Kobe Bryant on Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum's Offense: "Got Nothing to Do with Me"

Kobe Bryant said something that caught my attention in his press conference after the LA Lakers lost Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals to the Dallas Mavericks 96-94.

When asked if his 29 shots messed up the balance in the Lakers offense, Kobe said:

"

"It ain't got nothing to do with me... I'ma do what I do. I think the second unit and that crew gotta make a conscious effort to get the ball into Pau and get the ball into Andrew. I've had games where I shot the ball 10 times and Pau and Andrew didn't contribute that much. I've had games where I shot the ball 30 times and they've had big games. It ain't have nothing to do with my shots."

"

Surely "Kobe Doin' Work" decreased the offensive opportunities for Pau and Bynum, right? I went straight to basketball-reference.com to look up every game Kobe took more than 30 shots in since the Lakers traded for Pau Gasol.

The Lakers traded for Pau on February 1, 2008. Kobe has taken 30 shots or more in 24 games since then, but Pau or Bynum only played in 21 of those games. Let's consider a "big game" for Pau or Bynum one where they score 20 or more points.

Let's take a look at how many big games Pau and Bynum had when Kobe took 30 shots or more.

February 2, 2009: Los Angeles Lakers 126, New York Knickerbockers 117

Nick Laham/Getty Images

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 02: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball over Danilo Gallinari #8 of the New York Knicks on February 2, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

Kobe: He took 31 shots on his way to scoring 61 points in Madison Square Garden and laying down his vocals for Spike Lee's documentary.

Pau: He scored 31 points on 17 shots and grabbed 14 rebounds.

Lakers Offensive Rating: 122.9 (season average was 112.8)

February 20, 2009: New Orleans Hornets 111, Los Angeles Lakers 115

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 08: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Devin Brown #23 of the New Orleans Hornets on November 8, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

Kobe: Took 30 shots on his way to scoring 39 points.

Pau: Scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Lakers Offensive Rating: 110.1 (below average)

March 1, 2009: Los Angeles Lakers 111, Phoenix Suns 118

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX - DECEMBER 28: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up a shot against the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 28, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by down

Kobe: Took 38 shots on his way to scoring 49 points

Pau: Scored 30 points and grabbed seven rebounds

Lakers Offensive Rating: 113.3 (above average)

Box Score

December 26, 2009: Los Angeles Lakers 112, Sacramento Kings 103

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 15: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Kevin Martin #23 of the Sacramento Kings during their preseason game at the Thomas & Mack Center October 15, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

Kobe: Took 30 shots on his way to scoring 38 points

Pau: Scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds

Lakers Offensive Rating: 105.1 (season average was 108.8)

Box Score

March 7, 2010: Los Angeles Lakers 94, Orlando Magic 96

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 18: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket against Rashard Lewis #9 and Matt Barnes #22 of the Orlando Magic in the second quarter during the game on January 18, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif

Kobe: Took 30 shots on his way to scoring 34 points

Pau: Scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds

Lakers Offensive Rating: 105.1 (below average)

Box Score

March 22, 2011: Phoenix Suns 137, Los Angeles Lakers 139

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 05: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 23, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 99-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack

Kobe: Took 31 shots to score 42 points

Pau: Scored 24 points on 25 shots and grabbed 13 rebounds

Lakers Offensive Rating: 120.9 (above average)

Box Score

Conclusion

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 12: Kobe Bryant #24 and Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers react after a 96-91 win against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 12, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Kobe: Took 30 shots or more in 21 games with Bynum or Pau or on the floor.

Pau: Scored 20 points or more in six of those games.

Bynum: Has not scored 20 points or more when Kobe took 30 shots or more since Pau joined the Lakers.

Lakers Offensive Rating: Above average in four of the six games that Kobe took 30-plus shots and Pau scored 20-plus points.

So does the number of shots Kobe takes have an impact on Pau and Bynum? If they're expected to score 20-plus points, then "yes." The Lakers are 10-16 in the last four regular seasons when Kobe takes 30-plus shots. 

See http://bkref.com/tiny/TNdEP for more info.