I'm Convinced

[40InchVert]

After watching Kobe D up LeBron for a few possessions, I'm convinced that Kobe could still be a good defender. I know it was only a few plays, but it showed me that Kobe is still capable of playing defense. I just don't understand why Kobe doesn't try during Lakers games.

[ROballer]

After watching Kobe D up LeBron for a few possessions, I'm convinced that Kobe could still be a good defender. I know it was only a few plays, but it showed me that Kobe is still capable of playing defense. I just don't understand why Kobe doesn't try during Lakers games.

Because he has 50 k + minutes on his legs?


You can't play lockdown D and be the main guy offensively while playing 38 mins a night(and not resting in the second half sometimes) considering his age and mileage

He'll turn it on sometimes(especially when matched up with a great player ex: Irving,Paul,Lebron) but he can't do it all game long at this stage....and it's understandable

[40InchVert]

I'm not even asking for lock down D. All I'm asking is for him to at the very least try. So often you see him just stare.

[Minge]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFzAYWbEVi4[/youtube]

[Asianiac_24]

Kobe has done pretty well when he is asked to play D on-ball. It's his off ball defense, chasing shooters, etc, that is killing us right now.

[MaxwellSmart]

I'm convinced that Howard is Tanking on you guys...after seeing him throw in that half court hook shot tonight-!

[TimmerFredette]

He's saving the lockdown D for the playoffs

[Kobe System]

It's hard for a 34 year old dude to be your primary perimeter defender AND focal point of your offense.

[JustAwesome]

You shouldn't base too much off of a few players during a game, especially if it's an exhibition where the players are trying to give the fans a show.

[Doormatt]

the problem has nothing with kobe's ability to play defense (granted its not as good as people are making out based on 2 plays in an all star game), the problem is kobe, for whatever reason, gets lost in team defensive schemes. also hes a bit lazy closing out on shooters but i would honestly attribute that more to age/conserving energy. still i think

anyways kobe's perimeter defense (or anything to do with kobe really) is like, far down the list of problems that the lakers have. like really far.

[Doormatt]

the problem has nothing with kobe's ability to play defense (granted its not as good as people are making out based on 2 plays in an all star game), the problem is kobe, for whatever reason, gets lost in team defensive schemes. also hes a bit lazy closing out on shooters but i would honestly attribute that more to age/conserving energy. still i think

anyways kobe's perimeter defense (or anything to do with kobe really) is like, far down the list of problems that the lakers have. like really far.

[The Boot Room]

the problem is, you can't use him as the defender of the other team best pg-sg-sf for the whole game and then still ask him to score about 25 points every night. but when he has to defend off the ball, he just doesn't pay any attention.

[Doormatt]

**** who responds to something at 330 in the morning. cant even delete **** realgm

anyways my second point was going to be that kobe being lazy is bad but somewhat understandable.

[Kilroy]

When the rest of his team can play Defense and Kobe doesn't have to worry about the rest of the team, or carrying the scoring load, he can still D-up the best from time to time. I don't think we have that team...
Kobe has to try to guard multiple positions and score. It just doesn't work like an Olympic team or all-star team.

Plus, he'd likely foul out in the first half against KD or LeBron in a real game.

[40InchVert]

I understand that we can't ask him to D up the best perimeter guy and ask him to score 25 a game, but his laziness off the ball and against guys he doesn't respect is killing us. He's a competitor and winner but I just don't grasp what goes on in his mind after watching tapes of himself give up basket after basket due to him getting lost in team defensive schemes. It's not the lakers biggest problem but we could use help anywhere we could get.

[ballaholick]

After watching Kobe D up LeBron for a few possessions, I'm convinced that Kobe could still be a good defender. I know it was only a few plays, but it showed me that Kobe is still capable of playing defense. I just don't understand why Kobe doesn't try during Lakers games.

To me he is the best defender in NBA in terms of defending Lebron, he does an excellent job of staying attached to his body by not letting him create space for take off, and doesnt go for stupid steals like MVP

[theFRANCHISE]

I'm convinced it was an exhibition game.

[JustAwesome]

the problem is, you can't use him as the defender of the other team best pg-sg-sf for the whole game and then still ask him to score about 25 points every night. but when he has to defend off the ball, he just doesn't pay any attention.

If he can lock down an opponent for an entire game, I'd settle for 15 points from Bryant. Nash and Howard can help with the scoring.

[PandGneverfold]

I'm convinced it was an exhibition game.

I'm convinced that's insecure lebron fans only rebuttal.

[KB24TBOTB]

the problem is, you can't use him as the defender of the other team best pg-sg-sf for the whole game and then still ask him to score about 25 points every night. but when he has to defend off the ball, he just doesn't pay any attention.

If he can lock down an opponent for an entire game, I'd settle for 15 points from Bryant. Nash and Howard can help with the scoring.

You are kidding right? You won't get very far asking Howard to be a dominant scorer cause he will never be one and Nash can score but he really can't get separation from his defender at his age