Yes, we all love a distributing Kobe, but he needs to start searching for his shot. When he's in this distribute mode, he barely shoots in the 1st half. He comes out of the half usually more aggressive, but with no rhythm. What we need is for Kobe to distribute and shoot on an even balance, so he can establish a rhythm throughout the game.
The word problem and Kobe should appear in the same sentence as often as Smush Parker and allstar, NEVER.
I remember the Kobe from last season (before the injuries). He would come out the first three quarters passing the ball and getting everyone involved, then he would come in the fourth and start shooting. I'm not saying I agree with that approach or disagree, I'm cool with it as long as we win. But I'm hoping Kobe can come out in the third and take over. I know he knows damn well that we cannot afford to lose tonight
I don't want him to change his style of play drastically, I would like for him to look for his jumper more in the 1st half of the game, that way he goes into the half with a rhythm.
I understand what you're saying and totally agree with you. However, I'm willing to bet the reason he does this is that his teammates will stand around unless they know he's in distribution mode. It seems like when they are in perfect position and he doesn't pass it on that play, they don't do it again next time down the floor. They think he will just do the same thing; this leads to turnovers when he throws them a pass they don't expect.
I do see your point there and that's were Kobe needs to step up and be vocal with his teammates and tell them that he's going to be a playmaker, but also get his shots in there so he can establish his rhythm. I hate when the team watches Kobe.
What Kobe does works when Bynum is in the game. I think he should look for his shot more while Bynum is healing.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Jan 29 2008, 11:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yes, we all love a distributing Kobe, but he needs to start searching for his shot. When he's in this distribute mode, he barely shoots in the 1st half. He comes out of the half usually more aggressive, but with no rhythm. What we need is for Kobe to distribute and shoot on an even balance, so he can establish a rhythm throughout the game.</div> +1, thats exactly what happened in the Cleveland game. during the 1st half he was distributing the ball... he was 6 - 6, 14 pts and 5 assists... that was a good balance between the 2. but it just fell down during the 4th... its either he was way too passive in the 3rd that led to him not finding any rythme in the 4th or poor shot selection
It's a tough balancing act for Kobe and PJax because they don't want the team to become dependent on Kobe again like they've been doing the last 3 seasons. The team has been trying all season to play team ball on offense and even though the team could use more of Kobe scoring, they don't want to disrupt the flow they built in the early part of the season. It's really up to Kobe's teammates to have confidence in their abilities, have an aggressive mentality on offense, and constantly move around to create high percentage open looks. I still think too, much is made over our offense. Our real struggles are on the defensive side of the ball. We have a hard time getting defensive stops when we need them and we've allowed a lot of low scoring teams to go off on us. Sonics, Cavs, and Knicks recently are all low percentage scoring teams, but they managed to put up a lot of points on us and worked us on the glass.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Jan 30 2008, 12:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It's a tough balancing act for Kobe and PJax because they don't want the team to become dependent on Kobe again like they've been doing the last 3 seasons. The team has been trying all season to play team ball on offense and even though the team could use more of Kobe scoring, they don't want to disrupt the flow they built in the early part of the season. It's really up to Kobe's teammates to have confidence in their abilities, have an aggressive mentality on offense, and constantly move around to create high percentage open looks. I still think too, much is made over our offense. Our real struggles are on the defensive side of the ball. We have a hard time getting defensive stops when we need them and we've allowed a lot of low scoring teams to go off on us. Sonics, Cavs, and Knicks recently are all low percentage scoring teams, but they managed to put up a lot of points on us and worked us on the glass.</div> People worry too much about Kobe playing perfectly, what we forget is that LA was 24th in defensive efficiency last year, and that's the real reason why we collapsed later on. Phil needs to be defensive-minded and worry about Luke's and Andrew's replacements being able to contain opponents; or at least refrain from moving Kobe to the 3 or what not.
I honestly don't care how Kobe plays, as long as we get the W. If he can get 20 and 10assts and we win, that's fine. If it takes him going for 50, fine. I just think the key is going to be for Kobe to determine early on the way he has to play. If others are knocking down their shots, I don't see a reason for Kobe to force the issue. If his team is struggling, shoot the ball a little more. That's how I think he should look at it.
I think games that really matter, ie playoffs, Kobe should take on a larger scoring role. But regular season games, he should try to let teammates have a bigger role in the offense, so they can practice and develop more and get better chemisry. It also gives Kobe a little more rest.
