer is averaging his lowest assists per game (1.6), points per game (12.6) and field goals attempted (11.4) since his Rookie season even though he is shooting a higher percentage than he shot his last 2 seasons with the Bulls. Jeremy Lin is shooting the best FG% & 3P% of his career and also getting the least shots per game of his career (ignoring his year with the Warriors where he played 9 mins per game). Meanwhile Kobe's Salary for this season is $23,500,000. The combined salary of the rest of the team (14 players) is $48,055,915 at an average of $3,432,565. Moral of the story, if you want to improve your efficiency head to the Lakers because you'll be expected to score just as many points as you have been in the past with less shots. Oh and at the same time watch someone take home a third of the money and shoot 37% (the 5th worst in the whole Lakers line up)
fturla
Guest
The Los Angeles Lakers are undermanned. Without a sufficient number of players able to score, it is pointless to play hero ball in the style that Kobe Bryant is playing. There are at least three players that are permanently out for the season that should have started in the lineup leaving only less than stellar bench players to hold up the scoring drive for the team during a game. If your team is short-handed then the opposition does not have to excel to beat you in a game. They simply have to outlast you and tire your team out because the remaining players on your team will have to work harder to keep up. The opposing team has too many options to win. They can out run you, or beat you at the post position, or make you foul them so they get more free throws, or beat you in the positions you are deficient in. Laker team mates of Kobe Bryant are starting to play more selfishly to try to keep their stats up so they may have a chance of staying in the NBA next season. There is no point in passing to Kobe since his percentage shooting is low. This does not bode well for getting an assist.