What Should Kobe Improve on Next Season?

As good as Kobe is, no player is without their flaws. Every player has their strengths and their weaknessess. Not even MJ was perfect. With that being said, what areas / aspects of Kobe's game do you want to see him improve on?

For me, I would love to see him stop shooting so many threes

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">As good as Kobe is, no player is without their flaws. Every player has their strengths and their weaknessess. Not even MJ was perfect. With that being said, what areas / aspects of Kobe's game do you want to see him improve on?

For me, I would love to see him stop shooting so many threes</div>

I agree, I think he should attack the basket more. But when Kobe is on he is on.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Lakers4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree, I think he should attack the basket more. But when Kobe is on he is on.</div>
The only problem I have with Kobe attacking the basket is whenever he gets fouled, he gets no calls. Sooner or later players will just be going around wacking him in the face and getting a way with it.

 

I think he just needs to get the rest of the guys involved more. And if they're not producing, take over the way he did often times last year. I don't want him playing the way he did in game 7 though, trying too much to get players involved when no one was producing. If his teammates aren't producing, do something about it. Talk to them about it or just take over.

With his three ball shooting, as long as he's knocking em down the way he did last year, I'm pretty ok with him taking them. But, it would nice to see him slash to the lane a little more and take a few more mid rangers. If he did that, his shooting percentage could be near 50%.

Outside of this, that's about it. I don't know how much better he could really be. It's sad to say that I think he'll be better if his points per game goes back down to the 25-30 range, but that should be the case. Essentially, if he can do that and the Lakers are still winning, that means others are getting involved, and that's something I want to see.

 

I see him averaging 28ppg with the addition of Vladimir Radmanovic and soon to be announced Harrington. The acquisition of Harrington will cap off a Lakers off season in which they’ve added a considerable amount of scoring to their team, easing the load on the shoulders of Kobe Bryant.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Lakers4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">I see him averaging 28ppg with the addition of Vladimir Radmanovic and soon to be announced Harrington. The acquisition of Harrington will cap off a Lakers off season in which they’ve added a considerable amount of scoring to their team, easing the load on the shoulders of Kobe Bryant.</div>
The Lakers are not going to get Harrington. Where did you hear this from? No way will the trio of Odom, Harrington, and Vladman work. All three want to start, but it is almost guarenteed that one of them will have to move to the bench. Odom has been pretty much been guarenteed a starting job, and before Vladman signed with the Lakers, he also got guarenteed that he will start. That leaves Harrington to go on the bench, which he will obviously not be too happy about. I don't understand the love fest with Harrington. The guy isn't even a true foward. He plays bad defense, and he has absolutely no jump shot, which means he will only be effective with the ball. Tell me how that's going to work when you also have guys like Kobe, Odom, and Vladman on the roster. Plus, Harrington is most likely to demand a huge contract, which is definetly not something I would give anyone with his level of talent.

Forget Harrington.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">The Lakers are not going to get Harrington. Where did you hear this from? No way will the trio of Odom, Harrington, and Vladman work. All three want to start, but it is almost guarenteed that one of them will have to move to the bench. Odom has been pretty much been guarenteed a starting job, and before Vladman signed with the Lakers, he also got guarenteed that he will start. That leaves Harrington to go on the bench, which he will obviously not be too happy about. I don't understand the love fest with Harrington. The guy isn't even a true foward. He plays bad defense, and he has absolutely no jump shot, which means he will only be effective with the ball. Tell me how that's going to work when you also have guys like Kobe, Odom, and Vladman on the roster. Plus, Harrington is most likely to demand a huge contract, which is definetly not something I would give anyone with his level of talent</div>


Brian Brian Brian! Can you say 6th man of the year? The Lakers will most likely get Al on a four year deal in 7-8 million dollar ball park with a fifth year option. L.A is the most logical choice at this point, as Al could make up at least some of the money per year he?s missing out in endorsement deals in LA.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Lakers4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">Brian Brian Brian! Can you say 6th man of the year? The Lakers will most likely get Al on a four year deal in 7-8 million dollar ball park with a fifth year option. L.A is the most logical choice at this point, as Al could make up at least some of the money per year he’s missing out in endorsement deals in LA.</div>
Al is demanding big bucks from what I am hearing. 7-8 million a year won't cut it. The guy thinks he is a superstar in this league, and I am positive he won't except that offer. Even if he does, he will not be comfortable coming off the bench. Mark my words. After being the focal point for the Atlanta Hawks for the past couple of seasons, there is no way he will even think about coming off the bench. Plus, where in the world do you get enough minutes to satisfy Odom, Vladman, AND Harrington? Not to mention we also have Luke Walton. Like I said, Harrington is not a good fit for the Lakers. He is a good offensive weapon (needs the ball to be effective), but offense is the least of our worries. He plays bad defense, and like I said, he demands the ball to be effective. How are we going to keep Kobe, Odom, Vladman, AND Harrington happy with one ball? How are Odom, Vladman, AND Harrington going to split the 48 minutes?

 

what about trading odom for harrington childress and josh smith

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">Al is demanding big bucks from what I am hearing. 7-8 million a year won't cut it. The guy thinks he is a superstar in this league, and I am positive he won't except that offer. Even if he does, he will not be comfortable coming off the bench. Mark my words. After being <font color=""DarkOrchid"">the focal point for the Atlanta Hawks for the past couple of seasons, there is no way he will even think about coming off the bench.</font> Plus, where in the world do you get enough minutes to satisfy Odom, Vladman, AND Harrington? Not to mention we also have Luke Walton. Like I said, Harrington is not a good fit for the Lakers. He is a good offensive weapon (needs the ball to be effective), but offense is the least of our worries. He plays bad defense, and like I said, he demands the ball to be effective. How are we going to keep Kobe, Odom, Vladman, AND Harrington happy with one ball? How are Odom, Vladman, AND Harrington going to split the 48 minutes?</div>

He will back up Odom at the 4 and Luke will back up Radman at the 3.

<font color=""DarkOrchid""><font color=""black"">This is the Los Angeles Lakers we're talking about. So what if he was the focal point in Atlanta.</font></font>

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Lakers4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">He will back Odom at the 4 and Luke will back up Radman at the 3.

<font color=""DarkOrchid""><font color=""black"">This is the Los Angeles Lakers we're talking about. So what if he was the focal point in Atlanta.</font></font></div>
It's not as easy said as done. If Harrington backs up Odom at the 4, then how do you split the minutes? Both players want to play, and if they dont get their minutes they will complain. Do we give them 24 minutes each? How do you think they will respond to that. If anything, this will just cause more headaches in the locker room, not to mention Harrington isn't even a true power forward. With Harrington playing at the 4, we will be a huge liability on defense.

So what if he was the focal point in Atlanta? Well, lets see, Harrington thinks he is a big superstar in the league, and he wants to get treated like one. Take Antawn Jamison for example. The main reason why he was traded was because he didn't want to come off the bench for Dallas. I see the same situation happening with Harrington.

You also failed to point out why Harrington will help us. What we need is defense, not more offensive weapons. Harrington helps us no way on defense. If anything, he is a liability because of his size and his lack of position. You also failed to point out how we will have enough touches to spread around between Kobe, Odom, Vladman, and Harrington.

 

Yeah, I reeeeaaaally don't care for Harrington... we need size and defense right now, he really doesn't bring either. I agree completely with Brian here.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting philip2136:</div><div class="quote_post">what about trading odom for harrington childress and josh smith</div>

Wow, atl would NEVER do this. Josh smith arguably has more value than odom. It seems like atlanta is treating him as a pretty much untouchable, and childress is nice.

 

If he plays like he did against Phoenix, I don't really see what else he could do to improve. He still averaged 28 PPG while getting his teammate's involved a lot and shot efficiently.

 

He needs to be a better GM and surround himself with more talent.

 

Where in the hell did you get this Harrington rumor? There's no way we can get him. He costs too much money, and beyond that, Atlanta has STRESSED that they DO NOT want contracts in return for him. They are looking to move him to a team that has a rather large trade exception, that way they have to take on as few contracts as possible.

Beyond this, there's no way we'd have enough minutes to satisfy everyone. Odom is NOT going to go from playing 41mpg last year to 33 or so this year to satisfy what Harrington will need. Beyond that, Vlad isn't going to want to lose minutes to Harrington either, especially considered he was guaranteed to get a huge chunk of minutes. By now, I'm pretty sure he's sick of only getting 25mpg, and as far as I know, he should be getting quite a bit more than that, as long as he's producing.

In all, bringing in Harrington makes NO SENSE whatsoever. He'd create a logjam in trying to get people minutes, we'd have to give up too much for him, Atlanta doesn't want contracts, and lastly, he doesn't even fit. He's to small to play PF and he doesn't have a good enough jumper to play SF. He'd have no place on this team and I want no part of him.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post">He needs to be a better GM and surround himself with more talent.</div>

They need to do it now too! Kobe's clock is ticking!!

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">I think he just needs to get the rest of the guys involved more. And if they're not producing, take over the way he did often times last year. I don't want him playing the way he did in game 7 though, trying too much to get players involved when no one was producing. If his teammates aren't producing, do something about it. Talk to them about it or just take over.</div>
He's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. Haters criticize Kobe for being a ballhog when he takes over the game, and then Kobe also gets criticized for being to unselfish.

In response to his Game 7 performance, Kobe said on TNT that he stuck with the game plan that the coaching staff drew up. The plan was to keep everyone involved and let the team beat the Suns. A one man show putting up big numbers is futile against the league's most effecient offense.

In Game 4, Kobe stuck with the game plan that ultimately led to a thrilling victory.

In Game 6, Kobe put up 50 pts and the Lakers still lost.

If anyone deserves criticism for Kobe's Game 7 performance, its Phil Jackson for sticking with that game plan. But even then, it was the best game plan that we had.

 

Phil Jackson: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I've cost us alot of games"</div>

 

I think he needs to drive to the basket more. He already has the ability and he used to do it alot earlier in his career. This way he can get the opponents in foul trouble andI don't blame him for not doing it as much though as he doesn't get as many calls as he should. I think he should probably try to get his teammates involved a little more, making a few extra passes in the game.