Let's put our heads together. Three things we can do to fix this, ASAP. All remotely reasonable suggestions will be heard
1. 1st unit: DAR/JC/KB/JR/RH; bench: Huertas/Williams/Young/Bass/Black
2. Hard 28 minute limit for Kobe.
3. Pick and roll the hell out of it on offense - with DAR and JC with the ball, Kobe in the post.
For nearly two decades, Kobe Bryant has been the Los Angeles Lakers security blanket, providing comfort in the darkest moments. When Shaquille O’Neal fouled out in Game 4 of the 2000 Finals, a 22 year old Kobe took over and landed the victory plane. When Shaq was dealt to Miami, there was Kobe-prime, hauling the likes of Kwame Brown and Smush Parker to the playoffs. And when the Steve Nash/Dwight Howard era imploded on creaky legs and petulance, Bryant was there, giving everything he had, Achilles included.
Unfortunately, those days are over. A diminished Mamba can no longer carry the team on his back, and the announcement that he will retire at the conclusion of the season means that the light at the end of the tunnel is now glowing brighter than ever. It’s no longer appropriate to expect Kobe to save the day; instead, now is the time for admiring what has...