3 Ways Kobe Bryant Can Help the Los Angeles Lakers Without Shooting

The 2011-12 season is only 10 games old, and fans of the Los Angeles Lakers know two things for sure: Kobe Bryant has a torn ligament in his shooting wrist and the team is struggling to get into a rhythm running Mike Brown’s new offense.

Add in the fact the Lakers are largely playing average basketball to start the season, and these issues could possibly loom larger than they would have in previous seasons.

Keeping Kobe’s injured wrist, and the team working out their kinks on offense in mind, I have proposed three ways Kobe can help the team without shooting the basketball.

Talk Mike Brown into Running the Triangle Offense from Time to Time

I am all for Mike Brown bringing a new offense to town to replace the triangle offense. 

But given the team’s early offensive struggles (the Lakers are currently ranked 15th and 16th in offensive rating and points per game, respectively), it may not hurt for Kobe to try and persuade Brown into running the triangle offense, or something resembling the triangle, from time to time, especially with lineups featuring a combination of Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Derek Fisher, four triangle stalwarts.

It could potentially give the other Lakers easier, more familiar looks at the hoop, meaning Kobe would likely have to shoot less.

Keep His Teammates Involved as Much as Possible

There have been as many articles written on Kobe Bryant’s shot selection and “getting his teammates involved” throughout his career as the 28,144 points he has scored wearing purple and gold (this season included).  

But it’s more important now than ever that he looks to get his teammates the ball as much as possible. If for nothing else to rest his wrist and bolster his teammates’ confidence running the new offense.

And I am not saying Kobe hasn’t been doing this. Through 10 games, Kobe is averaging 6.1 assists per game, which matches his career high.

Make Sure the Team Keeps Up Their Stellar Defense

Right now Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are hoping the good defense they have been playing lately, which is ranked in the Top 10 in both overall defensive rating and opponents’ points per game, will eventually lead to an improvement in the team’s aforementioned offensive struggles.

The combination of the team learning a new offensive system under Mike Brown, and Kobe Bryant simultaneously testing the durability of his injured wrist every game, is potentially a dangerous one.

Thankfully, playing defense requires less effort from Kobe’s ailing wrist.

If can Kobe can keep the team focused on defense, when the kinks on offense are (hopefully) worked out, the Lakers could be closer to a deep playoff run than many think.