Kobe Bryant: Scores 33 Points in Loss to Pelicans (video highlights)
By Mike Garcia
Kobe Bryant has been on a scoring tear since the season started. Now averaging over 27 points per game through 8 games, it’s as if he was never injured in the first place.
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While he hasn’t been able to take over entire games, he has been able to take over entire quarters. He started off shooting 6 of 10 from the field and 3 of 5 behind the arc after the first quarter. He took shots reminiscent of a younger Kobe Bryant, high in difficulty but ending with a swish.
It has been tough to watch the Lakers lose, but Kobe Bryant has been able to keep the team in the game. His first quarter spurt carried the Lakers to a short lead in the second quarter, until the Pelicans became relentless attacking in the paint and hitting the glass.
Against Memphis, Kobe’s fourth quarter heroics gave the Lakers an opportunity to steal a game against the Grizzlies, but fell short on a bad miss from Jordan Hill from the perimeter.
Kobe Bryant’s shot volume hasn’t been too much of an issue. Yes, he’s taking over 24 shots per game, with a few misses leading to transition points. However, the team has broken out of the mold of just standing around. Jeremy Lin struggled against the Pelicans with a 4 of 11 outing, but looked better compared to his poor games earlier in the season.
It’s only a matter of time before the Lakers get Nick Young back, Kobe Bryant gets his legs, and Jeremy Lin becomes more consistent. Once that happens, the Lakers will have a three-headed guard unit that can spur waves of energy on both ends of the floor.