Expanding Roles, Quarter of the Season

Dec 16, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) tries to keep the ball in bounds in the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Bryant is blending in his shot selection with playmaking game-by-game.  While adapting to the point guard role, his decision-making to find the open man and hit a teammate with an open pass is more instinctive instead of forceful.  Kobe tends to have a one-track mind when it comes to playmaking or scoring, but lately, he’s been hitting the open man more effectively than his prime years, and more consistently on a game-to-game basis.  The spacing is slowly getting better, the shot selection is getting better, and the team isn’t losing much rhythm or energy in the process.