Before we get into Lakers/Kings, remember that our t-shirt giveaway contest will run through the end of the game. So, if you haven’t already, please tweet me using the hashtag #capgoggles or leave a comment in the contest thread with why you deserve to win.
With that bit of business out of the way, the Lakers tip off against the Kings this afternoon (a 3pm tip, so be aware) after taking a tough loss on Friday against the Thunder. The Lakers were competitive throughout, but Kobe couldn’t turn his poor shooting night around and missed a potential game winning pull up jumper as the clock expired. In terms of looks, it was a quality one by Bean, but like most of his attempts that evening it clanked harmlessly off the rim and the Lakers were losers in the end.
Throughout that game Kobe looked fatigued which, considering the team hadn’t played since Monday, should cause a bit of worry. After the game Byron Scott commented that he planned to take Kobe’s minutes allocation “day by day” even after Kobe said that he just didn’t have his legs under him. I went on a bit of a mini-rant (check out my tweets after the game) after both Scott and Kobe had their words with the press because it seems to me that neither — especially Scott — seem inclined to publicly acknowledge what seems so obvious to everyone.
Kobe needs to be playing fewer minutes and Scott needs to be the one to sit the player down to discuss and then enforce this. As I have written before, part of the reason Scott was hired was because his relationship with Kobe was supposed to lend him an ability to work and communicate well with him. Well, now is one of those times where Scott needs to cash in some of that goodwill and make some adjustments for the betterment of his team and his star player. Kobe having dead legs (supposedly after pushing hard in Wednesday’s practice) and still playing 35 minutes a night is not setting him or this team up for success. Scott’s chief objective should be finding ways to maximize his players and this team’s results. Maybe we will start to see some of that today against the Kings.
Speaking of the coaching and the Kings, they made some waves of their own this week when they fired Michael Malone and inserted lead assistant Ty Corbin into the head coaching spot. This move baffled many analysts, as Malone had done well leading this team to a solid record before DeMarcus Cousins had to miss extended time with a bout of viral meningitis. Ownership and the front office have said that they want the Kings to play a different style — more uptempo, more free flowing — though it’s a real question whether they have the personnel to really execute that style. I haven’t seen a ton of Kings basketball this year, but I thought working Cousins on the block and having slashers and shooters try to work off him was a sound approach. Seems the owners thought different.
This game, then, might represent one of those games where the players will need to overcome some of their coaching issues to play well enough to win. We’ll see how it goes.
Where you can watch: 3:00pm start time on TWC Sportsnet. Also listen on ESPN Radio 710AM Los Angeles.
Ko says
Good points Darius.
FYI I went back Into all Laker history and could not find any player
who
lead the league in shots 21
Was 127th in the league in shooting % at 37%
Last in the NBA (436th) in plus-minus.0 at -238
We cn blame the players or the FO but this is a Kobe/Scott issue,
Numbers at some Pount don’t lie.
Tim says
Would Byron Scott ever pull a Popovich and rest Kobe for a game this season? Kobe might need to take a game or two off this season.
Robert says
Kobe Alert: The MJ chase has been completed, however KB continues his climb up the all time lists. Against OKC KB moved by John Havlicek in 2 categories. Kobes played in his 1271st game and out of a tie with Havlicek and into 21st all time in games. He also cruised by Hondo in minutes, which put Kobe in 10th all time. with 46,487 minutes. Against the Pacers, Kobes moved by Jermaine O’Neal and into 55th all time for defensive rebounds. Against OKC he grabbed 8 defensive boards and tied Truck Robinson for 54th. Just 9 more three pointers for Kobe to move by former teammate Steve Nash for 12th. I also like to throw those less than enthusiastic about Kobe a bone, and tonight’s will be the fact that Kobe needs just 51 more shots to have 25,000 FGAs for his career. I know some haters cringe every time Kobe shoots, so that is a lot of cringing. KB needs 4588 points to catch Karl Malone, a feat he is projected to accomplish in 2017 during his 21st year.
tankyou says
What frustrates me the most about the Kobe playing time and his bad shooting–is I think Kobe could still actually play really well. I think if you played him 20-25mpg and sat him on back-to-backs he might be able to recover his legs just enough to be very impactful in smaller doses. Kobe has shined in spurts, so I think his skill level is still there he has just lost physicality. This old school stuff just doesn’t overcome physical reality. But the Coach and fans expect Kobe to be the #1 option volume scorer even when its more than clear he can only do that in spurts at this age/mileage on his body.
I would love to start feeling good about Kobe again b/c of the way he plays on the court in the PRESENT not because of nostalgia. Sure Kobe still gives us glimmers, but then turns into a 4th quarter brick machine most of the time. If his name was’t Kobe Bryant no coach in their right mind would be playing him like this. I don’t think many of the good coaches would be playing Kobe this much, with this type of results. Give him a chance to shine in smaller doses, otherwise this could end up being an epic level poor volume shooting display (which is not the note to go out on before you retire).
Ko says
Again Kobe starts like crap 0 for 4 and 3 to TO and offensive foul. Let anyone else shoot. He needs to be benched. To bad the coach is scared.
tankyou says
Ronnie Price seriously has looked like the best 2 way player on the 1st unit the past couple games. I’m thinking that’s not really a good sign though.
Robert says
Tank: My Kobe Alert is in mod. Just letting you know, because I know it is the highlight of your day : ) Question: You do realize that we saw what it would be like last year without Kobe. We finished 27-55. I do not disagree that Scott overplays Kobe and he would be more effective per minute with less play time and some days off. That said you (and others) speak of him as if “fixing Kobe” (which of course would be combined with a complete new coaching personality for Byron) would make us a 50 win team.
Joel says
Honestly, the management of a player in his 19th (!!!) season in the league – and coming off 2 serious injuries – has been just embarrassing. At a time when he should be easing into a reduced role to maximise what he can still do, his usage rate is the second highest in the league? The result is that he’s still being harshly judged as a “superstar” (which he obviously isn’t at this point) while players like Duncan and Nowitzki are rightfully accepted as declining legends who are still crucial to their teams’ success.
As Darius says, if Byron Scott doesn’t have enough cachet to get the situation under control, then what was the point of hiring him? It’s not like he’s covered himself in glory over the course of his coaching career, barring a handful of good years in New Jersey and New Orleans.
rr says
We cn blame the players or the FO but this is a Kobe/Scott issue,
—
FO gave them the contracts that they have, and they are both guys with track records that strongly suggested that this is exactly what would happen.
Ko says
2nd team just like OKC complete out playing 1st team.
Tim says
Really nice of the Dallas Cowboys to blow out the Colts (and win the NFC East) so I can focus on the Lakers game.
Lakafan says
So bench mob playing well and bs takes them all out to put in price, Wes, and Kobe so he can start chucking again!!
tankyou says
Robert, I think we appear to be headed in the direction of a win total in the low 20’s. I think playing Kobe less minutes/resting him and seeing Ellington/Young on the floor and more guys scoring and running the floor might net us another 7-8 wins this season, 10 at the most. But I would love to see any extra win we can get, and also less losses during games we actually should win, but lose in the last 5 mins of the game. I don’t care for the FO, Scott, nor MDA, and I would love to see this team get more than 27 wins, I still think 30 is possible–but clearly not the way they are doing things now. I’m afraid Kobe could actually get worse shooting wise as the season progresses without lots of rest, games off, and big time minute reductions.
Anonymous says
Coming off 3 for 15
Today 3 for 13 with 5 TOs
karen says
Still not a negative word from laker broadcasters regarding scott and kb. I wouldnt care if they hadn’t rode mda out of town with their critical remarks
Tim says
Nick Young four point play, second of the season..
Lakafan says
31 minutes for Kobe with another 7 to come here. Expect lots of shots hitting front rim here down the stretch. Hope Lin and swag look away and not defer every time
Ko says
Great respect for you Robert but numbers and eyes don’t lie. I am laker fan not just a Kobe fan. Last in NBA in plus minus and most shots per game and 37% shooting is a big issue. Another 39% game with 7 TO?
As a Laker fan is that ok for you? Rating down another 28% this year!
Anonymous says
Another game lost due to horrible 4 th quarter play of KB and stupid coaching. Enough is enough
Robert says
Ko: Thanks. I was against the extension at the huge numbers. I was against compiling a roster where the only thing going was to strive for Kobe records. The FO granted the extension and put a bad roster around Kobe. So – what do I have as a Laker fan? I take what they give me and root for Kobes. If you want to talk about FO, Jim, roster, and such, you know I am there. If people want to ignore all of that and focus solely on Kobe and Byron, then I do not know what to say.
Lakafan says
Has any player in history missed 20 shots in one game more than Kobe?? Can someone research this.
Tim says
Kobe trying to do too much and all by himself. That is not a recipe for a win.
Joel says
Is it mutually exclusive to root for Kobe’s records while not being a fan of him shooting 8/26 on contested long 2s every night?
Ki says
Got you Robert but why play a guy who is last in every shooting category in the league 35 to 40 minutes a game. None of us want to see Willy Mays batting .240 or Iverson shooting 35% at ends of their careers.
It hurts me to watch this Kobe and team.
Rob Westbrook says
8/29* with 9 turnovers in 37 min; only 3 ast. So sad to watch. Byron crap coach, too.
tankyou says
Kobe WORST player on the floor tonight for the Lakers by a large margin. Got handled by his man on D, and helped offensively shoot the Lakers out of a win. They easily could have won this game tonight. This was likely their best shot at a win for a long while.
SO yeah, I’ll blame Scott for playing Kobe 40min (two 12min quarters?!) when he’s old, constantly complains of being tired in the media, and of course he isn’t producing much beyond bricks and TO’s. Until Kobe plays better than this “bad roster” who are playing with a horrible “star player” who continues to shoot worse than all the guys that are supposed to be bad.
Ki says
Rob you forgot a minus 18 to add to his league leading minus 254.
Robert says
Joel: No it is not. However, I knew this team was going to be very bad the day D12 left. It is bad. I do not want to root just or Kobe, but that is all I have. I have major issues with the FO and the way this team is run. Those who do not like what is going on with Kobe and Byron should have even larger issues. Who hired Byron? Who hired MD? Who hired Mike Brown? Who signed KB to $24 per? Who traded for Nash? Who let D12 walk? Why did we let Pau walk? Kaman? All for nothing. Why do have so few draft picks? Is this all because of Kobe and Byron? I feel for those who do not like Kobe and Byron. They probably feel the way I did last year with no Kobe and watching the team run by MD. It was no fun. The difference is that I acknowledge that this team is in shambles (unlike the last 2 years when some thought we were on some quest for greatness). I will simply root for Kobes – until someone gives me something else.
hop says
Kobe 8 for 30 and he played 38 minutes.
B. Scott is the worst coach in the NBA.
The 2nd unit was playing well then Scott puts Kobe back in and killed the whole team.
9 turnovers for Kobe, bad defense and 8–30 shooting. Again the second unit with Ellington was playing well.
Alan says
Time to sell. Young, Lin and Hill all have value to true contenders. If TWC wants Kobe then they can have Kobe. Someone in the FO has to have the guts to throw in the towel on this season. We need to be creative between now and the deadline. Get as many assets as we can.
This FO needs to think like Danny Ainge, who has a single focus to get assets for everything of value on his roster. No way Ainge let’s Howard, Pau and Meeks walk without getting anything in return.
Our FO doesn’t want to commit. Trying to rebuild while trying to win is not possible. The end result is frustration everywhere. Their fantasy of elite FAs lining up to play for the Lakers is delusional.
Joel says
Robert: I am also a Kobe fan, but it’s very hard to root for his records when he is actively harming the team and his own legacy in the process.
Nobody doubts the FO has a lot to answer for (is it possible for them to make one coaching decision other than hiring Phil Jackson that doesn’t have “obvious failure” written all over it from the start?) but that doesn’t mean we can’t raise concerns about the ludicrous approach Kobe and Byron are taking right now. Especially when it could easily be rectified with just a smidgeon of self-awareness from the parties involved. Oh well.
jerke says
Multiple sources tweeting that Scott plans to sit kobe next game citing fatigue – pending a discussion between the two
Ko says
It was a media question. He hedged on answer Jerke. Said he will talk with Kobe. As we know Kobe makes all decisions and only he will make this one. To bad because rating might go back up.
rr says
Re. the FO:
I sent this in an email several days ago:
The FO didn’t commit to either
a) Trying to have a decent team by paying Kobe less and trying to get guys like Monroe and Stephenson (I think Kobe would help Stephenson–Kobe likes fiery, unstable guys with some skill), forgetting about the draft pick, and hoping to leverage from the middle to the top over the next 3-4 seasons.
or
b) Just doing a straight-up tank–no Swaggy, no Boozer, no Hill–just all minimum guys, with no obvious skillset or PT expectations–guys like Price. And tell Kobe that he can either sign a big one-year deal with the Lakers, understanding what is happening, or he can join Phil and Fisher in NY and try his luck there on a small deal.
Instead, they tried to do a little of X and a little of Y, so the team is a Frankenstein’s Monster, a mismatched collection of parts, stumbling blindly through the forest–and the villagers have lit the torches.
Anonymous says
I missed the game.
What were Kobe’s shooting numbers in the 4th quarter?
DonFord says
I feel like a Lakers marketing case study!
Because – crap – I have tickets for the next game (and only go to 1 or 2 games/year) – – and they might sit Kobe?!
I’m with all the commenters who hate seeing Kobe lead the league in all the wrong stuff.
But … now that I’M going to a game (and with my son) … I want to see the man score! (I mean shoot, as it were…)
Ko says
Din he is shooting 34% in December and the Warriors backcourt might score 70 aganist the Laker guards. You sure about that?
LKK says
Really sad for me to watch tonight’s game . Seeing Kobe play such a putrid game was depressing. He just is not playing with any type of discipline or sense of respect for the ball. The missed shots, meh! The turnovers, my goodness! Kobe is making the game hard for himself. He goes back to his roots in the pinch post far too often…. All that fighting for position is taking a toll. I’ve loved the man’s game since I first saw him in a pre-season game in his rookie campaign. It’s gut wrenching to see him struggle like this. IMO, he’s still capable. The Mamba just has to scale back and realize that sometimes less is more.
Anonymous says
Robert, how about at least a modicum of integrity on your part? You were pushing for the Scott hire and he has turned out to be atrocious (abominable? awful? Abysmal? and that is just in the A’s). Were you wrong about him? Can you admit that? You like to talk about how great Kobe is and he literally is playing like one of the worst guys on the team. This team is not a playoff team in the West, but Scott and Kobe have turned it into an absolute farce. You want to pin that on the FO, go ahead, but at least acknowledge that you were 100% behind the Scott move. You blame the FO for throwing money at Kobe, but then write this gem, “I will simply root for Kobe – until someone gives me something else.” Well you got your wish – Kobe playing 38 minutes and going 8-30. The FO knew there were a lot of fans just like you – just give you Kobe until the next LBJ shows up wearing forum blue and gold. Well you got it.
J C says
Lakers feel very dysfunctional right now.
What free agent would want to come here and join the current nightmare?
Reggie Hammond says
I think Kobe is done…can be a nice 15 ppg bench guy coming off curls (he will refuse of course) anything else is unrealistic…hell of a career
BigCitySid says
-“Obviously, I have had tough moments,” Bryant said. “But the thing that I have always found effective is to focus on where you’re at in the moment and time.”
-Lakers coach Byron Scott said he might rest Bryant for an upcoming game to give the 36-year-old a break. Bryant said it might make sense but stopped short of endorsing the idea. “It’s probably not that much of an option, really,” he said. “I just have to look at the body, the amount of the workload, and see how it responds.”
–The rose color glasses have finally fell off. Scott and Bryant reaching a conclusion that more realistic fans knew long ago.
-FO has milked Kobe for all he’s worth this season. Endorsing Scott playing Kobe not only every game, but big minutes per game in his chase down of MJ in an effort to boost ratings, attendance and justification of “The Contract”.
-Not sure how they (the FO), measures success. Obviously it’s different than I do.
-8-19, .296, tied for 24th place league wide w/ Charlotte at the 1/3 of the season.
-Looking forward to the next part of the season featuring “less but better Kobe”.
teamn says
rr — good post. The indecision and lack of a real plan are a big part of why I don’t see a turnaround coming. The FO created an unstable situation and is letting a losing culture take hold. That will be very hard to overcome, regardless of future picks. I don’t see a situation that will entice free agents.
Tankyou says
I think they might honestly be worried not only about disgruntled fans IF Kobe doesn’t play (with a 24 Million pay check). Already have Nash (season DNP nearly 10million). But additionally, I honestly think they team will be better without Kobe, unless Kobe was willing (yeah right) to be a 6th man type player and play 15-20mins a game where he gets to dominate the offense.
It would not make Kobe, Scott, or the FO look good if they actually start winning more games without Kobe playing at all. I think they would win more games, not a ton more, but I think you can already look back at 5 games they would have won without him playing. Mind you they won a couple games where Kobe played pretty horrible. You would see team play (well maybe except Swaggy black-hole young). I do think they team would be better with Kobe playing small chunks of time off the bench against 2nd units. But I would take Kobe sitting out the rest of the season, and watch a some extra wins. For people that actually enjoy watching their team win, regardless of playoffs, I’ll take every win I can get. Last night without a doubt SHOULD have been a win! This must be the worst 25ppg show I’ve ever seen, Iverson’s low efficiency volume shooting was better than this. Lakers have some decent offensive players.
How about Ed Davis btw, dude is really playing well lately.
Robert says
Anonymous: Please do not question my “integrity” – especially when posting under anonymous (kind of comical to post this under ano). That said – I am “obviously” owning Scott and Kobe. I supported Scott and still do. He is making some mistakes and so is Kobe. If you have an alternative, I am willing to listen. If you have a suggestion for the team – I am willing to listen. Playing Kobe a little less and resting him some games sounds good. I have said all along that the team is a disaster. Many were optimistic the past couple years, meanwhile I (and others) predicted a very bad team. I never thought Scott could avoid that and I said when I recommended him that he would never make it to the time period when we contend again. I still feel that way. If we make roster moves that warrant a new coach, I am all for it. In the meantime – Scott is fine, and I said the same last year about MD (albeit I did not like MD). The FO has made a disaster out of our team. Signing Kobe for $24 per for 2 years was a terrible move. Letting DH walk was terrible. Who coaches this mess is almost irrelevant. I agree with teamn, rr, et al who feel this is a mess and one that the FO brought largely on themselves. I again ask this to the Scott/Kobe critics: If they did things the way you want them to, how many games will we win this year? 25? 30? So what exactly are we talking about here (much less factoring in Aaron’s tanking conversation).
DonFord: There it is. Well said. If you give me two choices: Option 1) A record of 25-57 and Kobe playing 34 min and scoring 25 or Option 2) A record of 30-52 and Kobe playing way less and averaging 15 (I do not think this really wins us more games by the way). I take option #1. Of course what I really want is Option #3: I go back in a time machine and convince Jerry (RIP) not to put Jim in charge of basketball operations. If someone gives me Option 4 – I am all ears.
Robert says
Right now – the 12-26 game would be an obvious one for Kobe to sit. Back to back on the road, and this way he plays on 12-25. He should go straight from Chicago back to LA. Of course this would give KB critics something else to complain about. “Why isn’t he on the bench supporting the team?”
By the way, a piece of meat for the critics. The last game was historically rare. Having that many turnovers, that many many shots, and that many misses. Not sure it has ever occurred. Iverson has had few like that, but his percentage was higher.
He still rules though !
Oldtimer says
I will go with rr. Lakers could have spread out the minutes of Kobe if they had reliable help from mid tier stars. Rr mentioned Monroe and Stephenson, well other stars who were available but FO wanted one year deal only and Vet’s min only, so Ariza, Thomas or Bledsoe were taken out from consideration. The reliable players last season like Meeks, Kaman, Basemore and also Blake were all scratched from Lakers, who could have helped Kobe to rest. These type of players together with Swaggy P and Hill could offer decent competition. Does Scott really have any alternative other than Kobe? he tried to mix this roster but same results and in the ending quarters, except of course of the known Kobe haters who are on the look out on any Kobe mistakes, Kobe’s poor showing, a chance to tear down Kobe which has been Kobe’s permanent Achilles heel as a Laker, the fact is, most fans at Staples clamor for Kobe’s presence in any close game. It is like betting on an old stallion to give them a good shot for their money. Indeed, the machine is no longer functioning as it was in the beginning, it has its moments especially against newer and better version, can’t beat Father time, spirit is willing but flesh is weak.
Where is the help from others? Where’s the help from FO when teams are willing to trade their best players at this time? None, they could not even get a reliable C tall enough to help Hill and Davis manning the post. It appears FO wanted to fast forward the season and collect more high draft picks to join Randle and Clarkson on the bench. Well, high draft picks should play not benched, that is if they are not injured. Well, I don’t see any team benefiting from high draft picks taken in 2014, in fact they are on the trading block. FO say “patience” we are on the process of rebuild. Who are you kidding, all teams are always on the process of rebuild, nobody has a guarantee of their future. Here is the deal, if you can’t put up a good show out there then, don’t charge exorbitant price on anything that is Lakers!
PurpleBlood says
The Mamba just has to scale back and realize that sometimes less is more.
___
yes, that´s it. hope Mamba realizes it, with all due respect.
___
as usual, rr hits the nail square on the head
jerke says
Pistons just waived Josh smith and his 26 million dollar contract!
Worried says
Our FO is insane enough to sign Josh Smith. Please do not do it.
Calvin Chang says
Have to say that Stan Van Gundy could have traded Josh Smith for draft picks and expiring contracts. What was he thinking. Strange move.
Dave says
Regarding Smith: He is a great target for a contending team that has a strong culture and coach.Which is why I think once he clears waivers that he will go to a winning team.
I agree with Worried and hope the Lakers do not sign him. Smith is not young enough to be a building block. And if the Lakers signed him it would only ensure that we lose our pick this year without providing enough to carry us to the playoffs.
In other words, if the FO signs Smith it will further show that they have no understanding of where the Lakers are in the rebuilding process. Adding a player who is a ‘final piece’ to a team so far away from winning is akin to putting lipstick on a pig.
jerke says
“In fairness to Josh,being a highly versatile 10-year veteran in this league,we feel it’s best to give him his freedom to move forward,”-SVG
Eeps. Lots left unsaid w that statement. Svg is pretty good at making pieces work so smith musta really pushed his buttons for this to happen
jerke says
Couple reports on twitter mention that sac and a couple other teams tried to get smith earlier this year. Det will use stretch provision for savings and cap relief
jerke says
ESPN sources say both Kings and Mavericks have interest in signing Josh Smith as a free agent if (when) he clears waivers Wednesday – Marc Stein.
rr says
Anonymous December 21, 2014 at 10:36 pm
Robert, how about at least a modicum of integrity on your part?
—
Since whoever posted this obviously has been around awhile, yes, a handle would be nice.
Scott: I wasn’t upset about the hire, but like I said at the time, I would have preferred that they give a guy without previous HC exp. in the NBA a go at it. But given Scott’s history and personality, and Kobe’s history and personality, the scenario we are seeing was certainly fairly likely. It may be that Scott gets it, but has decided that the best way to deal with it is to let Kobe see it for himself, instead of forcing change on him. One can argue that would not be coaching, but as Robert has pointed out, this team would still not be any good at all if Kobe had retired and, Lin, Young, and Ellington were getting his time and shots. Those guys are all known quantities, in the their mid-to-late twenties. Clarkson may be a rotation guy at some point, but he would still just be a rookie if he were playing now.
Other fanbases are literally laughing at the Lakers, Scott, and Kobe right now, and some of those people seriously think that the Lakers are doing this on purpose–letting Kobe fire away as part of a keep-the-ratings-tanking plan. I don’t believe that, but it does raise a point that I and others made in preseason: you can’t really tank in the traditional sense with Kobe Bryant on the roster, no matter how many bad shots he might be taking or how bad the team might be. It just doesn’t work philosophically or emotionally, unless (maybe, and it is a big maybe) you approached it as honestly with him as my post suggests above. That is why, of course, although everyone pretty much knows that the Lakers are better off with the pick, people (especially DS and the KBros, who are burning up Twitter with it after every game) are loudly demanding that Scott change the way he is using Kobe. Tanking would be OK with people, but doing it in this particular way, especially since the team may end up losing the pick anyway, isn’t. And I actually agree with that.
Kobe and Byron do need to self-assess, but the endless, intense focus on them by some is just a function of visibility: you see and hear Kobe and Byron during and after every game, but you seldom see and hear the guys who gave them their current contracts.
J C says
Kobe could still contribute mightily if he:
-played 24-28 min per game
-thought pass first
-focuses on defense and team unity a little more
-cut down on the turnovers
He still has a rich wealth of bball knowledge and experience to share w his teammates if he can simply start sharing the ball.
Maybe Kobe could use the assistance of a sports psychologist.
“Why do you feel you need to keep so much of the limelight for yourself?
Haven’t you already achieved enough career accolades?”
With all his talent, I truly wonder what he’s thinking sometimes.
The current trend has to be affecting team morale.
Wonder what they say to each other in the locker room.
Losing many games breeds unrest.
Something will change soon.
Slappy says
“Our FO is insane enough to sign Josh Smith. Please do not do it.”
Might help with a top 5 pick, at least if Josh continued to put the, I see his shooting and want to wretch, in wretched (he’s now assumed the mantle of the most unwanted player in the NBA, and pity there’s no award ceremony and trophy for that).
P. Ami says
Please, please, please… get J. Smith… We need ping-pong balls.
rr says
If you’re down to imagining a dialogue between Kobe and a sports psychologist, you have jumped the shark. This is a deep lottery team, and that will still be true if Kobe announces his retirement on Christmas Day on ABC. The Lakers are 16th in ORTG and 30th in DRTG, and it is clear that they don’t have the talent in the starting lineup to compete.
BigCitySid says
Josh just got out of a losing situation (one in which he played a part), as a free agent why would he want to do that again? Unless Lakers pick him up off waivers (doesn’t make sense), no chance Smith chooses Lakers over current contenders.
R says
So now it’s ROBERT’S fault the Lakers are terrible?!
Oh, come on!
I mean, really, anon whoever you are, you can do better than THAT, I would hope.
If not why even bother posting?
tankyou says
Remember when we played the Pistons last time and Josh Smith was destroying us by going to the rim over and over. But then, he pulled out his jump shot and quit trying to go to the hole and shot brick after brick.
That in a nutshell is Josh Smith’s problem, he has fallen in love with his jumpshot and Coach’s don’t seem to be able to get him to stop shooting them. He is a horrible outside shooter, but he’s still a beast from 8 foot and in. He is a good passer, plays strong D, rebounds. Literally if he never shot a jumpshot outside of 8 feet he would be amazing. But what a gamble to make, that you can be the person to make Josh Smith quit shooting jumpers. Doesn’t seem like he listens to anybody b/c I’m sure people have been in his ear telling him to stop shooting from outside.
jedinac says
Kobe Bryant has missed 380 shots this season. Dirk Nowitzki has taken 382 shots this season.
via sportscentre
just retire
Ko says
JC if anyone needs a sports Phy its Scott. Doing the same thing(0 for 10 last second shots) over and over with same bad results! Insanity?
As for Smith it’s going to his BFF. Dwight and Josh!
karen says
Wouldn’t you think kobe would be embarrassed by his pitiful performance game after game. Wouldn’t we all have tremendous respect if he said this season, i’m done … take some of the $$ back .. use it to rebuild
Chearn says
Well, if the solution to what ails the Lakers is salary then let’s have Nash return his entire salary for this season. And while we’re at it how about D’Antoni remit his salary this year. I for one would garner a new found respect for those two subversives from the Suns.
Ko says
Kobe can not return money. Not allowed.
Fern says
Yeah, in the land of unicorns and fairy tales yeah sure, he would return the money. In the real world? Why would he?Im astounded at the disrespect the whinners and complainers are showing to Kobe Bryant argualy the best Laker of all time. Kobe needs to be reigned in by Scott and play a more facilitator role. He can be hugely effective, but in a team like this he is going to fire away come hell or high water. We all knew this was going to happen with the lack of talent we have. Scott needs to step in if he have to guts. About Josh Smith, hugely overrated player,always was, i would like him at the sf position he is an improvement over Wesley, but the team would not improve a lot, as a PF we have Hill, and Josh Smith is not better than him. I would pass.
Rob Westbrook says
Yes but if Byron has an epiphany and realizes the Lakers are better with Kobe on the bench now, then maybe Kobe gets tired of his new reduced role and retires early. That would help the salary cap!
Darius Soriano says
Lil Pau & T Rogers,
You two are the winners of the t-shirt contest. Send me an email with your email addresses and I will follow up with you both. Congrats!
rubenowski says
Great picks Darius. Lil pau, I expect pictures of the 5 day event. Lol
Slappy says
“Yeah, in the land of unicorns and fairy tales yeah sure, he would return the money.”
Two words, Gil Meche. I envy ole Gil, living in a land of unicorns and fairy tales.
Now on to Darius. I trust that you checked both souls comments for comments in favor and/or praise of Nick Young (Who Is The Devil). If they made any such comments, such should have resulted in their immediate and/or instant disqualification. I would have come up with one, two, perhaps a hundred reasons for myself, but I checked the shirt site and they only have but the one color, which color does not exactly flatter me, so I ruled myself out.
That said, if you have occasion to speak with the proprietors of the shirt co., kindly relate for me that the Worthy shirt should have James on the back with those two hookers in Houston, captioned with that immortal line about how surprising it is that James isn’t yet tired of the double-team. If they had such a shirt in white or grey, they’d have at least one sale.
Lastly, what the heck is up with this:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=lakers+hat&tbm=shop
Where in Deity’s name is my old Lakers cap of yore? The darker grey one with the simple Los Angeles in small script above Lakers in larger script, with the bill of the cap being grey as well. What the heck is wrong with the world? They have these lamoid grey caps instead:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#tbm=shop&q=lakers+hat+grey
For all of you, it wasn’t The Veto, Jimbo, Dwight, MDA, or anything like that. The downhill began and continues owing to my old Lakers cap finally biting the dust. Those little prong things came off, I superglued them back on. They came off again and again and again, yet more superglue, and then I finally just superglued the plastic things together (one size fits me and all that). Rather too threadbare was a whole other matter. Where, oh where, oh where in the world is my old Lakers cap, so the team can return to their winning ways….
Oh, and for how we all know that the cap was all that, got it for Christmas in the run–up to the coin flip that ended up as Magic. The rest is history….
BigCitySid says
-Congrats to Lil Pau & T Rogers for winning those great T-shirts.
-Does anyone here really think Scott’s use (misuse?) of Kobe hasn’t been fully endorsed by the FO? Just think about it for a moment. Imagine company man Scott going against the wishes of the FO. That was the plan for the 1st third of the season. Kobe this, Kobe that with the focus on ratings, attendance, and passing MJ. Things like win loss record and cheating team chemistry were not top priorities but by products.
– Now with the mission completed (with mixed results), adjustment are being made. Won’t be surprised if Kobe sits out tonight vs the Warriors in order to be available for 36 mins vs the Bulls on national TV for Christmas…Front Office plan part two.
PurpleBlood says
Worthy shirt should have James on the back with those two hookers in Houston, captioned with that immortal line about how surprising it is that James isn’t yet tired of the double-team.
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hahahahahaha, great post Slappy – oh, & get your Lakers cap issue righted asap, man! 😉
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Darius, you nailed it on the Cap tee giveaway, Lil Pau & T Rogers´ posts were great
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People,
never doubt The Black Mamba, ever
Oldtimer says
Big City Sid, the way I look at it, the strategy is blanket coverage in all fronts based on these priorities: 1. ride with twilight Kobe years to beef ratings for the sake of TWC; 2. buy time on cheapo players for one season only; 3. go for experiment on Linsanity, Boozer waivers, Hill overpay and see if they can turn them into Kwame et al for Pau type of deal; 4. please the fans by hiring Scott as a rescuer playoff bound or a scapegoat for tank result; 5. be on the look out for draft picks and movement of marquee players at a cheap.
In other words, they don’t know what they want to accomplish. It is like playing Options in the Stock Market, they keep the gains from TWC contract by switching to poker slot machine to whilst time. Paid Kobe, shorting on Nash, no deal on Melo but they achieved their goal on cap space and avoidance of repeater tax with VetMin players. If they fail in all of these complicated endeavors, they still won in preserving the lowest five.
Robert says
rr/R: Thanks for the support. This was relatively mild however.. As rr knows, another web site personally blamed me for forcing the FO into firing MD.
BCS: “fully endorsed by the FO? ” and “Front Office plan part two” I believe you are implying a level of planning and communication that simply does not exist : )
chearn/Purple/Fern/Oldtimer: Here is what amuses me about the Kobe attacks. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and KB is a controversial guy. However does he not deserve some minimum level of respect for his past accomplishment? It is not just this site Much of Laker Nation is throwing him under the bus. And very few members of Laker Nation are defending him. There are more defenders for the FO or even for MD (still) than there are for Kobes. The only one Laker Nation hates worse than Kobe is Byron. And where are all the posters who used to rail against my Jim/MD posts? Perhaps they could resurface to defend Kobe and Byron who combined have 8 more rings than Jim and MD.
Vasheed says
I’m a little astonished with the criticisms being leveled. Kobe is trying to do too much, given a better situation with not as much asked of him I think his numbers wouldn’t be so bad. I’m not a huge fan of Scott’s strategies but, he is at least consistent with line ups, communicates what he is trying to do, and I give him some slack as his team was pretty much assembled as is when he was hired. I can understand being critical of anything but a lot of what has happened this year is exactly the prescription many called for last year. No more yo-yo rotations of MDA, Hill is one the main players, no 7sol. On and on, it really is just baffling the level of criticism that is so contradictory to just last year.
rr says
-Does anyone here really think Scott’s use (misuse?) of Kobe hasn’t been fully endorsed by the FO?
—
I think Scott is doing what he wants to do. The Lakers are old-school, and I don’t think they are at a point at which the FO will give Scott a direct order on something like PT, traditionally the coach’s territory, at least not yet. Also, if the FO had been carefully orchestrating the Jordan thing, they would have
a) Dragged it out more
b) Made sure KB did it either at home or against the Bulls on Christmas
“Kobe this, Kobe that ”
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You should just save yourself some time by making this your handle and putting up blank posts.
Trip says
ESPN’s Zach Lowe rips the Lakers once again, calling them the league’s vaudville freak show.
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-nbas-western-conference-power-rankings/
I believe that writers understand the natural ebb and flow of talent in the NBA. Yet, the Lakers do not get any respect for the fact that they are in an inevitable downward arc. I think this is because writers, who are worth their salt, realize that aside from the Veto all of the damage done to the organization has been self inflicted. Incompetance is transparent.
Chearn says
Robert, I agree!
If this team had a chance to play in post season, then I wholeheartedly agree Kobe is shooting too much. However, devoid of that happening what harm is being done. The consensus is that none of these players will remain with the team, so as Chick Hearn so poignantly stated, “No harm, no foul!” So why all the vitriol towards Kobe? Kobe’s shooting efficiency is dropping precipitously after 19 years in the league and winning five NBA championships. Bryant is a 16-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team and 12-time member of the All-Defensive team. Twice he has led the league in scoring. Moreover, Mr. Bryant’s accolades for the United States of America are astonishing:
Gold Medals: 2012 Olympic Games, 2008 Olympic Games, 2007 FIBA Americas Championship.
Has played on five USA Basketball national teams and aided those teams to a 36-0 record, and two Olympic gold medals. In 37 games played, he has compiled 504 points (13.6 ppg), 86 rebounds (2.3 rpg.) and 102 assists (2.8 apg.).
Member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team that finished 8-0 and won the gold medal. Started in all eight games and averaged a team fourth best 12.1 ppg., 1.8 rpg., 1.3 apg., 1.1 spg., shot 90.9 percent from the foul line.
Member of the 2012 USA National Team that finished pre-Olympic tour with a 5-0 record. Averaged 8.2 ppg., 3.0 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.8 spg.
Named a finalist for the 2012 USA?Men’s Olympic Team on Jan. 16, 2012.
Named a member of the 2010-12 USA Men’s National Team on Feb. 10, 2010.
Member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team that finished 8-0 and won the gold medal. Started in all eight games and averaged 15.0 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 2.1 apg., 1.1 spg.
Member of the 2008 USA Senior National Team that finished pre-Olympic tour with a 5-0 record. Averaged 13.4 ppg., 2.2 rpg., 2.6 apg. and 2.2 spg.
Member of the 2007 USA FIBA Americas Championship Team that finished 10-0, won gold and qualified the United States men for the 2008 Olympics.
Started in all 10 of the USA’s games and averaged a team third best 15.3 ppg., 2.0 rpg., 2.9 apg. (fourth highest on team), a team leading 1.6 spg., averaged a team second (tied) most 19.9 minutes a game, while shooting 54.8 percent (51-93 FGs) from the field overall, 45.9 percent (17-37 3pt FGs) from 3-point, and 87.2 percent (34-39 FTs) from the foul line. Ranked third on the team for made and attempted free throws, ranked fourth for made field goals, made 3-pointers.
Ranked among all FIBA Americas Championship competitors 15th in scoring, 14th in assists, eighth in steals, 14th in 3-point percentage and 3rd in free throw percentage.
In the 2007 State Farm USA Basketball Challenge, helped lead the USA Blue Team to a come-from-behind 105-104 victory and recorded 26 points, and added 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals in 31 minutes. He drained the game winner on a 14′ jumper above the foul line with :06 left in the game.
Forced out of basketball action for the 2006 USA Senior National Team after having minor surgery on his right knee on July 15, 2006.
Named on March 5, 2006, to the 2006-2008 USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team.
Kobe’s body of work in the NBA and for our national team is unparalleled, the totality of his sacrifices for the NBA and USA have taken their toll on his body. At least he didn’t squander his skills with alcohol and drugs, his diminishing play is in direct correlation to workouts, on court performance, and representing our magnificent country! He warrants a much more venerated status as a basketball player than what people are currently posting.
tankyou says
Robert, Kobe has been given a pass by most fans until recently. He can damage the team with a bad performance more than any other player by a long shot. Because NO MATTER how BAD he plays, he still leads the team in minutes. So he can miss 15 shots, still out there at the end of the game to miss some more during close games. Byron reports to the media “the black Mamba was a bit tired, might have to look at reducing his minutes”. What?! He has been saying the same crap for months now. So Byron has him skip most practices, yet still plays him 36minutes. WORSE he kept playing Kobe in GARBAGE time, while we were getting blown out–they put Kobe back in when we were down by 20 in the 4th! That happened at least 3 times that I remember. Who even plays their starters the finals minutes during blowouts? Then who even plays their oldest, coming off major injury star this many minutes? Its crazy.
Fans can still watch Kobe play, if he played say 20minutes a game instead. Likely his efficiency would go up at least some, so he wouldn’t be on track to possibly being the worst shooting volume shooter in NBA history. I have been a fan of Kobe since he played in HS. Yeah, even when he was great it frustrated me sometimes when he started to go into 1×5 mode. But now he isn’t the same player, physically he just can’t recover enough, and skills only take you so far in the NBA if your body isn’t up to the task. Kobe gets too much respect, at least from Byron Scott, no other player on the team can play as bad, shoot near as much, play horrible defense YET still play the most minutes. Anyone getting blown by over and over and missing 8 shots in a row is getting benched, except Kobe. Kobe has priveleged status even when its horrible to watch. I don’t want the good memories of Kobe wrecked by watching him continue to struggle like this, I would like to see him play less–but better. I can’t even imagine him playing after this year to be honest. Tim Duncan and some of those other old guys sit out a lot of practices and get to rest games–for a good reason–old guys can’t recover like young ones–its just physiological reality. But this 1980’s garbage, and Kobe complaining about being tired, yet playing a crazy amount anyway for what? Kobe wants his PPG avg, even if the rest of the team starts to despise him, their record is horrible and he gets most of his fans to start to turn on him b/c he is making a mockery of himself–the legendary Kobe Bryant is going to let this be his final chapter?
Hale says
Robert,
There’s a phrase similar to opinions and mambas, or something like that.
But since you asked, there’s really not much worth defending. I’m not thrilled with the MDA-style minutes Byron’s allowed Kobe to run. Nor am I thrilled about his Del Harris-esque lack of playing time for the remaining rookie. Either he’s allowing a stand alone and watch version of his motion offense or he’s not replacing those who won’t run it. If none of those things change it will be a total waste instead of a red shirt season.
As to hyperbolic reaction to all that was known to be bad: opinions and mambas and ingrates. Let Scott, Bryant and whomever walk away with their 8 rings or so and clutch your Steve Nash memorial plushie with matching fun-flavored pringles can. But it’s not just the rings. It’s the clear lack of vision that has besotted this and every franchise periodically. The question is when do they pull their head out and see the light? The stock answer is none of us know what the FO is doing. The most recent years suggest that they don’t know either.
A friend of mine this past weekend showed me a picture of his son with my all-time favorite player – Michael Cooper. That is where the Lakers for years have shown blindness. Instead of pursuing the next big name that was destined to turn them down, they haven’t identified a locked in those players that will help the Magic and Kobe level talent be victorious at the last game of the season. The blindness extends from the FO to the fans and back around.
I’m enjoying not seeing Pau jack up 3s this season. I’m not enjoying seeing Kobe playing crazy minutes first season off of two catastrophic injuries jack up shots like the Lakers have lost its sole collective brain cell.
rr says
I don’t have a problem with Lowe ripping the Lakers and Kobe again, but I do have a problem with the fact that he does it without mentioning the names Buss, Kupchak, or Scott, and says that Kobe has “hijacked the entire organization.” One of the keys to the anti-Kobe stuff is to totally disempower everyone around him.
Calvin Chang says
To anyone throwing Kobe under the bus, criticizing his bad FG, defense, and turnovers, Kobe sums it up with this reply: “don’t know, don’t care”. Kobe’s won 5 rings and is a legend. He’s more than earned the right to do whatever he wants on the court. Even if he shoots 38% the next 2 seasons, there’s no questioning him. He is respected by anybody in the NBA world. Kobe is the Lakers. That’s just how it is, so accept it. That’s what having 5 rings -as the key player- entitles you.
Dave says
Trip and rr: You both make solid points.
I agree with Trip, Lakers leadership has made so many bad decisions that the team’s current state should not be given a pass by the press. We are not experiencing a down period that is part of the natural evolution of an organization. This is the direct result of the FO’s incompetence.
To rr’s point, it would be nice if the press mentioned Jeannie, Jim and or Mitch as the architects of the Lakers’ demise. If the Lakers are going to be on the receiving end of damning criticism then writers should give credit where credit is due.
lil pau says
I would like to thank Darius and all those who helped organize the t-shirt contest. Rest assured that I will visit the most expensive store in my neighborhood to find the finest, most outrageously priced distilled water to assist in releasing the essence of Kareem.
To my fellow competitors, I offer these words of respect:
You m—–f—— are soft like Charmin in this m—–f—–. God damn, is this the type of s— that’s going on in this blog? Now I see why Aaron and Ko post so much! We’re soft like Charmin. We’re soft like s—.
To Darius:
I’m supposed to practice and get better, Darius. I’m supposed to practice and get better. These m—–f—— ain’t doing s— for me.
Sincerely,
Lil Pau
nimble says
Kobe must have pissed in lots of people’s glasses.Amusing.
Archon says
A question I have is, if Kobe was playing this way but was still the 04-05 version of himself how many wins would this team have by the end of the year?
My guess is that this would be a 45-50 win team. I’d take Lamar Odom over everyone else the Lakers currently have but after that this team has more talent then the pre-Gasol, pre-Bynum 2.0 team.
tankyou says
CalvinChang, Completely disagree with you, some of us were fans of the Lakers before Kobe played a game. NO ONE player is bigger than the team, now or ever. Its a perversion of thinking to say Kobe IS the Lakers. Turning Kobe into basically being bigger than the team, is just celebrity worship but with an athlete instead of an actor or singer.
So Scott now says “32mins a game”. Wow, so he might not play entire quarters anymore? As if 2-3 less minutes a game is really going to do anything to preserve Kobe’s body–that’s a joke. High impact sports like basketball are going to leave Kobe less explosive and fatigued regardless, but a few minutes is meaningless. May as well just play him into the ground and continue to blame fatigue for subpar shooting performances. Last I checked this was supposed to be a team sport, but whatever, guess Kobe can break the bad shooting at volume record this year as well, yipee.
Robert says
Wow – incredible discussion people – nice
Chearn: Nice list. Kobe could be HOF on international stuff alone.
Hale: Good post. I think you hit the blend that rr has been asking for. The coaching comparisons are priceless – “MDA-style minutes” “Del Harris-esque” So true in both cases, but I hope Byron is not reading because that is harsh : )
tankyou: Some of your points about Kobe are valid. You think Kobe is too old to be a dominant alpha leader of an NBA team. I do not agree, but whether we agree or not, he is our leader and that is what the front office has architected. The time to have prevented al this was before the extension. Everyone knows I love concerts and rock n roll – both old and new. Many think the Rolling Stones should have retired years ago (and there are valid pints to support that). Perhaps they should make room for a whole new group. However this compete removal of Kobe that you and others seek would be like taking Mick Jagger out of the Rolling Stones and still having them perform !
Trip/Dave: “aside from the Veto all of the damage done to the organization has been self inflicted.” + “This is the direct result of the FO’s incompetence. ” Indeed.
BigCitySid says
-True is as Lakers fans we are being punished. This season fields the strongest Western Conf in history. And our guys are sitting on the sideline. For those who truly love competition how great a season is this to be a fan of a serious contender. Almost ever night would be a must see game. It’s an awesome year to have league pass…and my Lakers aren’t even relevant.
-So we’ll continue to justify our present situation with accomplishments of the past while hoping for a better future under new & more restrictive league rules and unproven ownership.
-Use to wonder why people found car crashes so interesting…this season I’m starting to find out why.
Calvin Chang says
Tankyou: I’m just pointing out reality – the current state of Lakers and Kobe as it is today. That’s how Byron and many fans see Kobe and the current Lakers team. That’s why Kobe has a free pass. He won’t get benched even if he misses 8 in a row, has 4 TOs in a row, gets blown by opponents repeatedly. Like you, I actually disagree with this and want to see team ball, but there’s nothing we can do that will change it. Right now, Kobe is the Lakers.
tankyou says
Calvinchang, Ok I see, you were basically just telling it like it “is” not what it should be per say.
It is frustrating both as an old Kobe fan to watch him decline, but in my opionion in the worst type of manner. He could basically go out proving the true haters wrong and minimizing his role and looking to be more efficient, instead its just adding fuel to the anti-Kobe fire. I’ve been a fan of his for a couple decades and I have to say the games lately have been making me upset. Last game was probably the most frustrated I’ve ever been with Kobe, I wanted that Kings win. I think Kobe actually without a doubt lost the game for us. Now we have a monster of a schedule for the next couple weeks, hoping for a win vs. some of these teams feels like hoping to win the lottery.
Calvin Chang says
Tankyou: Yes, I’m just describing how I believe Byron views this team. And he controls who sits and who plays. Unfortunately, there’s no amount of complaining we can do to make him see things differently. That’s why I think Byron Scott is a mediocre coach. He doesn’t know how to maximize his players or ride the hot hand. Nick Young could be on fire and hit 4 three’s in a quarter, but Scott will still sit him midway through the 2nd quarter. I can’t believe Byron doesn’t see that Kobe shooting contested 21-footers is a 33% shot, while Kobe shooting 12to15 footers is a 66% shot. It’s so much easier to shoot a 15 footer on the fade, compared to a 20 footer fadeaway with a hand in your face.
tankyou says
Calvin, agree. We’ve all seen games where Lin/Young/Hill/Boozer all were on fire and either hitting every jumper or going to the rim and scoring at will. But instead of extended their minutes, he benches them. It’s crazy to me that sometimes when these other guys are playing really well they get no extra minutes, or barely any to speak of. There have been games that Lin/Hill were shooting 70-to-100% (hill one game) yet they played less than 30mins and weren’t able to keep scoring, but guess who got to keep on shooting 🙂