Can someone explain why Kobe has been struggling this season

[laduane1]

Lakers just did not have it Sunday. Wow what a ass kicking. This needs to stop soon.

[H00PDREAMS]

I think some of this can be attributed to the Team USA experiment. All the stars know how Kobe works now. They have seen his game alot closer than usual. All NBA players talk so they know what Kobe doesn't do well.

Kobe is so dominate that teams are applying a heck of lot attention to him. They know his team differs to him when they shouldn't. So they all collapse on him at the end of the shot clock. Play Pau straight up rough defense and double/triple team Kobe in the paint, and you have the best chance of defeating the Lakers.

Wade seems to have become the Kobe stopper expert. He does not beat Kobe up defensively but he just gets under his skin. Wade does the little things to disrupt Kobe's game.

But like everyone said before here, Kobe usually is quick to adapt, reequip and readjust his game.

[b shaw20]

"Lakers really don't need home court advantage if history proves anything. Lakers/Spurs can win a title by going on the road"

I assume you watched game 7 last year, and you can honestly say the Lakers would have come back from 13 in Boston? Or 16 vs Portland back in 2000?

Yes, I know we can win on the road but pivotal game at home are priceless. I'm not sure what history you are referring to son, but judging from when you started to watch basketball your history is shorter than mine.

And I know Kobe will be fine, but as mentioned I'm concerned about taking the path of least resistance to a 3rd chip. This means win now.

Wow. Sounds like guys really think this team is on auto pilot & can just turn it on at will. Last time we tried that we were put out by the Spurs then the following season damn near got swept in the Finals by the Pistons. B Shaw, I'm telling you now IF we don't win it this year the board will ne a wreck because to many of us are in denial about what it takes to win it all. It's good to see you understand how important it is.

Ankle,

Frankly, I could care less how much of the board will react if we don't right the ship. I know many are real Laker fans who have a true loyalty for the team over all else. But I think there are those who kinda bandwagon and are blind to our deficiencies because "we got Kobe".

The way it looks now, we will have to find a real good groove going into the playoffs. It will be the only way we may catch Dallas and SA ( or win on the road ). Then battle it out with Heat or Celtics with them holding HC. I'm not sure if it will be too much to overcome. Could we? Sure we could, but if we were not able to (eg 2008) I would not be surprised.

The sad thing for me is that this team has the most talent as any Laker team in the last decade. I really believed the chip was ripe for the taking: cruise to HCA, front court health, sweep through a weaker West then face the East champion after they battled in 6-7 games series.

Kobe gets 6th ring, phil retires on top, Celtics disban and Heat saying "now what?"

I'm just saying, with every loss this scenario is less likely and the Lakers will have themselves to blame. What a waste of potential....

[magic1fan]

b shaw your post was spot on,the only thing i disagree with is this team having the most talent in the last decade. those 2000-02 teams were more stacked imo.

[b shaw20]

b shaw your post was spot on,the only thing i disagree with is this team having the most talent in the last decade. those 2000-02 teams were more stacked imo.

Magic, it's up for debate I'll give you that. But off the top of my head, some of our key guys (in terms minutes played) in those teams were deveon george, samaki walker, ac green, older horace grant, young fish, fox to name a few. My recollection tells me those were good role players surrounding shaq in his prime and a fearless Kobe.

I think this team has incredible fc depth/size, athleticism, shooters and Kobe to boot. We have a bunch of guys off the bench that have been starters on other teams. 1-9 deep, instead 1-3 with great role players. But like I said, definitely debatable.

[Dr Aki]

id be incredibly concerned if we were playing like this in April, but really that happened last season as well and we still pulled it out of our asses at the last moment.

knowing that we were on the cusp of it completely falling apart in the POs but still succeeding have me both reticent and apprehensive

[schematics]

seriously dont know why, is it because of the knee?[/quote]

[schematics]

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.

QFT!

[Anklebreaker702]

b shaw your post was spot on,the only thing i disagree with is this team having the most talent in the last decade. those 2000-02 teams were more stacked imo.

Magic, it's up for debate I'll give you that. But off the top of my head, some of our key guys (in terms minutes played) in those teams were deveon george, samaki walker, ac green, older horace grant, young fish, fox to name a few. My recollection tells me those were good role players surrounding shaq in his prime and a fearless Kobe.

I think this team has incredible fc depth/size, athleticism, shooters and Kobe to boot. We have a bunch of guys off the bench that have been starters on other teams. 1-9 deep, instead 1-3 with great role players. But like I said, definitely debatable.

This team is much more deep. Those teams were pretty much Shaq, Kobe, & roll players.

[Anklebreaker702]

"Lakers really don't need home court advantage if history proves anything. Lakers/Spurs can win a title by going on the road"

I assume you watched game 7 last year, and you can honestly say the Lakers would have come back from 13 in Boston? Or 16 vs Portland back in 2000?

Yes, I know we can win on the road but pivotal game at home are priceless. I'm not sure what history you are referring to son, but judging from when you started to watch basketball your history is shorter than mine.

And I know Kobe will be fine, but as mentioned I'm concerned about taking the path of least resistance to a 3rd chip. This means win now.

Wow. Sounds like guys really think this team is on auto pilot & can just turn it on at will. Last time we tried that we were put out by the Spurs then the following season damn near got swept in the Finals by the Pistons. B Shaw, I'm telling you now IF we don't win it this year the board will ne a wreck because to many of us are in denial about what it takes to win it all. It's good to see you understand how important it is.

Ankle,

Frankly, I could care less how much of the board will react if we don't right the ship. I know many are real Laker fans who have a true loyalty for the team over all else. But I think there are those who kinda bandwagon and are blind to our deficiencies because "we got Kobe".

The way it looks now, we will have to find a real good groove going into the playoffs. It will be the only way we may catch Dallas and SA ( or win on the road ). Then battle it out with Heat or Celtics with them holding HC. I'm not sure if it will be too much to overcome. Could we? Sure we could, but if we were not able to (eg 2008) I would not be surprised.

The sad thing for me is that this team has the most talent as any Laker team in the last decade. I really believed the chip was ripe for the taking: cruise to HCA, front court health, sweep through a weaker West then face the East champion after they battled in 6-7 games series.

Kobe gets 6th ring, phil retires on top, Celtics disban and Heat saying "now what?"

I'm just saying, with every loss this scenario is less likely and the Lakers will have themselves to blame. What a waste of potential....

Oh i'm with you on all points, but the funny thing is the "we got Kobe" attitude is what's costing us games from him & his teammates.

[stu_sutcliffe]

seriously dont know why, is it because of the knee?[/quote]

If so, he should stay within the triangle and not purposely break out of it.

[TDPrime2030]

He has been beasting lately...it was definitely just a slump.

[LAKERS_1981]

I think Kobe has been playing at the same level or better this season then last season. He is not slowing down. His min is down and that is great for the playoffs i like how his O is doing but it is his D that has been hurting the team.

Kobe in the last 4 games 28,5 pts on 55%FG that is not bad.