Byron Scott wants Kobe Bryant to shoot more
Right along with the recurring story line of this being the worst season in Los Angeles Lakers franchise history is the over-usage rate of aging Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. Head coach Byron Scott recently shut Bryant down for three games after reports of “general soreness” and fatigue.
At 36 years old, Kobe’s usage rate has been insane:
Oh. My. God. RT @TJFsports: For perspective, here are the top 10 highest usage rates, in a 19th season or later. pic.twitter.com/GQZEXcqO02
— Gary Kester (@garykester) December 20, 2014
Since being back from the three-game rest, Kobe has taken his fewest shot attempts of the season – 10 in a loss against Phoenix and 11 in a win against Denver. Despite the Lakers having their highest effective field goal percentages in those games, Byron Scott doesn’t want Bryant to lose his aggressiveness.
From Eric Pincus of the LA Times:
“I’d like him to be a little bit more aggressive, and take a little bit more shots,” said Scott.
“He’s just taking what the defenses are giving him. That’s what great players do,” said Scott. “The last two games, his shot selection has been great, but he hasn’t gotten the number of shots we’d like him to get on normal basis — but everything else has been up so you can’t argue with that.”
There isn’t a formula short of divine process possible of willing this Laker team to success this season. The Lakers have looked their best when Kobe takes less shots, makes quicker decisions, and allows the ball to circulate into multiple hands. When that happens, they at least look competitive offensively.
Kobe Bryant is at the same stage of his career as Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan, where ideally you’re able to lean on other talented players to help carry the load. The Lakers are void of the talent granted to Dallas and San Antonio, which is quickly blamed on Kobe’s massive contract extension, but in that reality it is still important that Kobe is aggressive enough to keep defenses nervous.
But again, regardless of the strategy, this current team won’t be competing when it matters.
