<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">This is the NBA man, you can get away with it!"</div> Unless your name is Smush Parker
I don't think they need the old Kobe, if old Kobe is defined as last season's 35 ppg Kobe. I think it is probably best for the team if Kobe is solid and scores 24-28 ppg, and finds teammates, to improve the chemistry of the team. If Kobe has to score 35 ppg on a nightly basis, its going to increase the dependence on Kobe and limit the role of other players in the offense. As well it allows Kobe to exert some energy on defense. If the team's consistency doesn't develop during the first 60 games of the season, then it might be better for the Lakers to start focusing on having Kobe harbour the scoring load again.
