The Kobe Show Keeps Lakers Winning
The Lakers are winning with the Kobe Show, but for another title run they need balance.
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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers argues a call against the Detroit Pistons in the first half at Staples Center on November 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
This season has been the Kobe Bryant show.
When the Lakers win this young season, like they did Tuesday night against Detroit, it is because Kobe is in the unstoppable Mamba Mode — after a slow start he finished shooting 59% and dropped in 40 points. That is the 100th time in his career he dropped 40, and high-scoring games from Kobe has been the trend this year. He doesn’t look like a guy playing through a groin injury.
When Kobe is scoring it is exciting. It’s what the fans pay to see, it is the Big Show. He worked in the offseason to develop a post game and the Lakers have leaned heavily on that this season and to great success (they are 8-3 and Kobe’s shooting percentage is higher than ever).
But that is not how the Lakers will win when it matters. They need balance.
Come the good teams — Boston or Cleveland or San Antonio — they can slow Kobe down, make him less efficient. The Rockets did that the other night when Kobe was 5 of 20 shooting, and the Rockets won. When the Lakers have won this year it has been on Kobe’s strong back, but that is not the recipe for a repeat title.
The return of Pau Gasol, likely on Thursday night, will be a big help with bringing back a flow to the Lakers offense.
First, he is the best passer on the Lakers, and when he gets the ball in the post guys off the ball start moving and making cuts because they know if they get open they will get rewarded with the ball and a shot. When Kobe and Andrew Bynum get the ball on the block, they are a black hole. The ball rarely comes back out.
Second, more Gasol on the post pushes Kobe back out on the perimeter — and some of that is a good thing. Right now the Lakers have struggled some because with Kobe in close to the basket they guys out on the wings aren’t getting it done. Kobe out there changes that.
Last season on the way to a championship, there were moments the Lakers played aesthetically beautiful basketball, with great ball and player movement. The kind of thing that would make John Wooden smile. This year’s Lakers have looked stagnant, like a team standing around watching Kobe and Bynum. The Lakers need to get back to what they did last year if they want another title. Just a little less Kobe would be a start.
Kurt Helin lives in Los Angeles where he is runs the NBA/Lakers blog Forum Blue & Gold (which you can also follow in twitter)
