Can someone explain why Kobe has been struggling this season

[TDPrime2030]

I seriously dont know why, is it because of the knee?

[AceFresh]

Kobe hasn't been a dominant reg. season player probably since his MVP year. I think it's been 2 years (since MSG game) since he dropped 60.
Sure he'll have his occasional outbursts of 40 - but Kobe's days of putting clinics during RS are over - Kobe in full form shows up in playoffs, which is completely fine for me.

[DEEP3CL]

Man you posted this on the GB, frankly is this worth talking about? We already know the reason just live with it man.

[TDPrime2030]

I feel like his finishing ability has been garbage all season though. His shooting was fine up until he hurt his hand I guess.

[dockingsched]

are u sure he's struggling? check the stats, doesn't look like it. he's had a couple of bad games lately, but i wouldn't say he's having a bad yr, just playing less minutes.

other than being down 1% point in his FG, he's pretty much at or above last yr's numbers and pretty comparable to the season before that.


prove that he's struggling.

[dockingsched]

I feel like his finishing ability has been garbage all season though. His shooting was fine up until he hurt his hand I guess.

fg% on close shots that aren't dunks: three yrs ago 56%, two yrs ago 60%, last yr 54%, this yr 56%

[ikidunot]

http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2010/12/kobe-bryant-to-play-despite-injured-finger-joe-smith-gets-in-a-practice.html

He re injured his hand again against the 76ers. So basically Kobe is just working with 3 good fingers(on his dominant hand)

[Pablo Escobar]

32 years old and just came off a knee surgery what do you expect lol plus I'm pretty sure that the knee stopped him from working out in the off season. Like Ace said he can cruise in reg season but when the[playoffs hit that's when we get the dominant Kobe

[Frantik]

Its becoming a widely known fact that Mr. Kobe Bryant will lose the ball 50+% of the time if you pressure him. Somehow the ball just comes loose and it will definitely end up in fast break points for the opponent. You know why? Because Kobe will turn to the officials and complain instead of redeeming himself immediately on the defensive end. Kobe hands out cookies as if hes at an orphanage. Kobe has the ball... oh crap he lost the ball.

But you know what?...its whatever... the guy shows up in the playoffs so ya cant really complain too much. I'll live with it... Frustrating to watch though but hey... he wins at the end...

[TDPrime2030]

I feel like his finishing ability has been garbage all season though. His shooting was fine up until he hurt his hand I guess.

fg% on close shots that aren't dunks: three yrs ago 56%, two yrs ago 60%, last yr 54%, this yr 56%

I don't know where you got last season, but Kobe is shooting 60% from inside and he shot 66% in 08-09.

[Jetset]

Can someone explain why TDPrime2030 made two threads about this same topic this season? But srsly Lakers are known to be in cruise control during the regular season and a little after all-star break this team will put the foot on the pedal and start cranking out dominance all the way till June. Mix that with age, a surgically repaired knee and crazy fingers and you'll have a sloppy Kobe.

[large1974]

You have to ask Kobe only he knows why he is struggling this season.

[chefy]

Hes old

[TyCobb]

http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2010/12/kobe-bryant-to-play-despite-injured-finger-joe-smith-gets-in-a-practice.html

He re injured his hand again against the 76ers. So basically Kobe is just working with 3 good fingers(on his dominant hand)

Maybe Kobe should sit out until the All-Star break to get some much needed rest and let his injuries heal.

[Atmanne]

I don't think rest is gonna do his fingers any good.

Nor do I think he's struggling.

[Frantik]

I don't think rest is gonna do his fingers any good.

Nor do I think he's struggling.

Question: How long have you been following this team?

put all the records aside and focus on the KOBE... the way he closes in on a defensive help job. the way he avoids in-the-post contact, the way he looses the ball, the way he complains, etc etc...
Forget whatever the stats say... Kobe Bryant ain't playing the same way... its just the truth. Yes he will eventually have a series of good games. but the sloppy days are beginning to seriously outnumber the good days...cant deny that one.... and that's no good when you're Kobe Bryant.

[Kalidogg24]

Kobe hasn't been a dominant reg. season player probably since his MVP year. I think it's been 2 years (since MSG game) since he dropped 60.

I don't know bro . LoL
Kobe's MVP season was in 2008 and his Madison Square Garden 61 point out burst was in 2009.
That same year we won the chip against the Magic.
Kobe was murdering that entire 2009 regular season.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFj0KUzofNg[/youtube]

[Optms]

He had something like 15+ games where he scored 20 or more point games before abruptly coming to an end with the finger injury game. On 33 mpg? Struggling year?

Maybe a bad two week stretch here, but his season is fine, imo.

[SashAlex]

Its becoming a widely known fact that Mr. Kobe Bryant will lose the ball 50+% of the time if you pressure him. Somehow the ball just comes loose and it will definitely end up in fast break points for the opponent. You know why? Because Kobe will turn to the officials and complain instead of redeeming himself immediately on the defensive end. Kobe hands out cookies as if hes at an orphanage. Kobe has the ball... oh crap he lost the ball.

But you know what?...its whatever... the guy shows up in the playoffs so ya cant really complain too much. I'll live with it... Frustrating to watch though but hey... he wins at the end...

So damn true ! +1

[b shaw20]

I don't think rest is gonna do his fingers any good.

Nor do I think he's struggling.

Question: How long have you been following this team?

put all the records aside and focus on the KOBE... the way he closes in on a defensive help job. the way he avoids in-the-post contact, the way he looses the ball, the way he complains, etc etc...
Forget whatever the stats say... Kobe Bryant ain't playing the same way... its just the truth. Yes he will eventually have a series of good games. but the sloppy days are beginning to seriously outnumber the good days...cant deny that one.... and that's no good when you're Kobe Bryant.

I agree with your post Frantik. And I have to believe the reason Kobe has not been Kobe is his conscious effort to be more of a perimeter player as he gets older. But the knee and finger injuries, coupled with the number of games he has had to play since Gasol trade may also have influenced his decision to live with perimeter shots.

Less layups/dunks + more jumpshots (with f up finger to boot) + Kobes confidence to make difficult shots + wear and tear = sub par Kobe stats

I recall the first few games of this year, Kobe was posting up a lot and either shooting or creating from there and I though if he continued to that we'd be killing people. He is great in the post, yet I think he prefers to get defenders in front of him (what makes him the best one v one player that he is).

I think if he goes back in the paint and attack before the double team comes, he will be a nightmare to deal with ( not Wade, not Lebron, not Ray Allan, not Ginobili can guard him in there ). Hell, he let's them off the hook when he step jabs and fades from 20'.

He needs to attack like he used to and after am few layups, the jumps shots will be much easier when he has guys backpedalling. Just saying...