Kobe Bryant Discussion: Mamba Out!

Wow. Wishing injury on Kobe? That's awful @wcsoldier81 . I don't wish injury on our opponents let alone our team and let alone a player who's given you more wins, more rings, and more amazing moments than most other franchises. That's an awful thing to say.

As for this last game: it was clear from the tip-off that this was a "Kobe game" and by that I mean you guys are all focused on his bad play in the 4th, but watch the whole game. From the tip he was the offense. It was clear that the game plan last night was to let Kobe have a shining moment in NY for one last time. He was getting the ball almost every play down. The young guys were forced to just go stand around 90% of the time and when it came down to them finally doing something, they were so out of rhythm they had nothing to give. That's on Kobe and that's on Byron for allowing that.

Do I want Kobe to have some shining moments still? Of course. Most fans should. What's unfortunate is that Kobe doesn't seem to realize that his shining moments should come alongside the kids. The kids should have their time in the sun while Kobe sits back. Then let Kobe take over games from time to time so everyone can ooh and aah at him one last time. A whole game? He showed last night he can't carry a team a whole night anymore.

It was like it was 2008 all over again and Kobe needed the ball every play for the team to succeed, well that's not the case anymore. The pre-season showed a completely different Kobe than the one we saw last night which is why I'm so disappointed. I thought he got it. I thought he figured it out, but in reality this is still more about him and his final season than anything else. I get that mentality, but it's like nobody pointed out to him that the way he's doing it is embarrassing.

Wouldn't it make more sense to pick and choose your battles? It's clear he can't fight a war by himself anymore, so why is he trying to? It's making it worse for him. Someone needs to tell him that, someone he trusts. Take a backseat at this stage wouldn't lessen his legacy in any way, it prolongs it. Instead he's determined to go out as stubborn as ever and that's deeply disappointing.

 

End of games Kobe just hasn't had it going for a long, long time. It's mostly the hero-mode antics, but even the easier shots don't seem to go down for lack of legs. There may come a time later this season that his legs return for the fourth quarter, but right now I'm not holding my breath. Just hoping we have the lead more often than not at the end of games to survive it until either the young guns get more confident and aggressive, or Lou gets hot, or Kobe finally regains his legs. Otherwise we don't have much chance to finish out games at this moment.

 

The way Kobe is playing so far this season is sad.

 

He's been testing it now for 6 games. Taking a ton of threes, taking difficult shots, and not operating out of the post. Instead of testing his body that way, why not give it something it can pass first? He can pass a test in the post. He'll be able to do that until his 45 years old probably. So do that, get a rhythm, then work your way out. What he's doing is selfish and it's why so many fans are upset.

If this was just a one game thing, it'd be more understandable. The EXTENT to which he took over in NY was certainly more than the others, but the SELFISHNESS he's exhibited is not. Play within the team, play for the team, and play for the youngsters and people will stop being upset. He can still average 20/5 by playing smart and letting the kids take more control. Isn't that better than learning you are incapable of doing half of what you're trying while you lose games and stunt the growth of the organization?

 

Yeah, I could never get behind wishing for any of our players to get hurt.

 

He's shooting 30% on the season so far. At some point "testing his body out" really needs to be more about laying off of those threes and playing higher percentage ball. Test your body out by going to the hole, fighting for position on the box, playing some actual defense out there. What he's doing isn't testing anything except the fans and his teammates' patience.

 

Only one exception for me to this rule:

 

^^ Well, very good point TIME!

 

I get what Chill is saying and I agree that's likely what's happening, but testing your body out at the expense of just about everything is stupid and selfish and if that's what he's doing he deserves the ridicule he's gotten thus far.

 

Lot of negativity here, myself included, a lot of it justified IMO, but how about a little bit of positivity thrown in. This is a good read, and even if it can't help us appreciate Kobe's recent play, it can help us appreciate that we are very close to the end of his career. Sentimental moments are all about I've got to hang onto with Kobe right now.

 

Awesome piece, Weezy! Thanks for sharing. Definitely a breath of fresh air to read this after the loss.