I feel the same way, and trust me, I'm the last one to complain about his FGA's...tonight, though, he took some shots that were ill-advised. I'm glad we got the win, though.
Serena Winters @SerenaWinters · 2m 2 minutes ago Kobe, is there any disappointment that Dwight didn't play? "No. Not really." (on TWC)
I thought Kobe forced some shots but also thought early on he should of been on the free throw line A LOT. He was getting hit everytime he went around the paint. That being said, he looked to be in control of his game and his shots didn't go in but looked pretty good most of the night. He is going to benefit most from Nick being back.
Serena Winters @SerenaWinters · 3m 3 minutes ago Kobe asked about matching up w/ former teammate Ariza (1/2): "Trevor, its a little different, the guys that I've won championships w/... Serena Winters @SerenaWinters · 3m 3 minutes ago Kobe (2/2): "...we have such a bond, especially w/ him. He's really like my little brother. It's actually tough to match up w/ him."(on TWC)
Hey Houston, we'll give you Wes for Ariza, he did just beat you guys, that's how good he is. Kobe played 37 last night and 40 tonight. He looked tired and had no lift towards the end of the game tonight. If he played less then I'm not sure if we would have won but dude does need some rest.
For once I was with Byron on the minutes tonight. This was a game we wanted and needed to win. Now less minutes moving forward please. Let's cut them down again now that Swaggy is back.
Actually, Ellington will be back on Friday; that will be a great time to cut down his minutes. Ellington was being productive for us before he went on his indefinite leave of absence granted by the Lakers due to the unfortunate tragic death of his father...Ellington gives us another option at the 2, and we could slide Nick to the 3. We'll have two very good shooters out there along with Price and or Lin when Kobe is out of the game; it strengthens our bench unit. I'd love to see Kobe in or around 32 minutes with enough punch where he don't have to exert so much energy out there when he's on the floor.
Awwwww Trevor, wish your manager had never schemed you out of L.A. It would have been great to have won another with him and Metta (if possible). It always interests me the players latches onto. Derek, Pau, Trevor, Steve Blake, Caron, Carmello, Swaggy. It is the players who have battled with him and been fearless irrespective of talent. Those who want to do the right things to win. Fantastic to see Kobe smiling rather than holding in his rage after the game today. He made it clear how much he appreciates Nick's scoring and swagging talents, to save his Kobe powers in games.
He does not have the legs to attack the rim on a consistant basis anymore ... that's why he is not efficient at all ... most of the shots he takes and hits are too difficult .
I think it has more to do with he doesn't get the calls when he drives anymore.. He's not going to keep driving & getting hacked all night while refs swallow their whistles.. He's smart enough to know that's going to lead to an injury. As for the high minutes.. I hope it either continues or we start putting teams away early so that he can get his rest when the game is in hand. We need to go on a serious winning streak to turn this season around & right now when our schedule is soft & the team is riding the high of getting Swaggy back is the perfect time.
Kobe the last 2 games... WOW. took alot of shots but almost everyone of them was in place. even i didn't believe he will play that good. fantasy question. if somehow miraculously the lakers manage to get the 8th spot on the playoff and Kobe finish with the scoring title.. does he deserve the MVP?
He didn't get the MVP when he carried worse teams to the playoffs & was more efficient.. No chance he gets it now.. Lebron, KD, or AD, whoever finishes with the best record.
I'm far from believing that, but what I do can see is Kobe improving from game to game. right now he looks like 2012 Kobe at 80% of his game. and what is left from this season if not rooting for Kobe it's fun to dream, and for me its interesting to think that in a scenario we somehow manage to get the 8 seed, in his age and basketball play, starting with so many doubts from everyone - he deservs it even more than 2007. especially in a season that we don't see a clear MVP. the Cavs will not win the east. the Pelicans will not reach more than the 7-8 spot. KD is injured and god knows what will happen with OKC. if I was the voter for me it is a great story for a deserving player who got snobbed few time in his career and making a statment on his play. something like Jerry West recieving the finals MVP award when the Lakers lost in 1969. and again, not gonna think it will happen. but it's fun to dream.
A good thought, but as mentioned earlier 05-06 already showed us the answer. Interestingly enough I really believe if the Lakers had been a top team in 2012-2013 with Kobe's numbers, he would have gotten the MVP.
There's been plenty of years he should or could have won the MVP and didn't. It's certainly not happening now. He played a good game I thought. Even when he missed shots, he did it while bringing two guys to him usually so that means easier rebounding opportunities for Boozer and Hill. I love having Young back, it really protects Kobe. Sure he played a lot of minutes last night, but there were possessions offensively where he didn't do anything and let Nick create a look for himself. Those minutes aren't nearly as costly. I think I read somewhere that his usage rate decreased slightly over the last few nights and I think that trend will continue.
i'm starting to believe everything he is doing is on purpose. if he let Young control the game a little bit its for building his confidence as Kobe knows he will need him on top form.
That's plausible. I think honestly though that Kobe just loves Nick Young and understands that he's capable of being Robin at this point to Kobe's Batman. Ding wrote up a great piece on the two of them. I'll post it later.
