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THE LA LAKERS are in trouble this year.
One big concern is that the Lakers are not very good defensively and are going to have trouble stopping opponents from scoring. That’s no secret.
But maybe the bigger concern is that Kobe Bryant knows this team is not very good and he is going to try and win games all by himself.
The problem with this strategy is other teams know this.
During Wednesday night’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, we saw a perfect example of the Lakers’ 1-on-5 offense and why it is going to mean a lot of losses in Kobeville.
The play starts with Kobe setting a half-hearted pick for Jeremy Lin.
Kobe now wants the ball. He doesn’t get the ball.
Kobe still wants the ball. He still doesn’t get the ball.
Kobe still wants the ball. This time he finally gets the ball.
But here is where things really go south. Kobe is now 1-on-1 with the defender at the top of the key. 2012-13 Kobe would already been two steps past the defender on the way to the basket.
Instead, Kobe dances around around and when he does start to make a move we get to see how teams will probably defend the Lakers this season. That is, just throw three defenders at him knowing he probably won’t pass the ball.
Both Wesley Johnson and Jeremy Lin, two players who can hit a long shot, are wide open on the wings to take a three-point shot. But Kobe isn’t even thinking about passing the ball.
Instead, the shot clock winds down and Kobe is forced to take a long three-pointer. Bryant’s shot doesn’t even hit the rim and the Lakers went on to lose by 20.
