Entering Wednesday's local rivalry game against the Los Angeles Clippers, the older Kobe Bryant looks like a new player. Since returning to the Los Angeles Lakers from his three-game rest due to fatigue, an evolved Bryant is averaging 17.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.75 steals per game. That's right, the new-old Bryant averages more rebounds than Blake Griffin. Granted, it is a small sample size, but Bryant's elevation in efficiency and decease in shot attempts is impossible to ignore.
Bryant is averaging only 12.3 shots per game since returning, but he's shooting 46.9 percent from the field. With his minutes trimmed, Bryant's legs appear to have enough pop to drain three-pointers again. He's shooting 53.3 percent from beyond the arc.
His turnovers over the four-game stretch seem high at 4.5 per game, but that number is skewed by a nine-turnover game Bryant threw out. Along with his nine turnovers, though, he also notched a triple-double, and the Lakers won that game against the Denver. So, his turnovers have not been the issue of late.
In his last two outings, the 36-year-old combo guard has only received four total demerits for coughing up the ball. Bryant resembles the player some thought he would be before the season: creating for teammates and shooting fadeaways. However, that description sells him short. As Bryant's numbers correctly suggest, he's doing a little bit of everything.
Like never before, Bryant is relying on teammates, and his teammates have responded positively. Even late in games, Bryant has given up the ball and trusted his teammates to make shots, make free throws and more importantly, miss shots and miss free throws.
Notes: Ronnie Price, who broke his nose and received 11 stitches on Monday, also came down with the flu on Wednesday. Price's status for Wednesday's game against the Clippers is in doubt, and Jeremy Lin would move into the starting lineup. Lin's offense would be welcome, but Price’s defense on Chris Paul would be sorely missed if the 31-year-old is unable to go for the Lakers. Price missed the entire fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers, and Blazers point guard Damian Lillard scored 16 points in the final six minutes of that game. Wesley Johnson also remains sidelined with a strained right hip flexor.
