What Should Kobe Improve on Next Season?

The area I'd like to see Kobe improve on is his defense and rebounding. A couple of seasons ago he was right in the mix crashing the boards instead of leaking out on offense. He picked up this bad habit during Rudy T's coaching year because Rudy likes his guards to release when a shot goes up to create fastbreak opportunities.

The Triangle offense doesn't require guards to get out on the break. It's a halfcourt set, so the key is getting possession and taking high percentage shots. Kwame Brown isn't much of a rebounder, similar to Shaq, so Kobe needs to help Odom out on the glass. Kobe has a quick vertical leap so even if he doesn't grab the board he can tip it to a teammate.

Kobe is a great defender, but he doesn't put as much focus on it when he guards the 3rd or 4th tier players in the league. Trenton Hassell was lighting Kobe up last year because Kobe didn't respect his ability to hit the 15 footer and cheated off of him. Obviously, it's not smart to use the same energy on defense for every player he defends, but Kobe can't let a player like Hassell find rhythm and get confidence by giving him open looks.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SkiptoMyLue11:</div><div class="quote_post">He needs to have better players arround him, and once he has better players around him be willing to give up a few FGA per game for these players.

Otherwise his offense and defense skills are about as good as it gets.</div>

Agreed, and for Laker fans we have to cross our fingers and hope the offseason moves we've made was a step in improving the overall depth.

Radman was arguably the best shooter in the free agent market and he can step right in and fill a void in the Laker's offensive attack. Kobe Bryant and PJax both pushed for management to sign him, so there shouldn't be any reason for Kobe not to trust dishing the ball out to Radman.

Last season the Lakers perimeter offense was terrible despite Kobe setting up teammates for wide open looks. I'm just looking forward to Radman getting those same looks next year, along with the improved shooting of Odom, Cook, and Smush. If the Lakers can avoid a slow start, they should be right in the mix for a high playoff seed. A lot of the players will be coming into the 3rd season of the Triangle offense. Normally it takes 3 years for a player to get comfortable and move around instinctively within the offense. Radman has Triangle experience, so the learning curve isn't going to be as hard for him.

Point guard had zero depth last season, but this year the Lakers brought in Shammond Williams and drafted rookie Jordan Farmar. Perhaps McKie can give the team some servicable minutes as well. Also Smush coming into his second year in the Triangle offense should result in more consistency from him.

Maurice Evans basically replaces Devean George.

The key for this team is going to be the frontcourt. Odom will play PF this season, and either Kwame, Turiaf, or Bynum has to make significant strides for this team to be considered one of the elites again out West.