Going Forward:Kobe's Role

[tugs]

A lot has been said on how Kobe is as a teammate, as a leader, a future HOFer, etc. With the rise of the likes of Clarkson, the potential in Randle, and a possible game changer in the upcoming draft, how should Kobe, as well as management, approach the game?

Players from Kobe's generation like Pierce, Carter (to an extent), Duncan and Nowitzki are still producing at a respectable rate, and contributing to their respective teams, without hindrance to the growth of the team's new faces.

From previous years he had to make plays for others and for himself but he does have those others now to do it for him. Should he operate more on the post? Play off screens for jumpers? Playmaker?

What should be Kobe's role going forward for this team to get back on the championship hunt?

[ALL HAIL]

To me, in addition to drafting well and nurturing talent, the most important factor in the formula for a successful rebuild is acquiring a guy who can efficiently score twenty points a game, a guy who scores almost effortlessly. Think Cedric Ceballos in the nineties rebuild and Al Jefferson in the Hornet's retooling.

That said, although Kobe will almost always be the guy taking the shot at the end of a ballgame, I look at Kobe as a second option to an acquired guy who is a stone scorer.

The problem is that Kobe won't transition well to someone else as the first option. The only way he's ever been engaged in games post-Shaq is as a first option. He's always needed the ball in his hands. That's the only way he's ever really played in his career.

To me, the happy medium is to make Kobe a 28 minute per game PG.

Give him the ball for every possession, but make him a distributor until crunch time.

In spite of Kobe's boneheadedness throughout his career, he remains one of the smartest and cerebral players in the league. When dialed in to assisting others, he shows remarkable passing instincts, enlivening and empowering his teammates in the process.

The best role for Kobe next year is as a minute-monitored, passing and scoring PG.

[kblo247]

You don't recruit melo if you are afraid to share the scoring responsibility. He's maintained melo is the best scorer in the game the past couple years so logic says he was willing to be the second scorer to someone he respects like Russ or Melo, not to a guy like Love I admit

I think Kobe's best role is his 99-00 jack of all trades role tbh. We need two guys from free agency that are real players and starters unlike Wes and Lin as well as two guys who are young and can develop unlike Sacre, Kelly. They also need a another big.

I think Kobe can do what he did in 99-00 which is an upgraded Portland pippen role ... Scotts dumbass need not overplay him either from the start

[Jakay]

Kobe needs to be seen as a piece now, but not a center piece. He's still good enough to make an impact, but if he's going to play important minutes on the floor, their needs to be some kind of Magic type player there as well... someone he can knowingly and properly defer to, for any kind of success with him on the floor.

He can be the best player on the floor still, it's just not going to go anywhere like that, well, not based on the last few seasons at least. Who knows, he has always been able to recover well, and honestly I think he was mostly held out this year.

[kblo247]

Kobe needs to be seen as a piece now, but not a center piece. He's still good enough to make an impact, but if he's going to play important minutes on the floor, their needs to be some kind of Magic type player there as well... someone he can knowingly and properly defer to, for any kind of success with him on the floor.

He can be the best player on the floor still, it's just not going to go anywhere like that, well, not based on the last few seasons at least. Who knows, he has always been able to recover well, and honestly I think he was mostly held out this year.

He was held out. That part was alluded to when Randle said he played 21 against him this past month ago sports nation and lost. I think the shoulder thing was nagging and you could see it of you watched the games as he was missing not because he lacked lift or couldn't change gears, he was doing that better and better, he couldn't get his touch right off his hand even with his free throws. I'm not saying he will be 27/6/6 but I do think 21/7/5 is doable for 30 mpg especially if Scott learns to be smart like Phil and sits him in conjunction with TV timeouts which means more real time rest

[Jakay]

Yeah, it makes sense. There's no reason to play him at all this year (counter productive too), and hopefully the time off will let him juke father time a bit.

[aaron_gray]

To me, in addition to drafting well and nurturing talent, the most important factor in the formula for a successful rebuild is acquiring a guy who can efficiently score twenty points a game, a guy who scores almost effortlessly. Think Cedric Ceballos in the nineties rebuild and Al Jefferson in the Hornet's retooling.

That said, although Kobe will almost always be the guy taking the shot at the end of a ballgame, I look at Kobe as a second option to an acquired guy who is a stone scorer.

The problem is that Kobe won't transition well to someone else as the first option. The only way he's ever been engaged in games post-Shaq is as a first option. He's always needed the ball in his hands. That's the only way he's ever really played in his career.

To me, the happy medium is to make Kobe a 28 minute per game PG.

Give him the ball for every possession, but make him a distributor until crunch time.

In spite of Kobe's boneheadedness throughout his career, he remains one of the smartest and cerebral players in the league. When dialed in to assisting others, he shows remarkable passing instincts, enlivening and empowering his teammates in the process.

The best role for Kobe next year is as a minute-monitored, passing and scoring PG.

Actually building a top 10 defense is immensely more important then finding a generational scorer. Not saying that having a generational scorer is bad or anything, but there have been numerous examples of effortless scorers missing the playoffs. Examples of top 10 defenses out of the playoffs are far and few.

[Tee212]

crazy to think this will be his last year

[tugs]

It would be interesting if Kobe will defer to anyone, much more if it's some up and comer.

He has played with outstanding big men during his championship years (Shaq, Gasol, Bynum) and I think he'll need someone like that for his final push.

The common thing most have mentioned is not being the main option and serve as support (Pippen, PG role) which I also think is the best for him to preserve his legs. He has enough support offensively in the perimeter right now in Clarkson, Brown, and Randle and they just need that stabilizing force inside.

Actually impressed with how Pierce has been utilized. I think something similar should be done with Kobe.

[cashflo]

I do hope Kobe can transition to a Manu/Duncan type of player ..he has mentioned in the past how he looks at San Antonio and admires the way they keep going... The Lakers are in really good place as they can sign one really good FA and get some good pieces through the draft. I still believe that will trade those prices for Boogie but that's just me.

[crazyeights]

He was held out. That part was alluded to when Randle said he played 21 against him this past month ago sports nation and lost.

Are you saying he didn't have shoulder surgery? And doesn't have a 9 month rehab?

If so, didn't you see Muse? They show Kobe being told he's gotta have surgery. He wasn't "held out" by any means, the dude tore his shoulder and was told if he didn't fix it, it'd get worse even doing simple household tasks. Of course it helped that we didn't need him this year since tanking was beneficial, but to say it was simply a choice to not play is a huge mischaracterization.

Also, pretty sure the 1-on-1 in Randle's story took place earlier in the year when they were both healthy.

[ALL HAIL]

To me, in addition to drafting well and nurturing talent, the most important factor in the formula for a successful rebuild is acquiring a guy who can efficiently score twenty points a game, a guy who scores almost effortlessly. Think Cedric Ceballos in the nineties rebuild and Al Jefferson in the Hornet's retooling.

That said, although Kobe will almost always be the guy taking the shot at the end of a ballgame, I look at Kobe as a second option to an acquired guy who is a stone scorer.

The problem is that Kobe won't transition well to someone else as the first option. The only way he's ever been engaged in games post-Shaq is as a first option. He's always needed the ball in his hands. That's the only way he's ever really played in his career.

To me, the happy medium is to make Kobe a 28 minute per game PG.

Give him the ball for every possession, but make him a distributor until crunch time.

In spite of Kobe's boneheadedness throughout his career, he remains one of the smartest and cerebral players in the league. When dialed in to assisting others, he shows remarkable passing instincts, enlivening and empowering his teammates in the process.

The best role for Kobe next year is as a minute-monitored, passing and scoring PG.

Actually building a top 10 defense is immensely more important then finding a generational scorer. Not saying that having a generational scorer is bad or anything, but there have been numerous examples of effortless scorers missing the playoffs. Examples of top 10 defenses out of the playoffs are far and few.

I'm hardly talking about a generational scorer, unless you consider Cedric Ceballos, Al Jefferson, and Brook Lopez as such.

And your preaching to the choir about defense. I understand that more than anyone on this board. It's the primary reason I'm not love struck by Clarkson.

There is absolutely no reason you can't have both -- a twenty point scorer and defensive role players who improve overall team defense.

You could sign a scorer like Lopez (who would also improve the defense), but, especially with presence of a negative defender like Kobe on the floor, you also need defenders and shooters at literally every other wing position. You also need a designated veteran PF defender who can be counted on to not only defend on an elite level, but also to teach Randle the tricks of the trade. At center, they need a shotblocker. That's why I've ben beating the drum on Lopez and either Towns or Myles Turner over A negative defender in DeAngelo Russell and a dime a dozen SF in Winslow.

The guys I want: Lopez at center, Dudley, Carroll, Dorrell Wright, PJ Tucker (1st choice), or Danny Green at SF, OJ Mayo as the combo guard next to Kobe in the starting lineup, Chuck Hayes or Garnett at PF, and drafting guys like Towns/Turner, Delon Wright (now that Dunn is off the table), Micheal Frazier, and Tauren Prince or Justin Anderson ALL have a defensive edge while maintaining respectable shooting numbers as well (except Hayes).

I understand the importance of defense. If Kobe is used as a PG, the starting SG and SF must be able to guard multiple positions to hide Kobe, similar to what Atlanta does with Korver, hiding him with Carroll, Sefolosha, and Bazemore.

You can have it both ways dude. When I mention Kobe's role changing to allowing another scorer to become the first option in the half court, I am in no way suggesting an all or nothing situation.

If you're smart, you can do it all. A good place to start is to examine Jordan Clarkson. Could him and Kobe exist together on the floor as a positive defensive unit? Is he good fit, defensively, with Kobe?

[kblo247]

He was held out. That part was alluded to when Randle said he played 21 against him this past month ago sports nation and lost.

Are you saying he didn't have shoulder surgery? And doesn't have a 9 month rehab?

If so, didn't you see Muse? They show Kobe being told he's gotta have surgery. He wasn't "held out" by any means, the dude tore his shoulder and was told if he didn't fix it, it'd get worse even doing simple household tasks. Of course it helped that we didn't need him this year since tanking was beneficial, but to say it was simply a choice to not play is a huge mischaracterization.

Also, pretty sure the 1-on-1 in Randle's story took place earlier in the year when they were both healthy.

I know the surgery was legit and issue lingering but it we were relevant he puts it off

[TylersLakers]

I think he talked about this mid-season when he started averaging almost triple double numbers. I believe he even said something about how potential free agents need to see him in this type of role.

[PKABOOICU]

unfortunately i hope he retires at the end of next season so this type of topic doesn't come up anymore.

[crazyeights]

Kobe's role should be developing these young players and helping build a winning team culture. Whatever that is. At $30M a lot should be asked of him in terms of sacrificing for the team.

[ALL HAIL]

Kobe's role should be developing these young players and helping build a winning team culture. Whatever that is. At $30M a lot should be asked of him in terms of sacrificing for the team.

I'm pretty sure he's asking in what capacity should Kobe be used on offense.

[crazyeights]

Kobe's role should be developing these young players and helping build a winning team culture. Whatever that is. At $30M a lot should be asked of him in terms of sacrificing for the team.

I'm pretty sure he's asking in what capacity should Kobe be used on offense.

Right. And considering we don't have a team yet my answer is: whatever it takes to develop our young players. He's gotta have many roles to make such an inexperienced team work.

[ALL HAIL]

Kobe's role should be developing these young players and helping build a winning team culture. Whatever that is. At $30M a lot should be asked of him in terms of sacrificing for the team.

I'm pretty sure he's asking in what capacity should Kobe be used on offense.

Right. And considering we don't have a team yet my answer is: whatever it takes to develop our young players. He's gotta have many roles to make such an inexperienced team work.

I agree. It's just not really answering the question. Even if he has many roles, he'll still have to do somethings a little more than others. You dig?

[DEEP3CL]

I'm going to give mine bullet point style...

He needs to be moved to the 3, no if's and's or but's about it...this will reduce the wear and tear

Team needs to acquire a 20 point scorer as ALL HAIL alluded to...again reduces wear and tear of carrying a team

Needs to realize he has to let this talent develop, he can't interrupt that process

Would rather see him facilitate more next season, scoring won't be the problem...defense will be our main concern

In the end Kobe's role will revolve around a lot of scenarios, because if he plays well and we improve somewhat he may want another year. And that's a whole other story...