Kobe Bryant Showing Positive Signs in Preseason
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
There was much speculation as to whether or not Kobe Bryant would be able to return from numerous injuries as an elite player for the Los Angeles Lakers. Few could question his work ethic to get back to playing at a high level, but it’s never easy for an aging veteran with a lot of mileage to return from multiple season-ending injuries. In the few games that he was able to play last season, Bryant did not look like his old self. He had a high turnover rate, wasn’t efficient with his shots and was easily beat off of the dribble. However, during the preseason, Bryant is looking healthy again and has continued to adapt his game to meet his declining athletic ability.
One thing that Coach Byron Scott has done a good job of is getting Bryant the ball in the post. He has always been a skilled post player, and will need to lean on this portion of his game even more. He has also looked good passing the ball from different areas of the court, understanding that he wouldn’t be able to carry the scoring load by himself. The team does not have a lot of great three-point shooters, but they have several players that can consistently hit the mid-range shot to help keep defenders honest.
Bryant continues to be crafty from the perimeter as well, utilizing his many pump fakes and excellent foot work to get his shots off. He hasn’t been launching as many threes, trusting his mid-range game even more. On defense, it is obvious that he can no longer be counted on to lock down scorers, but he has showed an increased effort. He is rotating more off of the ball and not gambling on every pass thrown his direction.
Bryant is showing everyone that he is ready for the season to begin. He has looked good offensively, and should continue to be an excellent scorer. He has shown off his playmaking skills, which the Lakers will need from him even more. If he can stay healthy and manage his minutes properly, then he should be in line for a good individual season.
5 Hardest Things About Being An Atlanta Hawks Fan
Being a sports fan in the city of Atlanta is tough in general, and that’s especially true if you are a fan of the Atlanta Hawks. Here are five reasons why. Read More
LeBron Returns To Ohio In Latest Beats Ad
Beats by Dre tells the story of LeBron James coming home to Ohio. Read More
Lakers Need Xavier Henry to Get Healthy
The Los Angeles Lakers need Xavier Henry to get healthy. Read More
Hayward's Play Making Max Deal a Non-Issue
$63 million contract for Gordon Hayward? Recent returns say he'll be worth every penny for the Utah Jazz. Read More
Heat Find Consistency With Win Against Spurs
The Miami Heat are starting to find their groove by winning their second straight preseason game. Read More
Bogdanovic Likely to Start for the Nets At SG
This is Bojan Bogdanovic's first year in the NBA, but it's already looking like he'll be starting at shooting guard for the Brooklyn Nets on opening night. Read More
Brooklyn Nets' Mason Plumlee Ready to Step In
Mason Plumlee played a huge role with the Nets last season off the bench with the Lopez injury. This year he should be starting until Lopez returns. Read More
San Antonio Spurs Should Ignore Phoenix Suns Owner
The San Antonio Spurs weren’t entertaining enough in their recent game against the Phoenix Suns. See who had to apologize for their performance right here. Read More