<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant had trouble shooting from the floor but not from the line. Bryant made 11-of-12 free throws, including a go-ahead pair with 7.2 seconds left, as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to edge the Charlotte Bobcats, 99-98. Bryant, who is second in the NBA in scoring but averages better than 29 shots per game, scored 29 points on just 9-of-30 shooting. However, his aggression on offense helped the Lakers improve to 4-0 all-time against the Bobcats. Charlotte held just a 96-90 lead before Brian Cook made a jumper and a 3-pointer, the latter with 1:27 remaining, to make it a one-point game. Gerald Wallace missed a 3-pointer for the Bobcats, but the rebound was tipped to Keith Bogans, who made a layup with 1:06 left for a 98-95 lead. The teams traded empty possessions before Bryant was fouled and sank two free throws with 17 seconds left. But veteran Brevin Knight - a 79 percent free-throw shooter who had sank 3-of-4 in the contest - missed a pair from the line with 11 seconds to play, giving the Lakers a chance to take the lead. Bryant took advantage of the opportunity, driving to the basket and drawing a foul from Bernard Robinson. After his two free throws gave Los Angeles a 99-98 lead, Knight pushed the ball upcourt and dished to Wallace on the left wing. Wallace shot an airball that may have been tipped by Luke Walton. The rebound went to Bogans, but the guard's follow shot at the buzzer was blocked by 7-footer Chris Mihm, who appeared to get away with contact. Mihm collected 21 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who have won two of three after losing four of five. Reserve Melvin Ely scored 20 points and Knight added 19 for the Bobcats, who are a league-worst 1-10 on the road. Charlotte had opened an 81-71 advantage on a jumper by former Laker Jumaine Jones with 9:23 to play. Los Angeles embarked on a 15-5 run, tying the game on two free throws by Sasha Vujacic with 6:06 to play. </div> Source Box score Phew! Kobe shot like crap, Parker didn't seem to do much, Odom had a double -double with 10 rebounds and 11 assists, but only 7 points. Mihm had 21.
I don't really think Kobe's shot selection was the problem in this game, for the most part they were pretty good and high% shots. His shots were just flatting flat and short, most even rattling out.
Kobe had better shot selection in this game, but his shots weren't falling. Not to make an excuse for him, but I think there's more to his hand injury he suffered in Atlanta, than the team is admitting to. Another close game for the Lakers, and they pulled out a much needed win. This homestand was brutal for the Lakers, and now they head out on a 6 game road trip. Amazing clutch shots by Vujacic to get the team back into the game. The Lakers fell down by 10 points early in the 4th, and then went on a 15-5 run and finally took the lead. Laron Profit also came up big on the defensive end near the end of the game. He had a key steal, and a key block to seal the victory for the Lakers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe had better shot selection in this game, but his shots weren't falling. Not to make an excuse for him, but I think there's more to his hand injury he suffered in Atlanta, than the team is admitting to. Another close game for the Lakers, and they pulled out a much needed win. This homestand was brutal for the Lakers, and now they head out on a 6 game road trip. Amazing clutch shots by Vujacic to get the team back into the game. The Lakers fell down by 10 points early in the 4th, and then went on a 15-5 run and finally took the lead. Laron Profit also came up big on the defensive end near the end of the game. He had a key steal, and a key block to seal the victory for the Lakers.</div> I don't think there is more to the injury than they are letting on. He hurt his hand and is playing through it.. but he shoots 50% and then he shoots 30%... its not just his hand.
It's his index finger, and when you can't get a good feel for the ball, it's hard to put touch on it. Last night Kobe's shot selection was solid, but he just wasn't converting baskets he normally makes. They kept spinning out of the rim or they came up short. He was more aggressive getting inside last night and managed to get to the line 12 times. Most players take a few games off when they injure their index finger, but Kobe is trying to play through it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">It's his index finger, and when you can't get a good feel for the ball, it's hard to put touch on it. Last night Kobe's shot selection was solid, but he just wasn't converting baskets he normally makes. They kept spinning out of the rim or they came up short. He was more aggressive getting inside last night and managed to get to the line 12 times. Most players take a few games off when they injure their index finger, but Kobe is trying to play through it.</div> I realize that and kudos to him... but how do you explain him shooting 50% or getting getting 30 points in the second half of games on incredible jump shooting if its bothering him that much? Anyways... my point is maybe we are over-analyzing this.. it might just be that Kobe had an off-shooting night. Every player has one and sometimes players go into a small funk and shoot badly for a stretch of games. I suspect Kobe will find his rythm again. He has also said that his legs are tired and that he normally feels tired at this same time in the season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Fiyah:</div><div class="quote_post">I realize that and kudos to him... but how do you explain him shooting 50% or getting getting 30 points in the second half of games on incredible jump shooting if its bothering him that much? Anyways... my point is maybe we are over-analyzing this.. it might just be that Kobe had an off-shooting night. Every player has one and sometimes players go into a small funk and shoot badly for a stretch of games. I suspect Kobe will find his rythm again. He has also said that his legs are tired and that he normally feels tired at this same time in the season.</div> When he's shooting 50%, his shots are higher percentage field goals and not shots with two or three defenders on him. Once Kobe gets into his rhythm, it's impossible to stop him and the adrenaline takes over causing the injury to hurt less. He got injured in the Hawks game, and since then his field goal % has tanked. Combine the sore index finger with poor shot selection and it explains his 9-33, 7-27, type performances. And of course, defenses have made adjustments to make life difficult for #8. The last two games, his teammates have been making teams pay for cheating over to Kobe, and Kobe is getting players the ball when they are in the right spot. His chemistry with Brian Cook has really developed, and Cookie is draining those perimeter shots. I think Kobe needs to accept the fact his finger is causing him to be off more than on, and he needs to start making the extra pass. I'm tired of seeing him dribble, hand the ball off, and then run right back to the person he just passed it to, and get it back. Those plays drive me crazy because it disrupts the movement of everyone else and leads to a poor shot by Kobe.
