<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> EL SEGUNDO - The epiphany came to Kobe Bryant sometime last summer when he reflected upon his glorious season. He reached new heights, leading the NBA in scoring at 35.4 points per game, the eighth-highest scoring average in NBA history, good for all the accolades he could have wished for. His mostly solo act left Bryant thinking over the summer about how his teammates really hadn't grown, how the Lakers really didn't develop and how he was going to change his approach and involve his teammates more. In past years, Bryant never backed down from a one-on-one challenge. He seemingly wanted to prove he was the best, and his way of doing that was to always be on the attack, to demand the ball. "It just doesn't excite me anymore," Bryant said Tuesday. "I just don't get up for it. What I get up for is us playing well as a team and guys contributing -- like, I really get off on that. "I get off on (Brian) Cook having a big game, and Smush (Parker) and Luke (Walton) and those guys. That's what excites me. I've been there, done that, so that just doesn't get me up anymore." Bryant's scoring average is down to 27.9, still fifth best in the NBA. But he's taking fewer shots and passing more. His shots are down from 27.1 last season to 19.7. He is averaging 5.5 assists, one more than last season. And it's working: He's shooting a career-best 47.1 percent from the floor while the Lakers are shooting 47.7 percent, second best in the league. "It's just a part of becoming the leader of this ballclub and understanding what it takes to win games," Bryant said. "And accepting that as a challenge as opposed to saying, 'OK, I want to be the best basketball player in the league and for people to understand that.' It wasn't about that. My focus has shifted to becoming a leader on this team and a very good leader at that." Bryant saw what his teammates could do when afforded the opportunity in the playoffs against Phoenix. Coach Phil Jackson devised a game plan in which they would attack the Suns inside, and Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown and Walton all had solid performances. That was a turning point for Bryant. "It has helped elevate us as a team," said Bryant, who admitted he "pulled" his strained left groin Monday against the Heat, but still expects to play tonight at San Antonio. "Because I think my teammates know that I trust in them to perform well and I'm trying to get their best performance out of them. I think it heightens their confidence, and I continue to go to them and I continue to look for them on a nightly basis." </div> Source
I commend Kobe for this. On a side note: I couldn't help but laugh when he said he would "get off" on certain things. Sorry maybe I'm the only one..okay I'll shut up now. Watch me get flamed at by people.
<div class="quote_poster">DynastYWarrioR6 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I commend Kobe for this. On a side note: I couldn't help but laugh when he said he would "get off" on certain things. Sorry maybe I'm the only one..okay I'll shut up now. Watch me get flamed at by people.</div> Hahaha, I completely agree with you, that's what I thought too when I read the article. He went a little overboard with the boner talk, chill Kobe we get the point.
Last season he averaged 35.5 ppg beacuse without that, the Lakers wouldn't problably get into the playoffs. He just had to do it. He says that he wants to be a better leader, well he is a great leader. And he is still the best scorer when it's needed. 4th quarter action, when it means most...
i'm glad i'mnot the only one caught him "getting off to Brian Cook" . But i do agree, Kobe's really been great at getting everyone involved.
Wow....lots of sexual inuendos in there...anyways, I really commend Kobe for his play this season. He's proving to everyone that he can be a leader of this team and that he can defer to his teammates and make them better. If he's not at least an MVP candidate this year again, something is wrong.
Kobe play has taken his team to a better place. How far that will get them in the playoffs is a question.
