Kobe Bryant: 7 Moves Los Angeles Lakers Star Must Add to His Arsenal

The first summer of the post-Phil Jackson era is well under way in Los Angeles now that the LA Lakers' series sweep at the hands of the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks is practically a distant memory.

On the bright side, the early exit has given Kobe Bryant and the rest of his teammates plenty of additional time to rest up, take inventory and work on their individual games in preparation for another title run under new head coach Mike Brown.

Kobe, in particular, is likely to spend the summer expanding his already extensive offensive arsenal while angrily gritting his teeth and giving team president Jim Buss the silent treatment.

Supposing the Black Mamba has a suggestion box at his home in Orange County, let's have a look at some "moves" he should work on before the 2011-12 season gets under way.

A Better Three-Point Shot

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DALLAS, TX - MAY 06: Guard Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2011 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. N

Kobe Bryant will be 33 years old by the time the next season begins, putting him at the same age Michael Jordan was when he began his second three-peat with the Chicago Bulls.

That year, an older, wiser MJ shot a career-best 42.7 percent on three-pointers in support of a 30.4 points-per-game scoring average.

After 15 years of wear and tear on his body, Kobe would do well to follow Jordan's example—if he is to match Michael's six championship rings—and refine his three-point shooting stroke, with which Bryant connected on only 32.3 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc last season.

A More Willing Pass

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DALLAS, TX - MAY 08: Guard Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a pass against Jason Kidd #2 and Peja Stojakovic #16 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2011 at Ameri

For those few occasions when he sees a shot that he doesn't like, Kobe should be ready and willing to pass the ball off to his teammates.

Of course, so much of that depends on Kobe's trust in his teammates, which will only be there if they—whoever they may be by the time the new season starts—actually hit the shots that Bryant sets them up for. 

A Sky Hook

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DALLAS, TX - MAY 06: Guard Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball against DeShawn Stevenson #92 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2011 at American Airlines

Not to harp too much on the Michael Jordan comparisons, but MJ also developed a deadly post game in his 30s to prolong his reign as the greatest basketball player who ever lived.

Kobe already has a solid back-to-the-basket arsenal, thanks in large part to a summer spent in a gym with Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon.

All Bryant needs now is a consistent sky hook to go along with his existing abilities on the block to really reduce the amount of strain he'd otherwise have to put on his body driving to the basket.

A Left-Handed Jumper

There was a period of time in Kobe's career when, amidst myriad injuries to his right hand, he actually became quite proficient with his left.

A return to those days of ambidexterity would give Kobe even greater flexibility to seek out shots and force his opponents to account for more possible outcomes without having to scoot by multiple defenders.

The Black Mamba

Frankly, I don't know what "The Black Mamba" would be as a basketball move, but given Kobe Bryant's creativity on the basketball court, I'm sure it'd be devastating nonetheless.

Perhaps it would entail a series of slithering maneuvers around defenders with minimal movement.

Or perhaps it would be little more than an intimidating scowl to distract opposing defenses before leaving them in the dust on the way to the basket.

There are just so many possibilities.

The "I'm Chill With Mike Brown"

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EL SEGUNDO, CA - MAY 31: Mike Brown, the new head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, speaks during his introductory news conference at the team's training facility on May 31, 2011 in El Segundo, California. Brown replaced Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who re

This move also leaves some room for imaginative thinking and execution, particularly on Kobe's part.

All the Lakers need is for the "I'm Chill with Mike Brown" move to actually happen. Whether it's a handshake or a smile of mutual admiration, this move would require nothing more from Kobe than lending some support and approval to his new head coach and encouraging his teammates to follow suit.

Whatever the Opposite of the Silent Treatment Is

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EL SEGUNDO, CA - MAY 31: Jim Buss, executive vice president of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Lakers, listens to Lakers new coach Mike Brown's speach during his introductory news conference at the team's training facility on May 31, 2011 in El

Even more important, the Lakers need Kobe Bryant to come up with some sort of maneuver to make peace between him and team president Jim Buss.

Word around the club is that Kobe hasn't spoken to Jim, the son of owner Jerry Buss, since he went ahead and hired Mike Brown without Bryant's input, creating a new bit of tension that doesn't bode well for the franchise going forward.

Furthermore, Bryant's relationship with the junior Buss was rather frosty to begin with. Hence, it would certainly be best if all parties involved simply got together for a pow-wow and sang Kumbaya around a campfire for a bit to bury the proverbial hatchet.

Or, if that's too much to ask, at least put Kobe and Jim in a room and make sure they engage in a civil conversation.