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I'm not going to overreact to two bad games, but the telltale signs are there. Watching Kobe 08-09 to this year's Kobe it's even more obvious. I'm not sure if maybe it's a confidence thing, or a mental thing, but these performances are happening much more frequently than in years past. The difference this time around is that he has two players who can score the ball more consistently then him. If he has a bad game, and he decided to defer to Bynum and Gasol, we'd be fine. I couldn't say that as recently as last year. Kobe has been unable to turn it on when he's had to like in year's past. He's having a harder time flipping the switch.

The success of this years team still rides on Kobe's shoulders. But amnestying Kobe a year or two from now doesn't seem out of the question, not with news of the Lakers choosing to pick up Bynum's option. Are we as Laker fans ready to move on into the next stage of Kobe's career where he is no longer the number 1 option? What would have happened had Kobe given 7 of his 27 shots to Bynum or Gasol? What are the odds that those 7 shots translate to 4 more points?

Are we ready?

I personally think he's too focused on getting that scoring title. I don't really see any other reason why anyone would be taking that many shots. And there is no way Lakers amnesty Kobe out of loyalty so no it's not an option. Maybe if amnestying meant they wouldn't have to pay him they'd do it but even that is a stretch.

We are not going to amnesty kobe! He brings in more revenue than he makes. It would be stupid to pay him 30 mill to play for another team!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7aBGh9tJWg[/youtube]

I know we wouldn't amnesty Kobe, I know that. But I also knew we wouldn't trade Fisher to save money, and that didn't turn out too well. Seeing how the Lakers cleaned house after Phil, the Lakers front office has about as much loyalty to the franchise as they do to me. I know that we all know Kobe won't be amnestied, but I wouldn't be surprised if sometime in the next two years, if Kobe continues to regress, and Bynum continues to grow, Jimmy laying down the orders.

dockingsched wrote:[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7aBGh9tJWg[/youtube]

dockingsched wrote:[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7aBGh9tJWg[/youtube]

one of the reasons our bigs put up great numbers is because Kobe shooting recklessly..in weirdest position that any players could imagine (& still make some), so the defenders very aware with Kobe & open up space for our bigs. They need more touches ? yeah maybe.. but remember, they exclusively playing in high post/low post, the offense will be stale more.. & our 3pt shooting arent great either in case we kickout from double.

Sadly, I think the answer here is yes

Mirjalovic wrote:one of the reasons our bigs put up great numbers is because Kobe shooting recklessly..in weirdest position that any players could imagine (& still make some), so the defenders very aware with Kobe & open up space for our bigs. They need more touches ? yeah maybe.. but remember, they exclusively playing in high post/low post, the offense will be stale more.. & our 3pt shooting arent great either in case we kickout from double.

Not really, put the ball in Session's hands, the offense won't stall. You can't be saying Gasol and Bynum's success is because Kobe is shooting recklessly rofl...

FullCircle wrote:I know we wouldn't amnesty Kobe, I know that. But I also knew we wouldn't trade Fisher to save money, and that didn't turn out too well. Seeing how the Lakers cleaned house after Phil, the Lakers front office has about as much loyalty to the franchise as they do to me. I know that we all know Kobe won't be amnestied, but I wouldn't be surprised if sometime in the next two years, if Kobe continues to regress, and Bynum continues to grow, Jimmy laying down the orders.

Fisher is nowhere near Kobe in an amazing amount of ways. Plus amnestying Kobe wouldn't even be about loyalty only, it'd be about $$$$.

Kobe needs to defer to his bigs! He is not done yet!
I think he is jacking up shots to prove that he is in charge of the team. When he figures out that Bynum and Gasol are the first options then his game will come easier for him!

dockingsched wrote:[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7aBGh9tJWg[/youtube]

"OMG OMG !!! TOOO THE EEEND OF THE ROAD!! IIII IIII AYE CAAAAANT LET GOOOOO!"

I think he still has another 2 or so good years left in him, just not sure if it would enough to carry us to another title. Right now though, I think he just needs some rest for his legs. Look at him at the beginning of the season and look at him now, there is a clear drop-off in speed and agility, especially his first step

Knee jerk reaction. Lets revisit this thread at the end of the year when Kobe is the scoring champion while holding up his Finals MVP trophy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7P4SVFG7a8[/youtube]

doozyj wrote:Knee jerk reaction. Lets revisit this thread at the end of the year when Kobe is the scoring champion while holding up his Finals MVP trophy.

I'd love to.

ive seen this thread every year about this time for the last 6 years...and while each passing year it gets closer and closer to be being true, it is still knee jerk...the fire is still there, and thats all he needs to be an effective player in this league..