One of the characteristics of an aging player is a reduction in his free throw attempts. In this particular measurement, Kobe Bryant is redefining what it means to play in year 19. He is averaging 9 free throw attempts a game, something he has not done in seven years. He is averaging more trips to the line than Lebron James. In fact, he is averaging more free throw attempts than Lebron James has averaged the past five years.
This year, Kobe is second to James Harden in getting to the line. But you wouldn’t know it in the close games the Lakers have lost. In the last three minutes, Kobe has attempted only two free throws. Opposing teams are more than willing to let him take (and miss) perimeter shots. And he has not attacked the defense.
Nov 26, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) chases after a loose ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. The Grizzlies defeated the Lakers 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jeremy Lin has taken four free throws in the last two games as the games entered their most crucial stage. He has made 25% of them.
In every close game, it is guards the Lakers cannot defend: Jamal Crawford, Eric Blesoe, Ty Lawson, Mike Conley. The script is familiar. The Lakers could have won four games at home but lost all four because of offensive, defensive and rebounding breakdowns.
October 31st, Clippers: The score was tied 109-109 with three minutes left. Jamal Crawford hit a three to give the Clippers the lead. Kobe answered with a mid-range to cut the lead to one, 112-111. After a Kobe miss, the Lakers whiffed on the rebound. Blake Griffin was fouled with 21 seconds left. Griffin built the lead back up to 3 and Kobe clanked a three to tie. Clippers win by 7.
In the last three minutes, the Lakers had one rebound by Wayne Ellington, their shooting guard. Three players attempted shots: Kobe Bryant, Wayne Ellington, Jordan Hill. They shot 30%. The Clippers shot 50%. The Lakers went to the line 0 times.
November 4th, Phoenix: 100-97 Suns at the three minute mark. Jeremy Lin missed a 15 footer. Once again, the Lakers don’t get the rebound. Eric Bledsoe’s layup increased the Phoenix lead to 5. Kobe drained a jumper cutting the lead to 102-99. Markieff Morris made a layup and on the other end Jeremy Lin missed a jumper. But Jordan Hill grabbed the offensive board and scored on a put back. Lakers down by 3. Markieff Morris hit a long jumper followed by a Kobe 3. Suns 106-104, fifty two seconds left.
Jordan Hill fouled Eric Bledsoe who swished two free throws. Kobe missed a shot in the paint, no one rebounded it and the Suns sprinted down the court. P.J. Tucker hit a three, sealing the win for the Suns. They won by 6.
In the last three minutes the Lakers had 3 rebounds, 2 offensive, all by Jordan Hill. Three players took shots: Jeremy Lin, Kobe Bryant and Jordan Hill. They shot 38% while the Suns made 100% of their shots. Only Jordan Hill went to the free throw line.
November 23, Denver: Lakers lead was three. But they missed every shot they took, all six of them, five of them taken by Kobe. With 80 seconds left, Aaron Afflalo cut the lead to one. Danilo Gallinari missed a free throw that would have given the Nuggets the lead. Overtime.
In overtime, in the last three minutes, the score was tied after a Ty Lawson jumper. Jeremy Lin missed two free throws. On the other end, Ty Lawson missed a jumper and Lakers were out hustled. Timofey Mozgov scored on the putback to give the Nuggets a two point lead. Kobe tied the score after two free throws. Wesley Johnson then fouled Danilo Gallinari who made the first and missed the second. But the Lakers fell asleep on the rebound and Gallinari drained a three, giving the Nuggets a four point lead and icing the game.
Nov 26, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) battles for the ball with Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee (5) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Quincy Pondexter (8) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
In the last three minutes of overtime, the Lakers had one rebound as time expired. The Nuggets had 6 rebounds. The Lakers made 20% of their shots, most of which was Kobe Bryant. The Nuggets made 75% of theirs. The Lakers went to the line twice but Jeremy Lin’s misses negated the advantage.
November 26, Memphis: At the three minute mark a Kobe Bryant jumper cut the lead to 4. A Mike Conley runner in the lane put the lead to 6. Nick Young was fouled shooting a three and made all his free throws. The score was 95-92 Memphis with two minutes remaining. Marc Gasol hit a deep mid range to build the lead back up to 5. Jeremy Lin missed a free throw then made a free throw and the Lakers would not score again.
In the last 3 minutes, the Lakers had 2 rebounds courtesy of Jeremy Lin and Wes Johnson. The Lakers guards shot 20%. The Lakers went to the line twice but once again Jeremy Lin missed a free throw.