You know what I think Kobe would benefit from too (and indirectly Byron)? Another vet who he trusts to help lead the young ones. Someone to be a little real with him. Like the Derek Fisher-type. Metta's been in the trenches with him, but I don't think he's that guy. He's always been more of the Kobe flatterer (not meant negatively). Fish made a really huge impact on the team during our most recent championship runs (both on the court and in the locker room).
looks done atm. I wish he could adapt Reggie Miller's attitude towards the end of his career. Let the young guys develop, get out of the way early in the game, then takeover in the last 2 minutes depending on the situation.
I wish you'd watch more closely before you just call the guy done. That's clearly wrong. Is he playing perfectly? No of course not, but if you replace half his threes with a pass he looks like a totally different player. He's been proficient inside the three point line and we saw him in the pre-season play passable team defense. Once the regular season started he turned into the worst chucker I've ever seen, but done? C'mon. That's just incorrect.
During the first half of our season-opener, I was like...wow Kobe is still Kobe after all. All he has to do is reign in the chucking of 3's, then he'd be looking pretty good.
He'll be fine. I am really depending more on his IQ and understanding of the game to mentor these young players. He needs to be the de facto head coach on the court.
Kobe didn't even miss a shot inside the arc on Friday night. Didn't even realize that. My God Kobe stay inside the line. Your mid range game is still elite. Your footwork in the post is still above and beyond. You're still a damn good basketball player.
I've always wondered how a guys with such a high basketball IQ has such a hard time seeing what can be so obvious to everyone sometimes... I think that is called selective genius. Or, do as I say, not as I do? "Kobe, are you going to keep taking threes?" "But Kobe, you are shooting more than anyone in history so far, and not very well." "What do you say to those that think you should give those shots to the developing young players?"
According to ESPN he was 5/12 from the field and 1-8 from 3 unless they screwed up on the stat sheet he was 4/4 inside the line.
His post game interview was odd. I can't tell if he was being honest or messing with the media or both. The 200th best player thing sounded genuine, he sounded like he really is disapponted in how bad he's playing. He blamed no one else though, he said Russell got him in his spots, guys are setting him up and he needs to finish and he's not. I don't wanna see him go out like this, I hope he can figure out some sort of strategy that works. If that is mostly catch and shoot 15-18 footers, I'm good with it. The threes have to come down though.
There is a reason most guards don't last this long. I wanted Kobe to break the mold, but, well, father time.... I expect him to have a few more great performances, but he has to play more efficiently. Dirk provided a perfect example tonight. The guys in San Antonio do too.