it seems as though the Lakers lose the lead (really big ones) and momentum whenever Kobe is on the bench. Does Kobe need to go back in attack-mode (last year) for this team to stand a chance at passing the first round, much less even makiing the playoffs?
If it takes Kobe Bryant scoring 50 points per game, then I'm officially done with this team. With made absolutely no changes in the deadline, when it was obvious we needed some help. We can't continue to rely so heavily no Kobe Bryant every single game. Sooner or later, the guy's going to wear out. He's in his prime RIGHT NOW, and it just sucks to see such great basketball coming to a waste. It seems to me like Kobe Bryant and Ronny Turiaf are the only two players on this roster that even care about winning. Everyone else is just out there playing for their paycheck. It's disgusting
I don't understand this concept of asking Kobe to do more either. You guys realize the Lakers have a much better record THIS YEAR, despite ALL the injuries, than they did last year when Kobe was having a career season. The Lakers don't really struggle on offense, it's the inability of the defense to make stops, that's causing the Lakers to lose.
my point is that maybe Kobe should stay in the game until the game is out of reach for one of the teams or if Kobe needs a minute's rest (kinda like Lebron last season). Somehow, when he's absent on the court for 5-6 minutes straight, the Lakers' lead goes from 13+ to -2.
<div class="quote_poster">authentiq Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">my point is that maybe Kobe should stay in the game until the game is out of reach for one of the teams or if Kobe needs a minute's rest (kinda like Lebron last season). Somehow, when he's absent on the court for 5-6 minutes straight, the Lakers' lead goes from 13+ to -2.</div> I understand that, but Kobe needs to rest. He's only human. I think what you're saying is to have Kobe on the court until we pull out with a sizable lead, right? Well, when was the last time we actually blew out a team. There's an age difference between Lebron and Kobe. All these seasons in the NBA may soon start to wear down Kobe, while Lebron is still fresh. If we seriously cannot let Kobe rest 5-6 minutes without holding onto a lead, then this team doesn't deserve to make the playoffs
I agree. But let's be honest, there really isn't anybody that can take over when Kobe's sitting down. WE NEED KOBE to stay on until the lead is out of reach. That, or no playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">authentiq Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I agree. But let's be honest, there really isn't anybody that can take over when Kobe's sitting down. WE NEED KOBE to stay on until the lead is out of reach. That, or no playoffs.</div> I understand that, but why should we wear down Kobe? If we have to rely on Kobe that much just to make the playoffs, then we don't deserve to be in it in the first place. Even if we make it, we'd probably get eliminated in 4 games. I just can't wait until every gets healthy....
<div class="quote_poster">authentiq Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">my point is that maybe Kobe should stay in the game until the game is out of reach for one of the teams or if Kobe needs a minute's rest (kinda like Lebron last season). Somehow, when he's absent on the court for 5-6 minutes straight, the Lakers' lead goes from 13+ to -2.</div> Well there lies the dilemma the Lakers and Kobe are facing. The Lakers and Kobe build a lead, only to watch the second unit squander it. The job of any team's second unit is to maintain a lead or build upon it. This second unit blew a 7 point lead last night within 2 minutes. At what point do you consider a game out of reach, when your second unit is this ineffective? PJax is forced to save Kobe for a 6 minute surge to close out games because of the Laker bench.
I remember at one point of the season, our second unit used to be awesome. Of course that was before all the injuries, and Odom was playing like an All-Star....
which is whj i believe Kobe should start taking matters into his own hands and dominating the ball like he did last year, especially since his teammates aren't showing up night in and night out like he is.
Let's shave 2 years off his prime so he can play 48 minutes a night and do all of the scoring. How about no. There is a reason why his defense is bad this year, it's because he still has to exert a lot offensively. What we need is a second option and consistent play.
<div class="quote_poster">authentiq Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I agree. But let's be honest, there really isn't anybody that can take over when Kobe's sitting down. WE NEED KOBE to stay on until the lead is out of reach. That, or no playoffs.</div>How about no. With all the health issues we've had this year, doing this to Kobe would likely add to them. We can't afford to play him 45-48 minutes a game, or keep him in there until we're up double digits. What happens if the game stays close all the way through and we never pull ahead? Are you going to keep him in at that stage, just to get a lead, or are you going to put him to the bench and get him some rest. Playing Kobe all game or until we have a huge lead is simply illogical. He's going to burn out and will be less effective later in the game when we need, as well as on defense and it'll leave him more open to injury. Doing this would be insanely dumb.
you're missing my point. I didn't mean him playing 45-48 per game. I simply meant he should stay in the game longer unless they're getting blown out or they're beating the team pretty bad. In between that time, he should take a quick breather, rather than those 5-6 minute rests than Phil puts him. He'll probably play around 41 minutes per game which isn't all too much.
Lol, you're missing the point. Kobe's already playing 40 MPG, how much more do you want him to play? And if we're "missing" the point, then you severely mislabeled the thread title. The point is, if Kobe is supposed to play 43-48 MPG, then we're going to shave years off his prime.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">And if we're "missing" the point, then you severely mislabeled the thread title.</div> It got you guys in the thread so that's what matters. I feel you on Kobe shaving off his prime, i'm sure no Laker fan wants that. I'm saying thatmaybe Phil should put Kobe back in when he feels a sudden surge by the other team and Kobe should start being the "Kobe" of last year rather than trying to make this team work it out (since they obviously have not shown signs of it). I really don't think him playing an extra minute or two would shave off his prime.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Let's shave 2 years off his prime so he can play 48 minutes a night and do all of the scoring. How about no. There is a reason why his defense is bad this year, it's because he still has to exert a lot offensively. What we need is a second option and consistent play.</div> Forgive me if I don't buy this comment. Kobe is doing significantly less on the offensive side(scoring wise) this year than last year, yet last year he was better defensively. Imo I think all Laker fans on this board, outside of a few, are getting panicky. Many fail to realize that we are PLAGUED with injury problems, and Lamar isn't even 100% yet. I mean, lets not even add on the fact that Radman has been playing with a bad SHOOTING hand. Another key point is the age of this team. A majority are still in their 20's. Inconsistency is to be expected. Seriously, I can see some of you all red faced near the screen during game threads. Take a breath and realize those key aspects of this season. So to answer the thread, no Kobe doesn't need to revert to his 05-06 form.
I like the new Kobe, but he has to start taking matters into his own hands like last year. I do think he is on the bench too much. He should be sitting on the bench once we have a big lead. There is no one that can takeover when Kobe is on the bench except maybe Walton. It seems like he knows how to control everything. We've lost 6 straight and can't afford to fall any more back in the West. Kobe has to pick it up.
<div class="quote_poster">hugelakersfan8 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I like the new Kobe, but he has to start taking matters into his own hands like last year. I do think he is on the bench too much. He should be sitting on the bench once we have a big lead. There is no one that can takeover when Kobe is on the bench except maybe Walton. It seems like he knows how to control everything. We've lost 6 straight and can't afford to fall any more back in the West. Kobe has to pick it up.</div> Thaaaaaaank you.
<div class="quote_poster">hugelakersfan8 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I like the new Kobe, but he has to start taking matters into his own hands like last year. I do think he is on the bench too much. He should be sitting on the bench once we have a big lead. There is no one that can takeover when Kobe is on the bench except maybe Walton. It seems like he knows how to control everything. We've lost 6 straight and can't afford to fall any more back in the West. Kobe has to pick it up.</div> Didn't we have a 7 point lead last game? That's when Kobe went to the bench wasn't it? How big of a lead do you want us to have before Kobe sits down? 10? When was the last time this team even lead by double digits? The guy is only human. He needs to rest. I don't think he's sitting to much, the guy is still playing a ton of minutes per game. If the second squad isn't capable of keeping a 7 point lead for a short span of minutes, then that's not Kobe's fault. Bottom line is, the guy isn't getting any younger. Pretty soon, all these minutes will add up with age
