Kobe Discussion: shark swimming / #prayforthesharks (664)

wallangong wrote:that blonde kid in the front looks like he's from Children of the Corn. Do not like.

wallangong wrote:that blonde kid in the front looks like he's from Children of the Corn. Do not like.

Here's the thing about Kobe: When he's not guarding someone that will actively posses the ball, he's pretty awful. According to Synergy, of players that guarded at least 200 spot-up possession last season, Kobe gave up the fifth most points per possession (LeBron was right behind him at sixth). For whatever reason, he loses focus when he's on a spot-up shooter and does a poor job closing out.

But when Kobe is assigned to someone who will actually handle the ball on offense, he's still a very respectable defender. One of the main reasons the Lakers were able to capture the 2010 NBA Title was Bryant switching on to Rajon Rondo while poor Derek Fisher chased Ray Allen around for 40 minutes a night. The Lakers implored a similar strategy earlier in the playoffs that year when Bryant guarded Russell Westbrook instead of Thabo Sefolosha. Bryant guarded 41 pick-and-rolls during the 2012 post-season and he held his man to 21% shooting in those situations. Keep in mind, the majority of those possessions came against James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Ty Lawson, so that's a pretty impressive stat. Kobe also held his man to 34% shooing in isolation situations during the regular season.

So when Bryant is given a tough assignment, he can still be relied upon to produce at an above average level, or, at the very least, an above (insert Laker point guard here) level. Switching Bryant onto the opposing point guard still appears to be the Lakers best course of action when they reach the post-season, though such a strategy may not work against the Thunder when they have James Harden in the game.

Mike Trudell ‏@LakersReporter
Kobe Bryant has a strained & bruised right foot, sustained in the 3rd Q last night. He didn't practice today & is listed as day-to-day.

Mike Trudell ‏@LakersReporter
Bryant returned to the game after hurting the foot, & was moving fine. Injury not thought to be serious.

therealdeal wrote:The problem with having an older team under the spotlight: we're going to see all of these tiny injuries that are really not consequential, but we'll get worried.

This worries me.

Vasashi17 wrote:^^^I took it another way fellas.

Its a built-in alibi for the media to not ask about why Kobe ain't at practice till we play our next preseason game. Clearly Kobe is ready and the deficiencies we have can be fine-tuned with upcoming preseason games (ie starter's developing chemistry, Dwight getting conditioning back, etc).

Practice should be used for hammering the offense with the 2nd unit now. The rest will come in time and Kobe knows that.

Kobe has earned and deserves some time off...nothing more, nothing less. I'm not concerned. Actually I would be concerned if they don't use Nash's ankle as reason to give him time off too.