Kobe can no longer be THAT GUY

[tracey_nice]

To me, this appears to be a common misconception among fans and the media. Kobe was still getting double teamed every time he touched the ball, the fact that the Lakers couldn't hit shots or would turn down shots due to lack-of-confidence is hardly Kobes fault. Kobe is still able to dominant at the highest level and is far from the problem. The Lakers did not make Dallas pay for doubling Kobe almost every time he touched the ball, especially in the post. I think that saying Kobe is no longer that guy or no longer Kobe couldn't be further from the truth.

I will admit tho, Kobe may have once said F the double-team and probably not make the smart basketball play but with the talent around him, Kobe is playing the right basketball. Lakers need to be able to hit shots.

Side note: Dallas was daring the Lakers to shot, they clogged the paint and doubled Kobe, anywhere below the 3 point line.

[Kilroy]

The problem is that now when Kobe's double-teamed, one of them is always slapping at the ball...
Kobe used to be able to palm the ball and get it out of reach but now he can't and they've had success knocking it away or hurting his hand...

Those used to result in foul calls too, but not anymore.

Just get the damn hand fixed Kobe... If that's still an option.

[tracey_nice]

The problem is that now when Kobe's double-teamed, one of them is always slapping at the ball...
Kobe used to be able to palm the ball and get it out of reach but now he can't and they've had success knocking it away or hurting his hand...

Those used to result in foul calls too, but not anymore.

Just get the damn hand fixed Kobe... If that's still an option.

Good points.

[tugs]

I believe these articles fit here and doesn't have to have a separate topic.

On Kobe not being THAT GUY:

In regards to Bynum’s offensive demands that he made Tuesday with local media, Bryant stated that the ball should continue to go through him first, Gasol second.

“Ultimately, he’ll have to fall in line because I’m gonna shoot the ball,” Bryant said. “We all know that. Pau is going to get his touches. He’s No. 2. And then [Andrew] will have to fall in line.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AtBYppYNiFclWoioVdKzN.i8vLYF?slug=mc-spears_kobe_bryant_pau_gasol_bynum051111

This is rather interesting:

Bryant sat out most of the Lakers' practices this season, something he hoped to change because some teammates "felt like they could take days off because I'm not there.

"It's like your big brother not being around. … It's upsetting to me. They knew going in what my knee situation was. We communicated that with them. It's upsetting, it's disappointing to me because I wasn't able to get out there with them every day.

"Next season will be different. I have this whole off-season to get strong just so I can get out there and kick their [butt] in practice and we'll have no excuses."

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/213658/Bryant_To_Focus_On_Getting_Stronger_Hopes_Kupchak_Keeps_Team_Intact

HE IS STILL THAT GUY.

[tracey_nice]

I believe these articles fit here and doesn't have to have a separate topic.

On Kobe not being THAT GUY:

In regards to Bynum’s offensive demands that he made Tuesday with local media, Bryant stated that the ball should continue to go through him first, Gasol second.

“Ultimately, he’ll have to fall in line because I’m gonna shoot the ball,” Bryant said. “We all know that. Pau is going to get his touches. He’s No. 2. And then [Andrew] will have to fall in line.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AtBYppYNiFclWoioVdKzN.i8vLYF?slug=mc-spears_kobe_bryant_pau_gasol_bynum051111

This is rather interesting:

Bryant sat out most of the Lakers' practices this season, something he hoped to change because some teammates "felt like they could take days off because I'm not there.

"It's like your big brother not being around. … It's upsetting to me. They knew going in what my knee situation was. We communicated that with them. It's upsetting, it's disappointing to me because I wasn't able to get out there with them every day.

"Next season will be different. I have this whole off-season to get strong just so I can get out there and kick their [butt] in practice and we'll have no excuses."

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/213658/Bryant_To_Focus_On_Getting_Stronger_Hopes_Kupchak_Keeps_Team_Intact

HE IS STILL THAT GUY.

Awesome find. You gotta love Kobe's mentality.

[Kobay]

Drew should get touches if he isn't bricking 5 footers like he did in game 4.

On a serious side, they need to run the offense through kobe, its an absolute waste of clock and possessions when they aren't going to him. Get the defense to focus on kobe early, pray that he doesn't get tunnel vision and go 1 on 5 for stretches.

Gasol's strengths are not 1-on-1 but being the center of hockey assist, taking shots off of kobe pick and roll/pop, and cleaning up kobe's missed shots. For gasol to do well he needs kobe to attack as much as possible.

Obviously, one of the huge problems for this season was fisher. You can't have your guy who receives the least amount of attention of the defense go 1 for 8+ every damn game, drive recklessly to the basket, or play 30+ minutes.

[Jajwanda]

You need a PG so you don't have to have your beat up 33 year old SG doing everything. Even a Jarret Jack would be enough to change the issue from what we've had in recent years. Jordan was the team's scorer and that was that. Everyone knew that. Kobe is this team's do every **** thing there is guy.

[Jay24]

Statistically, Kobe was the BEST isolation scorer in the league in 2011. He's certainly still capable of being that guy. Please stop with the knee-jerk reactions.