Kobe's scoring numbers are down by design. He's sacrificing his stats for to win as a team. I think he could average 35 if he wanted, don't you?
you guys are so black and white about things. these two teams will be making a run for the finals for years to come, portland has a great core of young guys, who are great players, the lakers have bynum, another great young player, along with ariza, farmar, powell. lakers also have kobe and pau, two extraordinary players, who arent going to fade anytime soon. jut because kobe is scoring less, doesnt mean he has declined, if you truly beleive that then you havent learned enough about nba basketball, look at the game, not the stats. look at how jordan transformed his game, at a young age he was a highflying acrobatic scorer, later in his career, he began to defeat opponents with his knowledge of the game, he outsmarted players, making it possible to score just as well with jumpshots rather then penitrating the lane. he also became a better playmaker, and used all of his knowledge of the game, and of life to find a way for hi team to win. thats why he's the greatest, he adjusted to every obstacle in his path. kobe is so blatantly using this same 'technique' in his career, look at how much he has matured in the lat few years, he's not a kid anymore, and he is so widely respected all around the league, even lebron looks up to him. he is doing what jordan did, he has always been a student of the game, but now he's watching even more game tape, using strategie much more effectively, he is one of the smartest players in the game. he doesnt need to be the high flying, 30 points per game guy he has been his whole career, even though he is still 3rd in points per 48 minutes. and look at his defense, fantastic as always, maybe even better. kobe looks ahead of himself, he sees what difficulties lay before him and he works his way around them. plus he is like the biggest health nut, the way he has looked after himself (well maybe not his hands,lol) as of late is astounding, he is so immensly fit, this isnt any other 30 Y/O bball player man. anyway, what about the hornets? you know theyre gonna be around for a while. you cant say that portlaand are going to be the bees knees because PTI said so, what the hell do they know anyway. saying something like that is completely ignorant and really arrogant, and that isnt going to get your team any further. the way i see it, the lakers are going to be just as good, if not better, by the time portland come around, just look at how bostons toughness and experience earned us a loss in the finals. it will be the same story, book it! all you have to do is look at the history man, and you'll find your answer.
