A Scout’s Eye: Kobe Bryant

Dec 8, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) brings the ball up court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe rarely leaked out.  He was the backup point guard for the Laker team, dribble-heavy, ball-dominant.  When he brings the ball up-court and tries to run the pick and roll, it’s as if the other Laker teammates disappear.  This is important.  Pick and roll play is supposed to create 2-on-1 situations to set up the roll-man for an easy score. What works best for the Laker team though, isn’t the initial pick and roll play, but the 3rd, 4th, and 5th options on offense.  The ball-movement out of the pick and roll this season has led to wide open shots.  Those shots account for career high 3-point field goal percentages for multiple players, including Meeks, Henry, and Wesley Johnson; all of whom float around 45%.  Kobe isn’t the definitive expert on executing the pocket pass, and usually opts to finish the pick and roll play by himself, without hitting the roll man.  What’s worse is, when Kobe did pass to shooters for open three-point shots, they all missed.  The rhythm wasn’t synced well with the team, and it’s different from getting a firm pass from Blake, Nash, or Farmar to catch and pull up in rhythm.