Lakers Playing Better Team Basketball Without Kobe Bryant?

It looks like not many people want to admit this, but it seems that the Lakers are playing better team basketball without Kobe. 

The last three games, three HUGE wins over potentially-playoff teams, proves a lot of how the Lakers can play without their play maker in the game. If you look at the stat sheet, or watched the games, you might have noticed their balanced scoring attack. Looking at the stats, the shots attempted is balanced among the players, with players shooting no more than 15-16 shots per game. 

Not having Kobe in the game also appears to bring out the best in his teammates, including Lamar Odom. Odom averaged about 17 points per game while grabbing 14 boards. 

If the last few games proved anything, it's that Kobe can actually learn from his teammates. 

Controlling his shot attempts may be too much to ask, but another thing he's been doing seems to affect the game on the offensive side greatly. If you've watched the past three games, you may notice how the ball was fed into Pau Gasol, and that produced the most of their points. Instead of what Kobe does, which is pass it in to please Gasol and Andrew Bynum, that should be the center of their scoring.

This will not only the balance their offensive attack, but, as the previous games have shown, it will win them basketball games. 

Simply put, Kobe needs to spread the ball around. This will not only let the other players get their touches and their points, but will also keep Kobe out of the training room. 

No, I'm not saying that these games have shown that the Lakers are better without Kobe. But maybe they can show him what he can improve on, so the team can improve after the All-Star Break. 

If Kobe wants his fifth ring, there's one thing left for him to do: Fit in with the team, other than demanding the team fit in with him.