Kobe has been my favorite player in the League since the 97/98 season that Jordan retired, even though he is playing alright, I am somewhat disappointed in his play so far this season, especially with his shooting.. Given that he just beat a court case that could have taken his livelihood and personal freedom away, along with any other personal issues that he has in his life, you can give him some leeway, but since this is his first season with Shaq not in the middle, which is what he wanted for years, taking both shots and clogging the lane, I expected him to jump out of the gate early and aggressivley, and he has not done that. The season just started and he has had to adjust to not having presence of Shaq taking pressure off of him and defenses focusing fully on him, now we can see how good Kobe is, and how could he could really be on his own. With his talent, and now that Shaq is gone, in my opinion, these are the numbers that he could be putting up, in comparision with what he is putting up so far. Parentheses PPG 30-35(26.8) RPG 6+(6.90) APG 6+(6.8) SPG 2(1.29) BPG 1(1.35) FG% 50%(40%) FT% 85%(81%) 3Pt FG% 35%(31%) TO(4,5) His rebounding and passing has improved, but his offense, which is vital to the Lakers' success, is not where it should be. <u>Strength</u> Exceptional Athlete(Speed, Quickness, Leaping Ability, Strength) Exceptional Defender Solid Passer, but could still use improvement Ball Handling Mid Range Game Free Throw Shooting <u>Weaknesses</u> Shot Selection Turnover Rate Improved Post Up Game(Jump Hooks, Drop Steps, etc.) Offensive Attitude(Needs to be more aggressive) His shot selection is his weakest part of his game. I do not know why he takes such bad shots. He can do basically anything he wants to on the court 1 on 1 against basically everybody, but still, he doesn't, and I know that it is not due to his competition at his position. That is one of the biggest distinctions between Michael and Kobe when Michael was at Kobe's age, MJ was alot more agressive offensively, and had a more domineering persona that made his opponents fear him. From what I have seen, his only real competition comes from 3 players at his position. Tracy McGrady(His best pure competition) Ray Allen Vince Carter(when he actually applies himself) LeBron James(Still too young though) these are the best 3 players in these two categories(Not in any ranking order) Most Dominant Players 1. Shaquille O'Neal 2. Tim Duncan 3. Kevin Garnett Best Players-All Around 1. Kobe Bryant 2. Tracy McGrady 3. Kevin Garnett Kobe to me, with Shaq now gone, he should establish himself as the best player in the league. The Time is Now.
Honestly, I believe that Kobe's biggest problem is the media. Kobe is criticized for not passing to Shaq...for not sharing the ball, pretty much...so he's doing what he can to do just that. However, he can't share it all the time. When he gets double-teamed, he gets caught up in the air and throws a terrible pass...when he should just drive out of it (because he IS able to do this) and then either make a pass or take it to the paint, penetrate or dunk...whatever. But...Kobe's trying to play like a PG...when he's not. Well, this is where the Lakers can be at fault, also, because Chucky Atkins can't pass at all...and Tierre makes bad passes also. If the Lakers had a pure PG that was a pass-first guard...we'd be in better shape. Kobe's aggression hasn't shown, unless it's on a single play (burning AK47, blocking Allen, dunking on Howard, etc)...but the difference between Kobe and Jordan is that Jordan took the game over in the 4th, but Kobe doesn't attempt to do that until LATE in the 4th, when it's already too late. I don't know if this is Rudy's decision or what. About his shot selection...it's pretty much in the same boat. Kobe can't make the decision...when to pass, when to shoot...so he ends up receiving the ball with less than 5 on the shot clock, which is not enough time to create for himself. That ends up in a bad shot...and that's why his shooting percentage is down. I think it's time for Buss/Kupchak/Kobe to recruit a pass-first PG, but one that is better than Atkins. Backup-material can't cut it. Also, Kobe needs to make up his mind as to whether he's a PG or an SG...and how to use his teammates effectively when he's looking to pass the ball. He's got to remember that he can't pass the ball like he did with Shaq...most of these guys are young and have no clue when the pass will reach their hands, which results in turnovers. How many lobs have you seen for Kobe? Not very many, compared to those that he threw for Shaq. Now, Kobe is the man to get up for them...so where's the other half? Kobe can't do things by himself...and not a single player can. Someone else has to be involved.
personally, i think he's making up for his shooting percentage and his sub 30 ppg with the increase in assists, and of course the intangibles he brings every night figure if he was averaging 5 apg, rather than th 7 hes getting now, thats @ least 4 less points per game from the rest of the team. add that to his scoring and hes @ around 30. so it all evens out like that. and plus he always brings intensity on defense (spg arent a true indicator of defensive skill, otherwise allen iverson would be considered a good defender. kobe shuts people down, rather than just playing risky on D). not to mention the clutchness he has every night. despite his seemingly bad shot selection, it seems like he almost always hits them when it counts (shaq reference anyone?)
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I think it's time for Buss/Kupchak/Kobe to recruit a pass-first PG, but one that is better than Atkins. Backup-material can't cut it. Also, Kobe needs to make up his mind as to whether he's a PG or an SG...and how to use his teammates effectively when he's looking to pass the ball. He's got to remember that he can't pass the ball like he did with Shaq...most of these guys are young and have no clue when the pass will reach their hands, which results in turnovers. </div> Larry Hughes Free Agent Next Years, Good Defender Good Ball Handler Can Shoot Drive To The Basket. Could be a good pick up for the Laker's, He is young and has been getting better which means he can get better and he could be a good for the Laker's. Free Agent unrestricted next year. I think he would be a perfect fit.
I think I would get Larry Hughes out of your head if he keeps playing how he is in Washington because they finally have a winning season and I think Pollin will ok Grunfeld to dish out the cash to keep him this offseason if the Wizards make the playoffs. As for Kobe, he is running the point when he is a 2 guard. We need a real true pg, Atkins is back up material and is a better shooter than passer. Brown, well he has erratic passes that hurt the team. Kobe's FG% is down because of him having to take shots with 6 seconds or left on the Shot Clock. Once Odom steps his game up I expect every statistical category to go up for Kobe, he will start getting better looks, he will have more time on the clock to create his shot because defenses will have to worry about Lamar.
Billa...Larry Hughes would be nice to have, but I don't know how well him and Kobe would get along. Plus, getting Hughes would involve Odom, because the Wiz won't want George or our scrubs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">I think I would get Larry Hughes out of your head if he keeps playing how he is in Washington because they finally have a winning season and I think Pollin will ok Grunfeld to dish out the cash to keep him this offseason if the Wizards make the playoffs. </div> Laker's need a point guard and a good one were not going to get one for 2 million a year, we probably are going to have to bring in somebody expecting the big bucks, I mean did you expect to get somebody absolutely great for 385k a year? You know and I know the Laker's are willing to pay the player's the money they want if they earn it, Hughes is earning it and the Laker's can and are 100% capable of making a run for him. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Billa...Larry Hughes would be nice to have, but I don't know how well him and Kobe would get along.</div> Free Agent next year, wait for him, hey if he gets contracts from the Lakers and the Wizards, who would you play for...Lakers.
Trust me you do not want Larry Hughes playing PG, he is much better as a two guard becuase he likes his shots, on defense though he and Kobe would make an absolutely SICK backcourt and with hIm, Kobe, and Rush..that would be one sick defensive unit, although I just dont see it happening...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Trust me you do not want Larry Hughes playing PG, he is much better as a two guard becuase he likes his shots, on defense though he and Kobe would make an absolutely SICK backcourt and with hIm, Kobe, and <strike>Rush</strike>..that would be one sick defensive unit, although I just dont see it happening...</div> Except Rush is wearing orange now.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Trust me you do not want Larry Hughes playing PG, he is much better as a two guard becuase he likes his shots, on defense though he and Kobe would make an absolutely SICK backcourt and with hIm, Kobe, and Rush..that would be one sick defensive unit, although I just dont see it happening...</div> exactly, if you look at the stats hughes excelled last year when in the sg spot, but when arenas went down and he had to take the point he blundered
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Except Rush is wearing orange now. </div> And I def. meant Butler..my bad
Give him time. Although they didn't get along so much; I still think that losing Shaq has affected him greatly. For they had a playing style; the triangular offense. Plus he doesn't have the help of his friend due his being down but perhaps not out; with that person being none other than the Mailman. Kobe seemed to always smile whenever he and Malone were together on the court so that may be an x-factor of some sort. A morale issue if you will. Extending on a point said before; it definitely is the media. The team has undergone major changes. Less depth; less reliability; so many young players. There's just so much burden and responsibility put on Kobe now that someone so dominant; that being Shaq....is gone. Odom too is still having to adjust; let us remember he is naturally a SF.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Billa_Bong:</div><div class="quote_post">Laker's need a point guard and a good one were not going to get one for 2 million a year, we probably are going to have to bring in somebody expecting the big bucks, I mean did you expect to get somebody absolutely great for 385k a year? You know and I know the Laker's are willing to pay the player's the money they want if they earn it, Hughes is earning it and the Laker's can and are 100% capable of making a run for him. Free Agent next year, wait for him, hey if he gets contracts from the Lakers and the Wizards, who would you play for...Lakers.</div> If he were a free agent today, I think he'd much rather play for Washington. But hey, I'm not going to say anything on Washingtons behalf, because I thought they were going to make the playoffs last year.
I just read that post over by Billa...and I think we all have to remember that Larry Hughes isn't going to play for minimum...and our MLE allows us the $5 million, which he won't take, either. Hughes won't be wearing purple and gold unless we trade for him, and I'd rather not get rid of Odom or Butler.
Kobe is going to get there, this is his first time being the "man" for his team so it may take him a while adjust. As for Larry Hughes, if the Lakers are looking for a pass first PG, then it should be him. Hughes is not a floor leader, he cant really run an offense because he is a primary 2 guard, he is a versatile player, but not the type of guard they need to pair with Kobe. If the Lakers are looking for a nice pass first point guard I guy like Jeff McInnis (who is a free agent next year), who last year almost lead the Cavs to the playoffs last season. It may be tough, because I am sure the Cavs will want him back because he is a team captain.
Did I just hear Larry Hughes at PG? :laugh" Do the Lakers have cap space because you're not going to get Hughes at the MLE also , he's going to start out at at least 6-7 million, so I don't think Hughes is in the picture for the Lakers, and even then it's a horrible idea. Also this is as a pass first PG? PASS FIRST? Larry Hughes, I don't know how the thought of him being that kind of player happened.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Trust me you do not want Larry Hughes playing PG, he is much better as a two guard becuase he likes his shots, on defense though he and Kobe would make an absolutely SICK backcourt and with hIm, Kobe, and Rush..that would be one sick defensive unit, although I just dont see it happening...</div> I'm sure you watch more Wizard games then I ever will, but has Larry Hughes defense improved that much? When he was with the Warriors, he had a rep as being one of the worst defensive players in the league... Nonetheless, the Lakers can do without him. They need a pure PG, not another combo guard
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm sure you watch more Wizard games then I ever will, but has Larry Hughes defense improved that much? When he was with the Warriors, he had a rep as being one of the worst defensive players in the league...</div> well he does lead the league in steals...by a .7 margin over the second person (tinsley) too
