A Scout’s Eye: Kobe Bryant

Dec 8, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant warms up before the game against the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

From tonight’s game, despite how he looked, there is room for optimism.  His confidence was growing with every possession.  He started out walking up court.  He jogged up court.  By the end, he was skipping along, being bouncy, shifty off the dribble to shake his defender.  He didn’t look winded on the floor, but as soon as he starts to run more comfortably, lean out into game shape, and show a floor game suited to IQ instead of isolation play, his career and offensive effectiveness will extend. The real surprising part is, it’ll be a transformation to his game that no one would ever expect, and arguably always wished for.  However, he is the Black Mamba. He doesn’t stop. There always be the fear that he’ll strike and drop 50 the next game.