“I’m 200th best player in the league right now. I freaking suck.”
“I’m just playing like s***.”
“Well, if I’d make a damn shot, that would help.”
Kobe Bryant’s frustration at his inability to knock down shots or lift up his young Lakers team was stated in no uncertain terms after the Dallas Mavericks jumped out to a 15-0 lead and led wire-to-wire Sunday night on the Lakers’ home court. He wasn’t in a better mood on Monday, so the Lakers told him to take a day off, reports Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
Kobe was given the day off because he was "really angry" with himself, Byron said. Byron told him to return to Laker facility Tues morning.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) November 2, 2015
Kobe has gotten a lot of practices off in the last five years, that’s not out of the ordinary. It’s Byron Scott’s phrasing that raises an eyebrow.
Kobe has always been able to overcome adversity through a combination of talent, hard work, and sheer force of will. That didn’t happen on his 3-of-15 shooting night Sunday against Dallas, nor has it happened all season as Kobe tries to bounce back from multiple injuries. Kobe said he was getting the shots he wanted, but he’s averaging 9.7 three-point attempts a game (hitting 20.7 percent of then). Also, on average nine of his 17 nightly shots have been contested. He can’t create the same space anymore, and the predictable Laker offense isn’t doing it for him, so shots are contested or look out of rhythm. If those are really the shots he wants, it’s going to be a long season.
But this is the bigger problem, from Serena Winters of Lakers Nation.
Byron Scott said he’s fine with Kobe Bryant’s shot selection right now.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) November 2, 2015
What games is he watching?
Kobe has all the power in the organization and Scott is his No. 1 fan, so how exactly are things going to change? Who is going to call out Kobe on his poor shot selection, who is going to modify the offense to get Bryant the ball in his strong spots and in good matchups?
Sorry Lakers’ fans, it is going to be a long season.
