Kobe Bryant almost seems
like a legend, doesn't he? The sheer amount of time played for Bryant is
ridiculous. At age 34, he has 42,377 minutes played, not counting playoffs or
international play. Including playoffs, Bryant’s minutes increase to 51,018
minutes of total NBA playing time. Compare that to Michael Jordan, who, at 39
years old, retired with 48,485 minutes of total NBA playing time under his
belt.
Such wear and tear requires
players switching up their playing styles and adapting to the way the NBA is
evolving. One of the reasons Bryant has had longevity in this league is
evolving his offensive game to the point of no longer needing elite athleticism
to beat defenders. Bryant has evolved from the 1-on-1 type player from the
early 2000’s to a player that has learned how to play within his coach’s
offensive system, learned how to take advantage of off ball situations and has
let his team help him out; the difference in percentage of Bryant’s baskets
that were assisted on is enormous from 2001-2002 to 2011-2012 campaign. 37.2%
of Bryant’s baskets were assisted in 2002; 44.4% in 2012. Comparing Bryant from
2001-2002 to last season’s version, the numbers tell the tale.
Stats
|
2001-2002
Bryant
|
2011-2012
Bryant
|
Points
Per Game
|
28.5
|
27.9
|
Field
Goal %
|
46.4%
|
43.0%
|
Win
Shares per 48
|
.196
|
.132
|
Offensive
Win Shares
|
9.2
|
4.2
|
The biggest difference between Old Kobe and Kobe of Old is offensive efficiency. In 2000, Bryant was elite in this aspect, recording a superb .196 WS/48 and having an elite 9.2 OWS in 68 out of 82 games played. Kobe last season had a good but not great .132 WS/48 and 4.2 OWS in 58 out of 66 games played. Bryant has lost athleticism and can no longer rely simply on driving past opponents. This information gives us the obvious: Kobe Bryant is no longer the dynamic and athletic ‘Fro Kobe (or Frobe) from the early 2000’s.
Bryant has evolved and is no
longer a one trick pony. 10 years ago, Bryant was primarily a slasher style
shooting guard, meaning he would try to drive on opponents to create offensive
opportunities for himself and his teammates. Kobe from 2011-2012 has become one
of the most creative offensive players in NBA history. Comparing Kobe’s
season’s again show us how exactly he’s evolved:
Shot
distance
|
2001-2002
Bryant
|
2011-2012
Bryant
|
At
Rim
|
63.4%
(325-513)
|
67.8%
(162-239)
|
3-9
Feet
|
45.4%
(137-302)
|
41.8%
(112-268)
|
10-15
Feet
|
44.3%
(185-418)
|
42.4%
(113-314)
|
16-
3 point line
|
38.7%
(234-605)
|
41.6%
(195-469)
|
3
pointers
|
28.9%
(55-190)
|
30.0%
(104-347)
|
Young Kobe’s willingness to constantly drive in brought us efficiency from the floor (and some very exciting moments like this, this and this) but it also brought us a more one dimensional player, not to mention injury. Bryant, last season, experienced his worst shooting performance since being a starter. Part of this has to do with age, part of it injury; Bryant had just returned from Germany and had just done a platelet-rich plasma therapy called Orthokine and on top of that, tore wrist ligaments to begin the season and played through the season with that, as well as an assortment of other injures such as a broken nose and concussion suffered during the All Star game at the hands of Eastern Conference All Star Dwyane Wade, and most importantly, shot selection for Bryant has been poor. While Bryant has expanded his game to the point of still being able to shoot a high percentage from nearly anywhere on the court, he has also developed the bad habit of shooting from farther than necessary.
Bryant’s shooting range 10 seasons
ago was limited to 15 feet and in to be efficient, anything outside of that
range was a struggle for young Kobe as he would shoot a very low 36.3% from 16
feet and out. Current Kobe has expanded his game to include: an effective post
game, magnificent mid-range game in which he opens space for himself using a
wide array of pump fakes and his excellent foot work (his amazing footwork can
create separation often without even dribbling, using an agile pivot and quick
head fakes to throw multiple defenders off-balance) only surpassed by Hakeem Olajuwon,
Kevin McHale and Jordan in NBA history and even though he works a bit
harder to get his shots, a well-rest Bryant is capable of rising above a
defense to close out a game. Even at this stage, Bryant commands a team’s entire
defensive focus and shows an ability reserved for the all-time greats to excel
under those circumstances.
Bryant has good height at
the shooting guard position, excellent strength and court vision. Combine those
with his outstanding post game for a guard, and teams cannot afford to have
point guards, combo guards or guards smaller than 6’4’’ attempt to cover him.
The Lakers offensive system benefits greatly from the fantastic offensive
talents of Bryant, especially because it’s no longer the Triangle Offense. Most
teams have one defensive specialist who will always key on Bryant for the
majority of the game. The problem with doing this is that most defensive
specialists are, as can be expected, one-dimensional. Thus, it allows Bryant –
himself a fearsome defensive force – to roam the paint and help out teammates
as well as play free safety in the passing lanes and since he doesn’t have to
expend much energy guarding the defensive specialist, he can focus his whole
arsenal of moves against said defensive player, and generally be more creative
and less predictable on the offensive end, and make things easier for himself.
Unlike with other 2-guards
in the league, the opposing team simply can’t afford to not put a defender on
Kobe, necessarily sacrificing offense. Furthermore, the age old tactic of letting
a star offensive player score as many points as he wants, while shutting down
the rest of his teammates doesn’t generally work against Los Angeles because
Bryant’s teammates are too good to completely shut down. This defense is
especially ineffective against the Lakers because Steve Nash will create shots
for everyone else. Furthermore, Kobe is the rare offensive superstar that, if
he shoots a high percentage, is quite capable of scoring enough to beat a team
all by himself, as games of 81 points, 62 points in 3 quarters, and other such
offensive outbursts show us.
When going against players
his size and larger, Bryant can penetrate, but not like 2002 Bryant; He has
slowed down enough to no longer be able to turn the corner against defenders;
however he is still explosive. Bryant has the entire repertoire of
ball-handling jukes, absolutely paralyzing hesitation moves and foot-placement,
making him effectively much faster than he probably is at this point in his
career. He has complete mastery of the mid-range game, as well as the footwork
necessary to operate effectively from the pinch post. Bryant is also an
extraordinary facilitator when inclined, or when the situation demands it.
What can we expect from Kobe
Bryant next season? That is a tricky question since Bryant has never played
with an elite point guard in his career, however Bryant has adapted well to his
teammates over the course of his career so there’s no reason not to hope that
Bryant will feed off of Nash, and improve from last season. Nash makes the job
much easier for Bryant and everyone else on the roster; I believe Bryant should
be used more in a Rip Hamilton like way, having off ball screens set for him to
get into a far better position and much closer to the basket than when Bryant tries
to 1-on-1 things. Bryant’s excellent court vision will also help him utilize
the backdoor of the defense with much higher success now that Nash is on the
team. The transition game also opens up for Kobe and the Lakers with Nash on
the roster. It’s not comparable to that of Miami’s dunk fest between Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, nor should we expect it to be, however Los Angeles will
make nearly every steal count, and make every transitional basket look similar
to the 1980’s Showtime Lakers led by Magic Johnson. I fully expect next season
to be Bryant’s most successful season as an individual player. Efficiency
should not be an issue for Kobe playing with Nash.
Expect Kobe to score
anywhere from 25-29 points per game, and be much more efficient from the field,
anything from 47-52% shooting. His OWS should also sky rocket playing with
Nash. 10 or more OWS is certainly within reach for him, as well as a .200 or
more WS/48. Kobe Bryant may have his finest, most complete season yet; his transformation
from a slasher to a do-it-all type shooting guard has helped him age like a
fine wine. It also helps to be playing with a Top 5 point guard and one of the
best passers in NBA history.
