December 25, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) speaks with guard D’Angelo Russell (1) during a stoppage in play against Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Christmas at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
2. Will Kobe Bryant make it through the whole season?
Bryant seemingly rediscovered the fountain of youth for much of December, improving his shooting percentage during the month to 39 percent (and to 44 percent over the last nine games before last night’s game with Charlotte) compared to 29 percent in November. That’s the real reason for the team’s somewhat improved play as of late, not the change in the starting lineup.
However, he hasn’t been able to finish any of the previous three seasons due to injury. Already this season he has suffered minor back and shoulder ailments, and now he’s nursing a sore knee. His energy level is noticeably starting to lag along with his performance the last few games.
Scott has reduced Bryant’s playing time to about 32 minutes per game. But recently on an LA sports talk station, Dr. Robert Klapper said that’s still too much. Klapper said that, for Kobe to get through the whole season, he should be playing 21 minutes per contest. Do you think Byron Scott was listening?
3) Is Lakers management convinced that D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson should be the backcourt of the future?
If so, then why aren’t the two playing together more often? Clarkson is currently starting and, when Russell comes off the bench, he usually replaces him.
Wouldn’t it be best to play them side-by-side and then evaluate how they work together? And shouldn’t the two of them be joined on the court by the other young potential star, Julius Randall, as much as possible so the three of them can develop chemistry together?
Part of the answer to that question leads directly to another one:
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