Theory about Kobe - He's addicted to the clutch

[Imadogg]

Make sure you read this post to know wtf I'm talking about... this is a very valid theory I've been thinking of recently..

This year we've seen way too many games come down to the wire. Games where we have the lead and blow it, and it comes down to the last shot. Games where we see Kobe shoot 0-6 in the 4th, as the other team catches up, before making the game winning shot...

This got me thinking... what if Kobe is just biologically addicted to the suspense, to the clutch situations? What if he gets a rush of endorphins near the end of games, and he tries to get that feeling when he can? What if the regular season is so boring that he needs to practice clutch moments to get ready for the playoffs? Can't really practice clutch in practice.

I'm not saying he misses shots on purpose or anything... but we've seen his shot selection in some 4th qtrs. What if he takes crazy shots to test himself because he's bored, and figures if they miss, oh well I can get the game winner and it's all good? Or, we're up 2-1, might as well try some stuff this game and see what happens at the end... because it gives him that rush? If we lose then it''s only 2-2.

Of course he knows when not to play like that, when he needs to play for real all game so we don't get knocked out of the playoffs or so we win it all.. He won't be trying to get that high in game 5 of this series, or near the last few games of the Finals...

But just think about it. I know I'm on to something

[Rerisen]

Your theory isn't without evidence. But at the pro level? It sounds pretty absurd.

Kobe Bryant once admitted that back in high school he would miss shots or turn the ball over purposely late in games, in order to set himself up to shoot the game winning shot at the end.

http://nbatipoff.com/2010/02/kobe-bryan ... stood.html

[Base]

Make sure you read this post to know wtf I'm talking about... this is a very valid theory I've been thinking of recently..

This year we've seen way too many games come down to the wire. Games where we have the lead and blow it, and it comes down to the last shot. Games where we see Kobe shoot 0-6 in the 4th, as the other team catches up, before making the game winning shot...

This got me thinking... what if Kobe is just biologically addicted to the suspense, to the clutch situations? What if he gets a rush of endorphins near the end of games, and he tries to get that feeling when he can? What if the regular season is so boring that he needs to practice clutch moments to get ready for the playoffs? Can't really practice clutch in practice.

I'm not saying he misses shots on purpose or anything... but we've seen his shot selection in some 4th qtrs. What if he takes crazy shots to test himself because he's bored, and figures if they miss, oh well I can get the game winner and it's all good? Or, we're up 2-1, might as well try some stuff this game and see what happens at the end... because it gives him that rush? If we lose then it''s only 2-2.

Of course he knows when not to play like that, when he needs to play for real all game so we don't get knocked out of the playoffs or so we win it all.. He won't be trying to get that high in game 5 of this series, or near the last few games of the Finals...

But just think about it. I know I'm on to something

I honestly do this in 2k10 (yeah, I don't have 2k11), so I can make it close and exciting for myself in the end. I end up losing some games cause I am an idiot, but I get a rush making shots at the buzzer. Don't think Kobe is purposely missing shots, but I think he throws up ridiculous shots not cause he thinks he can draw a foul (nobody get's those calls), but because he wants to act like a God. I mean he can shoot 1-10 on crazy ass shots, but the one he made, people will remember how epic it was.

I don't think he is trying to keep the game close for a heroic finish, but it just happens that way because he is trying to be a God making Godly shots.

To Recap:
1. Kobe doesn't purposely miss shots
2. Kobe tries to be a God all the time
3. The game get's closer as Kobe misses his Godly shots.
4. Kobe plays hero when the game is close.
5. Sometimes he hits a game winner.

[Imadogg]

Your theory isn't without evidence. But at the pro level? It sounds pretty absurd.

Kobe Bryant once admitted that back in high school he would miss shots or turn the ball over purposely late in games, in order to set himself up to shoot the game winning shot at the end.

http://nbatipoff.com/2010/02/kobe-bryan ... stood.html

Thanks for that, I actually didn't even know that but it adds some credence to my theory.

I know it sounds absurd and I don't think Kobe would dare think like this when a series or title is on the line... but some games against bad teams in the regular season that he (and his GOAT coach) don't care about... I think it's definitely plausible. Hell even in a first round series against a team the Lakers think might be a joke like the Hornets I think it's possible.. until now that is since we're tied 2-2 and don't want to go down 3-2.

[semi-sentient]

Thanks for that, I actually didn't even know that but it adds some credence to my theory.

Don't believe everything you read. That's a blog post (which anyone can write) and unless someone is directly quoting Kobe I call BS. I've never heard him say that before.

... and what's with all the rap lyrics on that blog post? Pretty annoying.

[Rerisen]

I actually remember hearing the Kobe high school story several years ago, which the OP's post triggered the memory, and it prompted me to try and find some kind of evidence. I'd be very surprised if that was the only or original source of it.

Apparently someone told Phil the same thing. Odd that he would go public on a suspect source.

Jackson then added: "Someone told me that in high school, Kobe used to sabotage his own games. So the game could be close. So he could dominate at the end. To sabotage the team process, to be so self-centered in your own process--it's almost stupefying."

http://articles.latimes.com/2001/mar/27/sports/sp-43226

Like I said, it doesn't hold up to credibility at the NBA level though. If Kobe did such a thing (he denied it in the L.A times link above) in High School it was probably to prepare for being in that position at the highest level in the first place.

[semi-sentient]

Yeah, I've heard that someone said that to Phil, and I suspect that's where the blog writer got his information.

[semi-sentient]

To Recap:
1. Kobe doesn't purposely miss shots

Agreed. There is absolutely no evidence that he has ever done that, and I've never once suspected it.

2. Kobe tries to be a God all the time

Yep, and this is where the problem lies. In his God-like quest, he makes poor decisions and ends up taking more difficult shots than he should.

3. The game get's closer as Kobe misses his Godly shots.

I don't know if I would go this far. Kobe is a VERY efficient when it comes to the last 5 minutes of close games, so the implication that he shoots us out of games (consistently) is not well supported, although it has happened. See HERE.

4. Kobe plays hero when the game is close.
5. Sometimes he hits a game winner.

Pretty much. Even though Kobe is efficient in crunch time, he hasn't fared too well when it comes to game-winners in the playoffs (most players don't). If my numbers are right, he's 6-18 for his career in the playoffs (using 82games.com rules for a game-winning attempt, which I don't necessarily agree with as he's hit MANY shots with 25-30 seconds left) -- and many of those are long ass 3-pointers that could have been avoided. I watched a lot of tape of Jordan in his close playoff games (he was 8-17 on his game-winners, I believe) and he rarely settled for long 3-pointers. However, he did have Pippen to help create plays so that allowed him to play off the ball and get better position -- something that we've never really had outside of Kobe.

As has always been the case, Kobe's decision-making is ultimately the problem, and it's largely because he wants to be God all the time.

[Rerisen]

You are probably right, I did not realize that it had been such a flap in the past with the Lakers. Just remembered it being a rumor that was out there. Apparently there's a lot of dirt with the story. Which long time Laker die hards probably already know.

Jackson was quoted as saying he heard Bryant sabotaged games in high school to keep them close so he could come up with game-saving heroics. Jackson also was quoted as saying: "The other day I said to Kobe, 'What's the problem?' He said, 'The game's too boring for me. The offense is so simple. It doesn't display my talent.' "

Bryant dismissed the comment about sabotaging games as pure baloney. He was deeply hurt, though, that Jackson would make public their private conversations.

...

Surely, Jackson, known for toying with players’ minds, meant the jab as some sort of psychotherapy, aimed at convincing Bryant to buy into Jackson’s triangle philosophy. But it backfired. Although Bryant never really addressed the accusations — saying only that the claim was “ridiculous” — the comments pierced Bryant. It all came to head during a team meeting, where Rick Fox told Bryant and Shaq that they acted apart from the team.

“Quit your crying,” Bryant remarked.

Jackson jumped in to defend Fox, noting that Kobe was “as much to blame, as Shaq, if not more.” Bryant responded: “You’re the one who should -bleeping- talk. You said I sabotaged games.” link

Whatever the case, Kobe has matured a great deal as a player and person I believe.

[Imadogg]

Either way, I didn't know about the previous quote, this was something I just thought up haha. I know he's addicted to those suspenseful moments.

[crimsonkb24]

stupid theory, i mean really, he is addicted to winning, he wouldnt blow leads on purpose. Or bench blowes all the leads and thats because shannon chucks up shots all the time

[magic1fan]

i don't know what goes on in kobe's head but i doubt he tries to keep games close on purpose. in all honesty it's kobe's sometimes urgency to burst games open that backfires on him. i have seen him a few times feed the post for scores. then feed odom for a score. then he would come down and hit a midrange jumper from the freethrow line or something. then all of a sudden he pulls up from way downtown trying to turn an eight point lead into 11 or a 12 point lead into 15. just trying to kill the oppositions will.

[Base]

stupid theory, i mean really, he is addicted to winning, he wouldnt blow leads on purpose. Or bench blowes all the leads and thats because shannon chucks up shots all the time

It's not entirely true. Last two years, the Lakers won the championship, did they not? I don't think Kobe even gives a crap about losing game 63 in the season.

Like you said, he is addicted to winning. Along with his game winners, he can win a championship like he has for the past two years. It doesn't matter if you're the 35-47 Indiana Pacers, if you win the championship, it doesn't matter how many games you lost in the regular season.

[vmor]

well, it is likely too far-fetched on the conscious level. But many decisions are made deeper on the UNconscious level, and one may not be aware of the "reasons"...

I don't say that that's the case... but I see his ego getting in the way of team play sometimes, usually when some self-proclaimed "Kobe-killer" challenges him - or when somebody really good is able to compete (Ariza?)

[Mamba Venom]

Kobe 62, Dallas 61, DNP4th quarter = disproves theory.

Give NO credit. Kobe would prefer a sweep in every round of the play-offs.

[Imadogg]

Kobe 62, Dallas 61, DNP4th quarter = disproves theory.

Give NO credit. Kobe would prefer a sweep in every round of the play-offs.

.... why would he do it every game.. like one where we're up 30pts.

Also, Kobe honestly probably would hate to sweep everyone. Better to have more games to reach more all time records (like most playoff pts ever, etc)