1. Limiting Kobe’s shot total
Kobe isn’t the 27-year-old high flyer that he used to be, and with one of the most talented Laker squads in recent history, the other weapons have to be utilized. I recognize Lakers Nation is a little sensitive when it comes to our hero Kobe Bryant, but the numbers don’t lie. As a seasoned Kobe takes more shots in games where the Lakers are underperforming as a team, the results don’t end as pretty as they used to.
With a 26-11 record, the eleven losses have come with Kobe taking close to 24 shots per game. The second most frequent shot taker in those scenarios is Pau, with a mere 13.2 shots per game. Kobe’s shooting percentages also trend downwards, from about 47% in wins to 41% in losses. In the more disconcerting losses, looking back on the shot totals makes you cringe.
In the Lakers’ first loss of the season in Denver, Kobe took an astonishing 32 shots, making only 11. He was also 3 for 10 from deep, most of those coming when the game was within reach in the closing minutes. In an embarrassing home loss to Indiana, Kobe was a stark 14 for 33. Of a fresher memory, in the Lakers’ first encounter with San Antonio he missed 19 of 27 shots.
Most of these came during a frustrating stretch of the game where the Lakers could not set up any offense, but instead just watch Kobe throw up brick after brick and let the game slip away. Don’t take this the wrong way: no one is more crucial to Los Angeles sports or has done more for the city than Kobe Bryant. To take from the Dodgers’ mantra, Los Angeles is HIS town, but it is undeniable that he takes some ill-advised shots when the game begins to slip instead of deferring to teammates. He has openly admitted that when he feels the offense slip away, he takes the responsibility of doing more to try to get his teammates into it.
Kobe has seen his fair share of injuries, and to put more stress on a withering knee and a finger that he is still trying to get used to shoot with is irresponsible. The Lakers shouldn’t lean on Kobe to bail us out and make circus shots anymore, but instead rely on him to become the all-dangerous playmaker of which we’ve seen glimpses. Bolstering the bench, utilizing a healthy Bynum and asking more of Lamar Odom should be the concern. Not to mention that 3 years ago the heavens opened and awarded the city a 7-foot Spaniard, and its due time the Lakers involve him more in the offense.
