The Los Angeles Lakers suffered from a horrendous loss at the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. This, coupled with a lost lead and loss at home against the young Minnesota Timberwolves has led to many questions about the state of the team.
Among the biggest of those questions is Kobe Bryant’s role within the team, especially as it pertains to the young core currently being developed. In two games, the Lakers have repeatedly put the ball in Bryant’s hands in isolation situations with little to no success. Not only has that led to a lack of success in terms of the on-court product and the wins and losses, but it has also taken the ball away from second overall pick D’Angelo Russell. Russell has struggled to adjust to the NBA in his short time as a Laker, and Bryant thinks some of that is due to his own role withing the offense:
Kobe (1/3): "I'm really wanting the young guys, especially D'Angelo, let him call the game, let him organize the game, let him read the flow
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 31, 2015
Kobe continuing (2/3): "Let him (D'Angelo) make those decisions which is part of me taking a step back which needs to be done…"
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 31, 2015
Kobe (3/3): "You have to be there to help & support them (young guys). You've got to let them develop. It's difficult but it has to be done"
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 31, 2015
It is interesting to see Kobe attempt to willingly place blame on himself while also suggesting that the creator of the offense should be someone other than him. Bryant has become notorious for being a somewhat selfish player, so these comments are telling of the situation the team has been placed in. Of course, this could be a case of pandering to the media and saying the right things. It could also be a subtle dig at head coach Byron Scott whose offense has been an abomination and who played Russell for only 23 minutes on Friday. If the Lakers are to get over the two year slump they are in and start taking the next step towards contending, they would be wise to listen to Bryant’s comments.
