Associated Press photo
The Los Angeles Lakers might have to learn that a little less Kobe Bryant may go a long way this season.
On Tuesday, Bryant scored 29 points but it took him 25 shots to get there in a 98-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. During the Lakers current three-game losing streak, Bryant has attempted at least 20 shots in each game and has averaged 26.3 FGA per game.
This season, the Lakers are 2-3 when Bryant attempts at least 25 shots in a game, compared to 11-2 when he attempts fewer than 25 shots.
Look even deeper and you will see that all five of the Lakers losses have come when Bryant has at least 20 shots. When Bryant attempts fewer than 20 shots, the Lakers are 7-0.
Kobe's always going to be a gunner… even though he doesn't need to be anymore. The Lakers are a damn good team without him taking such an overwhelming majority of the shots.
But he is what he is. And he's is what he is…. one year older and coming off a couple of surgeries. The blueprint for beating LA is going to be the same as the one for beating Cleveland with LeBron: Shut everyone else down… let Kobe try to score 35 on 35 shots… and then wait for the rest of the team to fall apart.
At least, that's the blueprint right now… and right now, its working.
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