In 41 games, the Los Angeles Lakers have managed to win a meager 12 games this season. They are one of the worst teams in the league, and their best player is an aging 36-year-old who is coming off two major leg injuries.
The Lakers would be wise to shut Kobe Bryant down soon. There is no point of him playing the rest of the season with this current cast. Bryant has already sat out seven games to rest his aching body.
Bryant still has plenty left in the tank, as he showed the world with his 17-assist performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bryant is showing the willingness to evolve his game by becoming more of a facilitator instead of carrying the scoring load. If the Lakers put better players around him next season, Kobe’s new pass-first mantra will be beneficial to the future.
The Lakers are in contention for one of the worst records in the entire league. They are on pace to keep their high draft pick away from the Phoenix Suns, as they would need to forfeit the pick if the Lakers’ record is not one of the five worst records. The franchise is being very protective of their picks, and they are unwilling to use them in potential trades.
By shutting down Bryant for the rest of the season, this Lakers team will maintain pace with the rest of the terrible teams. Friday’s loss to a 14-win Utah Jazz is further evidence of what lies ahead. This Lakers squad is resilient, but they lack the talent to close out games. They simply are not good enough.
There is no point of Kobe playing beyond the All-Star break. He carries more than 20 years of mileage on his Hall of fame legs, and his body is deteriorating as he gets older. He risks another injury if he continues to play, which would be detrimental to the franchise, as they signed him to a two-year extension worth $48.5 million.
The Lakers should preserve Bryant for next season when they can add one or two impact players who can carry the load. Bryant is not able to carry a team to a championship this far in his career, but he’s skilled enough to contribute to a contender as his game evolves.
The Lakers should shut Bryant down after the All-Star game. He’s essentially on a farewell tour throughout the NBA. When the Lakers retool next season, Bryant will be ready for one last ride.
Pablo Jacobo is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @pjacobosports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.
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