Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
1. Kobe Bryant
Well, 19 years into the Hall of Fame career, this may be the last time that Kobe Bryant is listed as the best player on the Lakers. With a recently torn rotator cuff, Bryant’s season is likely over, and retirement is definitely an option for him at this point. Instead of mourning over another season ending career for the Black Mamba, let’s look at his tremendous first half of the season.
Whether he deserved to be an All-Star starter of not, there is not doubt that Kobe put together an impressive half of the season, for somebody who is 36 years old. Bryant posted two triple-doubles, and led the league in scoring for the first month or so of the season. Most notably, Bryant passed Michael Jordan for third on the all-time scoring list. As previously stated, Bryant also set a new career high with 17 assists in one game.
Although Bryant’s field goal percentage was the lowest of his career, there is no doubt that he was a border-line All-Star caliber player at the guard position. He still managed to put up an impressive stat line of 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. Bryant also had games of 44, and 39 points, and four games of double digit assists.
It is devastating watching the 5x champion go out like this, but also heart warming knowing that Kobe Bryant gave this Lakers team everything he had in the first half of the season. I think we all hope to see Bryant have a speedy recovery, and come back next year to prove us wrong again.