Kobe Assist Numbers: Will they improve?

[MasterRyu]

It seems like with the addition of Artest playing the role of facilitator in the triangle, Kobe doesn't seem to look for players as much. Will he finish the season with at least 5 a game?

[CodyB]

I think he's still getting comfortable with his post game. Once him, Bynum and Gasol work out their spacing on the court his assist numbers are going to go up, maybe not up to 5, but around 4.5 I'd say. Might I also add, the Lakers are going to be deadly once that happens. I'd say the best halfcourt offense in the history of the game, Kobe shooting 50+%, Bynum and Gasol shooting 60%~ and Artest and Odom swooping when the oppurtunity arises.

[Slava]

His assist numbers have gone up since Pau returned I guess. Should get better once the offense is lot more settled.

[magic1fan]

not really worried about his numbers. the ball seems to be moving really well. the assists seem more balanced,and that tells me that one man is not dominating the ball.

[Anklebreaker702]

Kobe could be near the leaders in assists if he chose to do so, but he has never made that a priority in his career so he's not going to start now. His priority usually lies with scoring. I really wish he would consider it though.

[MasterRyu]

Yeah, I too think that Kobe can crunch up those assists if he puts his mind to it. It's just kinda been an interesting season so far, in which Kobe is averaging 1-2 assists per game lower than he has in the past 3-4 years; Then he's also shooting a near 50% FG and is recording his highest steals average since the 02 season. Obviously this is all too early and everything may well soon level out.

[Magicontinues]

not really worried about his numbers. the ball seems to be moving really well. the assists seem more balanced,and that tells me that one man is not dominating the ball.

Exactly, I'm not worried about it, He's playing some of the best ball of his career, the teams playing great, his numbers will end up where they always are, excellent.

[TommyTheCat]

the only numbers that matter are Ws and Championships

[MAMBAEMD]

Kobe's game has transformed over the years from a "scorer mentality" to a "do whatever it takes to win mentality"
His assist numbers will go up and down depending what the team needs are.
He wants to win more than anything. I don't think he cares much about any number other than the number of rings he has when he retires.

[vinnycorleone]

there was a quote from a year ago i forget where i read it but kobe said that if he wanted to average 10 assists a game he could but he considers himself a scorer and thats what he gets paid to do.