Kobe Bryant Discussion: Mamba Out!

Cooper has a point. I love Kobe, but that was awful basketball there down the stretch.

 

Time to run Kobe to the ground Byron. You know you can do it

 

It's like he's just trolling out there these days.

It's sad to see him intentionally play so poorly, taking such awful shots. I started watching ball because of Kobe, but this season is making me lose some respect for him. He can still play great. he's just choosing not to for whatever reason.

 

What the hell was with the off-ball movement on that play? MOVE!

 

Can't blame them, they know kobe's just going to launch it soon after he catches the ball lol.

 

Looked like the the shot clock was close to expiring also but I could be wrong though.

 

looked like Clarkson (and everyone else) knew that a) kobe was going to shoot and b) Clarkson could have created a better shot. but as I said in the other thread, it's on Clarkson and others to stop giving kobe the ball unless he's in a clear position of advantage. my hs coach used to give me crap when I'd make a great pass to our backup stonehands center, who would bobble it out of bounds. I'd say: but it was a great pass. and he'd say: it was to that doofus--that's on you. sadly, right now, kobe is that doofus. if you give him the rock in an iso situation, he's going to chuck. just don't give it to him. Byron scott's not going to stop you (or him), so it's on you. if you're scared of being benched by scott for freezing kobe's 30% shooting out, rest assured that if he does this, he'll be fired before midseason.

coop's right: kobe's hurting player development on the court right now. I'm sure he's doing all the right things off the court (talking, mentoring), but he has to take a back seat, particularly when he's playing like this. it's not like he's going to snap out of this funk. it isn't a funk. it's permanent. adjust and/or take a backseat.

 

I think guys are definitely afraid of getting yanked.

 

Guys also know that Kobe won't get yanked regardless of what he does.

 

Most Lakers fans (myself included) have tended to be Kobe apologists at least in some way or another. The vast majority at CL and LB are educated basketball fans and have been able to give objective criticism, but have still always gone above and beyond to try to find some explanation or rationale for his shortcomings. Now, it's palatable that we're done and are really, for the first time, turning on him (rightfully so).

 

good to see that i'm not the only one that sees Kobe spazzing out to get the ball and destroying whatever flow we're trying to build

 

It's time for the mamba to retire. I just wish it was in his DNA to scale back his role (like KG in Minny) but still be a part of the team, but I know he can't do it. I honestly think he doesn't know how.

 

Cooper with the quote of the year.

Seriously, I wish he would just swallow his pride and ego and do what Carter, KG and Wheelchair are doing. They are being that veteran presence/leader that takes a back seat to better talent but can come up big when the team needs them too. Unfortunately the killer blood in Kobe that once was a good thing is now a bad thing. If he's going to stick to his ways and with Byron refusing to keep him accountable then play him less mins in the first half, keep him "fresher" for the second half if we insist on going to him.

 

What happened to a hard minute line for Kobe that was supposed to "eventually" top out around 25? He's averaging around 30 min and there's no way he warrants that play right now. When he's got his stroke back and his legs (as much as can be expected) he should still be under 30. He should also be held accountable for no defense (like throwing his hands up @ a miss and not getting back on D).

 

This two year retirement tour is getting tiring. I thought I had the stomach for it. Kobe is capable of playing smart, he just won't do it. Like a petulant child, he wants his way or the highway