Earlier in the week we talked about recent improved play from Kobe and him embracing the type of player he did not envision he would hold on to become late in his career. The last couple of games, however, Kobe has even exceeded that level of play.
It may be too early to say that this is the new norm, but we’re approaching the point where those who buried him as being “done” might do well to re-evaluate those firm statements and call them premature. Again, the sample needs to get bigger, but the fact that there’s a sample at all is encouraging.
The latest evidence of a revival came on Thursday night, where Kobe seemed intent to give us a game version of the #throwbackthursday hashtag:
Kobe Bryant? showed off some of that vintage vino Thursday night against the Rockets ? #NBAVOTEhttps://t.co/7tfmLa8GVY
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 18, 2015
The highight’s speak for themselves — especially that dunk over a surprised-he’s-about-to-dunk-on-me Clint Capela — but his boxscore does too. 22 points on 9-16 shooting, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block. His scoring would have been even better, too, if he’d not uncharacteristically missed 5 of his 7 free throw attempts.
We’ll see if Kobe can keep it up. Like his poor play earlier in the year, though, there’s actually not a lot to tell me his current level is some sort of fluke.
His legs do look fresher. His game does look more controlled. He’s got more burst off the dribble and with his jumper falling a bit more, defenders are playing him more honest. This all creates a domino effect of small things that add to his ability to make any given play at any given time. This creates an uncertainty in defenders that, as a 20 year HOF caliber player who has seen it all before, Kobe can capitalize on.
Time will tell, of course. But, for now, I’m just going to enjoy this. After all the hits Kobe took earlier in the year for being terrible, it’s nice to see him recover some and deliver some of those hits back.
bluehill says
That dunk was great to see. Really like the way Kobe has been playing and his encouragement of the young guys.
Baylor Fan says
Kobe had a hot 3rd quarter and I was interested to see how he would look in the 4th. Unfortunately, it looked like the extra minutes he played last night should have been spent on the bench. He definitely provided a spark and gave the Staple stars something to cheer for. However, it would help if he maintained his recent discipline and played fewer minutes.
Mark Sigal says
There are two nuggets of goodness in Kobe’s recent revival. One is the pure joy of having entire games where Kobe looks like Kobe. I honestly did not expect to see that again.
Two is that Kobe the scientist now has irrefutable data that tells him that jacking up 30 shots is not likely to lead to good outcomes for his legs or his lift. The beauty of Kobe is that he has historically been one to measure his capabilities and self-correct. Now, that he’s gauging his limits, coupled with his legs coming back a bit, there is real prospect that this could be the new Kobe for the rest of the year.
matt says
Go was going all out last night, i was fearing injury
I can’t stand to watch lakers on national television, all the announcers opinions really upset me, it’s like they rub it in, they ought to let them talk trash and then right before commercial break have the camera zoom up to the area at staples were all the banners and jerseys are just to remind the league we still the lakers
Robert says
Kareem changed his mind. So can Kobe : )
Not living in the past, but not living in the future either. I like living in the present : )
Kevin says
just to remind the league we still the lakers
—
Best way to do that is by winning. We’re a few years away from doing that though.
lil pau says
Also a throw-DOWN thursday.
KenOak says
I had a ton of fun watching the team last night despite the loss. That dunk was something to see and I found myself standing up in the living room as only a special play can have me doing. That’s the Kobe that I want to remember. That’s the Kobe that I have loved watching all these years. That’s the Kobe that’s still selling out arenas across our country. Treasure these moments FB&G’ers because they are dwindling right before our eyes.
the other Stephen says
My favorite things about the dunk, aside from the dunk itself:
2) Nick Young’s reaction
3) The fact that Capela actually got all ball
KenOak says
It’s kinda weird…There seems to be more commenters when Kobe puts up a 4-20 night and looks terrible than there are when he shoots 50% and turns back the clock for a minute.
Robert says
KenOak: I agree however there is nothing weird about it. First, we have a decent number of KB haters amongst us so they post on the bad nights for obvious reasons. Further, there are lots of posters are Byron bashers and they blame Kobe’s off nights on Byron hence they post more when that happens. There are also a large number of self proclaimed “true fans” who think that anything and anyone over the age of 22 should be thrown overboard so they get vocal when KB has a bad night. There is a small core of KB fans who will root for him no matter what. I am OK with all of it, however I myself try to be consistent. Without regard to how Kobe plays, I am very consistent about 2 things. Kobe rules ! Jim needs to resign !
KO says
Ken
Easier to blame one guy for a loss then;
Entire team
Coach
Front office
Scouts
Valet
Cheerleader
Stern
Nash
Howard
Trainers
Aaron
Me
Etc
Ist one easy 2nd takes time and effort and lots of words.
R says
Robert, you are short changing yourself. You are also quite consistent in your hatred of the Spurs. This in spite of the opinion, in some quarters, that they “are such a pleasure to watch”.
Mid-Wilshire says
For those of you following the D League exploits of Tarik Black, below is a link to his most recent game (Friday night) in which he had 17 pts. and 12 rebounds. To my eyes, he looks much too good for the D League. Will he get any playing time under Byron?
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/12/19/10625824/la-lakers-tarik-black-d-league-ryan-kelly
Craig W. says
We are still in the 1st half of the season.
That being said, I am ok with Russell and Randle coming off the bench. They both need to learn to dominate a game and that is generally more difficult against starters. Randle, in particular, seems to like to drive into a crowd and this is more a problem when playing against the starters of most teams. They can both gain more success and Randle can learn different offensive moves coming off the bench. Once habits are formed, they can begin starting.
Craig W. says
The only reason Sacre would be playing, instead of Black, would be that a team just might want someone to backup their backup or a center gets injured. My guess is that Mitch would love to trade the combination of Sacre & Young for draft picks.
Now is the time to play them.
KevTheBold says
@KenOak, the majority of the comments for this game, were exhausted, in the previous article.
Marlon Brando says
KenOak: The same thing seemed to happen around here when DAR was struggling at the beginning of the year. Since he’s started to see the corner that hopefully he can turn people comment less (also, Mudiay is playing horribly so that narrative is gone). People are livid about the direction of this franchise, so it’s no surprise to me that the vast majority of fans desire to wallow in the bad than excentuate the good.
Seeing Kobe old man slam against the rockets made me a very happy Laker fan that evening, regardless of the outcome. My expectations are obviously tempered, but I can still appreciate greatness and growth. I live in the Bay Area and can’t wait to see Kobe in Oracle one last time. We’re going to get spanked, and Kobe will probably be smothered, but I’ll still have my number 8 on cheering until my lungs burst.