RealGM

I feel that this topic deserves its own thread because I feel as if there is a direct correlation between Kobe resting at the beginning of the 4th quarter, and then him, subsequently, finishing off the game on a high note.

Is there a way to come up with the information needed to prove or disprove my hypothesis?

Mods please do not lock, Thank you

celtics ensure kobe doesnt rest

when rondo's in, kobe goes roaming and doubling and that takes energy

when kobes on pierce or allen, they force him to run through multiple screens

the celtics dont have players that stand around in the corner on offense like the spurs

only time i see kobe resting is when he cant be bothered doubling KG or pierce on the block and during timeouts/substitution

its too important to keep him in there or we'd probably completely fall apart, and i'm sure kobe is in good enough shape to play, and he gets a 5 minute break during commercials

I agree. He needs rests for a few minutes at the ends of 1st and 3 rd quarters.
To get this rest, the bench has to perform.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, it has been during those times when the C's have made their huge runs.
I mean they are making huge runs. In the NBA, you always expect some runs by either team, but the C's are running off 12-0, 18-4 etc... types of runs.

Kobe cannot stay on the bench when the bench is not performing.
Our bench has really failed us in this series, among other factors.

Well, in a perfect world, it would be great for Kobe to rest going into the fourth...

However, Game 6 is way too important. Even if the Lakers are up double-digits, I'd opt for Kobe to be on the floor. The Celtics have proven that they can make big runs against the Laker's defense (especially againt LA's second team).

IMO Phil should look to play Kobe almost the whole game. After all, PP played all but 3-minutes in Game 5...

GO LAKERS

This isn't the time for rest, this is what it is all about and what the season comes down to. This is it! They can rest after the finals. Pierce has been playing entirely the whole 48 minutes, also the same was true for Ray Allen as well a couple of games. His conditioning it excellent and am sure he can manage. When he is out of the game, it is an instant run for the Celtics.

I'm sure you guys have noticed that even when Kobe's in the game and he doesn't touch the ball on offense it usually results in a missed basket or a fumbled pass?

It's game 6 guys, if he needs to be in the game, which will most likely happen, he'll need to play.

Kobe needs to skip the Olympics if the Lakers want to win next year