Kobe Bryant Fading Away With the Fadeaway

Due to injuries and age, Kobe Bryant is relying on fadeaway jump shot now more than ever

"It's the start of the journey, the official start of the journey," Kobe Bryant, who spoke to reporters on Friday in Las Vegas, said about Tuesday's regular season opener.

One day away from the start of the 2014/15 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers offer a new hope built on an old foundation. For the upcoming season, Bryant will be the face of the Lakers off the court and the leader of the Lakers on it. Bryant, who missed all but six games in the previous season, performed at a high level in the preseason and offered a glimpse into what to expect for the 2014/15 campaign.

In the NBA, the drop in athleticism from a 34-year-old to a 36-year-old is dramatic, and even Bryant's stubbornness appears to have accepted the natural and injury-induced physical decline.

More than ever before, Bryant was boosting his teammates with guidance and relying on all the clubs in his golf bag. When he needed a bucket, however, Bryant consistently went to the one shot he knows he can get and make: the fadeaway jump shot.

In the preseason, Bryant hoisted fall-away jump shots from all over the court. Most often, he attempted the shot from the baseline. Since speed is no longer his strongest asset, the Lakers' shooting guard appears to have embraced the fadeaway jump shot as the shot that will carry him until the end of his career.

Along with the fadeaway, Bryant regularly posted up his opponents in preseason, rather than face them head on. The veteran has been one of the best post-up guards during his legendary career. When he did lower his shoulder and attack the rim, Bryant was more aggressive in creating the pass for his big men than going hard to the basket.

Based on the preseason, however, the Lakers' shooting guard will shoot more fadeaway jump shots than anyone else ever has. To his credit, Bryant usually hit the shot, regardless of where he was standing on the court.

The three-point field goal is not the point of focus for Byron Scott's offense, but Bryant is one player that expects to use that shot regularly, too. Whereas the fadeaway and his post work require a great deal of energy, the three-point field goal is a shot that Bryant should be able to launch uncontested a few times per game. With Steve Nash no longer available to play, Bryant is one of the Lakers' best options from long distance.

As much as Bryant fought the notion that he had to adjust his game due to his injuries, the preseason offered evidence that Bryant had, in fact, adapted his game.

After 19 years in the NBA, Bryant may no longer be the rim rocking kid who won the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest, but his competitive streak, ability to get to the foul line and that deadly fadeaway jump shot promise to keep Bryant relevant.

For the next two seasons, Bryant will slowly fade away with the fadeaway jump shot.

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