Kobe Bryant: Laker Problem or Laker Solution?
Kobe Bryant, a name every NBA fan knows. As a matter of fact a name the vast majority of sports fans worldwide are familiar with.
He has reached a level of status in the sports world that most athletes could only hope for. He is one of the most beloved sports figures, and at the same time, one of the most despised.
At 32, he's a five-time NBA champion, a 15-year veteran, and holder of numerous records, awards and honors. His place in NBA history is secured. A future first ballot Basketball Hall of Fame member.
However, Kobe is also past his prime and although he is smart enough to realize it and make modifications to his game in order to keep him competitive with players who are younger, faster, stronger and more athletic; he's losing this out to competitors who are less selfish. Those who realize their limitations.
Most basketball people feel the Lakers bowed out of this years postseason prematurely. Even those who chose the Mavs to advance didn't pick them in a sweep.
The question for Dr. Buss, GM Mitch Kupchak, new coach, the current Lakers, possible future Lakers, former Lakers, and Laker fans is:
Going forth will Kobe be part of the problem or the solution?
The Money Man
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At $24,806,250.00, Kobe Bryant was the highest salaried NBA player this past season.
Kobe has three years guaranteed in the amount of $83,546,000.00 left on his no trade contract. Including $30,453,000 in his last year (2013-2014) at age 35.
Will this be a hindrance to retooling or rebuilding the Lakers?
Dr. Buss obviously loves to gamble, and doesn't mind getting a little advice from his inner circle. The question is, how much is he willing to gamble and how much advice is he willing to accept.
Also he's forgiven (but I'm sure not forgotten) Kobe's immaturity before. It was only a few years ago that Kobe publicly called Dr. Buss an idiot.
The Decision Guy
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General Manager Mitch Kupchak is already on the clock.
The Lakers early exist from postseason play has definitely affected Kupchak's golf dates and cell minutes. It's rare that a team which had such a successful regular season would have so many off season personnel decisions.
The interaction and ineffective communication between Kobe and some of his current teammates (unfortunately nothing new) may have finally reached the point of no return.
In addition, how will it affect possible new teammates?
Mitch also must hire a new coach. Which begs another question: Will Kobe buy into the new coach? Kobe has had problems in the past with coaches and running their offensive schemes.
Let's look into a few people Mitch may consider calling. Do you think Mitch needs to run these names through Kobe?
Possible Coach No. 1
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Brian Shaw, current Laker assistant coach has Kobe's blessing as the new coach...for now.
Shaw was also a teammate of Kobe for the first three of Kobe's five championships and an ass't coach for the last two.
Shaw more than likely would like to continue running the triangle offense, a system Kobe often refused to run, preferring to look for his shot first instead of passing inside to his big men in the low post.
And there is a major difference between being an assistant coach and head coach. Especially a rookie head coach dealing with a headstrong veteran superstar passed his prime.
The big question: Will Kobe buy into Shaw's program, showing & leading his teammates by example?
Possible Coach No. 2
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Rick is a veteran NBA coach of more than 20 years.
Leading Portland to the NBA Finals twice in that time. He just completed his fourth season with the over-achieving Houston Rockets.
He's well-respected throughout the league and even has experience coaching current Laker Ron Artest, both in Sacramento and Houston.
Adelman, an exceptional big man coach runs an offense known as "corners".
It spreads the floor allowing a talented big man (like Yao Ming in Houston and Chris Weber in Sacramento) to avoid double teams.
Question: Will Kobe buy into another system at this point of his career? One that revolves more around the big man than a wing player?
Possible Coach No. 3
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Byron Scott, is an interesting combination of Shaw & Adelman.
Like Shaw, he has a Laker background as a member of three of the Showtime Laker championships. Like Adelman, he's a veteran coach and led the Nets to the NBA Finals twice in his 10-year coaching career.
Byron Scott is also a no nonsense taskmaster, one who is currently under contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Which means if the Lakers wanted to hire Scott, compensation may become an issue.
Another issue could be Kobe. Scott has a big ego. It wouldn't be long before he and Kobe went at it.
Author Phil Jacson
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No, I don't see the Zen Master coming back to coach the Lakers. However I do see him writing another book about coaching Kobe. "Coaching Kobe, the Sequel".
And with the upcoming lockout, the book will probably be out before the 2011-2012 NBA season starts.
And it'll be a must-read by all, including all the current Lakers & any coach or player considering a job in the organization.
How will Phil's new book paint Kobe. Better or worst than the first time?
Current Teammates Pau Gasol & Andrew Bynum
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Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Two talented seven-footers, who along with Kobe Bryant is why so many NBA experts expected the two-time defending champion Lakers to make it a three-peat.
The talent, experience, and coaching was there. Sure, questions existed about the point guard position, Bynum's knee, and assorted Kobe body parts. However you figured they still had enough to get this done.
What hasn't considered was just how sensitive Pau Gasol is. He's a guy that doesn't seem to respond to the standard macho sports challenges and name-calling by team leader, Kobe or Coach Phil.
A guy who's more effected by his off-court romantic life than most guys and and a guy that would rather whine then tell Kobe to give him the damn ball.
Nor does it appear that Kobe was ready to incorporate a healthy Andrew Bynum into more of the offense.
Kobe continued to go away from the triangle offense, jacking up tough shot after tough shot instead of trusting the system and working the ball into his big men—which would eventually get Kobe better looks, thus allowing him to become a more efficient scorer.
Unfortunately, Bynum would take out his frustrations on little JJ instead of Kobe.
Do these guys even want to play with Kobe anymore, who at times truly seemed to be just as interested in climbing up the all-time scoring list as who was in winning.
Future Possible Teammates: Dwight Howard
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Dwight Howard, simply the best center in the league, the best defensive player in the league, and a guy that wants to go to L. A., and to the Lakers.
He's never played with a guy like Kobe and at this stage of his career would welcome it. He knows the Lakers' ability to attract free agents and realizes that the Lakers always bounce back.
Howard's big questions would be: how much does Kobe have left will he, Kobe, be willing to share the ball more than he did this season.
The Lakers will have to figure out just how badly they want Dwight. Orlando doesn't want to move Dwight, but if they must, will attempt to package Gilbert Arenas and his horrible contract ($62 million plus over the next three years).
Another Possible Teammate: Deron Williams
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Everyone knows the Lakers have been very weak at the point guard position.
Yes Chris Paul will also be available soon, yes CP3 is also the better talent (in my humble opinion), but D-Will would be the better fit.
Durability is a major concern, and 6'3", 210-lb D-Will is a safer bet than 6'0", 175-lb CP3. A team featuring Dwight Howard and Deron Williams would look inviting to any veteran free agent still in search of a ring.
And even Kobe would have a hard time not letting these guys play with the ball more.
D-Will has not signed with the Nets yet. If the Lakers offered Pau Gasol and Ron Artest for Deron Williams and Travis Outlaw (a Nets mistake), they could do a lot worse than a front court featuring Brooks Lopez, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest and Kris Humphries.
Vice President Earvin "Magic" Johnson
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We've all heard what Magic said in public. I'd be interested also in what he's saying in private.
Is he telling Kobe he needs to be more of a leader? Is he telling Kobe that if he's interested in claiming another ring in an era which teams like the Miami Heat, NY Knicks and Chicago Bulls are already serious contenders, he's going to have to modify his game and be more respectful and inclusive of his teammates' abilities?
Because if Kobe doesn't buy in, he's won his last title...and the Lakers have another decision to make.
Fans & Former Lakers
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If Kobe wants to join the list of most beloved Lakers of all time, and give his fans what they want more than anything, another title...or two, just follow the program.
Because the next slide shows what's at the end of the rainbow
A 6th Ring
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Here is what Kobe's fourth ring of five looks like. I believe Kobe can win a sixth by:
-embracing his teammates
-trusting the offense
-be a leader by example with the new coach
-allow his body to heal for next season
-restructure his contract, allowing the team to have more flexibility.
If Kobe follows this script, he'll be part of the solution, if not, he'll be part of the problem.
