Who's fault?: Kobe, D'Antoni, or entire team?

[JBKB]

If you ask me, Kobe is trying to ballhog his way to victory. His usage rate is the highest in the league. Usage rate simply means the number of possessions a player uses per 40 minutes. In fact, Kobe's user rate in terms of 3-point shooting is the highest among present AND PAST players who have played the game.

I personally think Kobe is the reason that explains the Lakers' failure this year. Does anyone also think if Kobe passed the ball more, the Lakers would not be six games under 500?

Now, there is nothing wrong with ballhogging "if he actually shoots a high percentage." However, Kobe is bricking his team deeper under 0.500. What do you all think? Is it Kobe fault, D'Antoni's, or the entire team's fault?

[R-Star]

Its up to D'Antoni to tell everyone who gets to shoot. If Kobes it out there chucking and not listening to D'Antoni, that's the coaches fault for not being able to coach the players.

And where's the blame for supposed DPOY Dwight Howard? Hes playing like an average center for the most part, is top 10 in tech's, and tied for 1st on ejections.

And what of Steve Nash?


The fact everyone keeps trying to put this squarely on Kobe is funny to me. Especially when you can see most of the time he's one of the only guys out there who actually gives a ****. Dwight is all smiles even in blow outs. Unless he misses a play on defense, or misses a layup. Then hes screaming and crying to refs.

[King Sancho Fantastic]

It's the entire teams fault, including the coaches.

[R-Star]

Yea bro.

[JBKB]

Originally Posted by R-Star

Its up to D'Antoni to tell everyone who gets to shoot. If Kobes it out there chucking and not listening to D'Antoni, that's the coaches fault for not being able to coach the players.

I agree! D'Antoni should speak up fast because chances are he'll eventually be fired anyway. I'd personally bench Kobe so he'll get his act together and be more of a team player by helping his Lakers out of this hole instead of digging it deeper.

Originally Posted by R-Star

And where's the blame for supposed DPOY Dwight Howard? Hes playing like an average center for the most part, is top 10 in tech's, and tied for 1st on ejections.

And what of Steve Nash?

Dwight is all smiles even in blow outs. Unless he misses a play on defense, or misses a layup. Then hes screaming and crying to refs.

Well, I've always thought that Dwight Howard sucks. Unless he is fed the ball right next to the rim to dunk or layup, he often bricks the shot, or bricks important free-throws. I believe the Lakers shouldn't be below 500 even if Dwight were not on the Lakers.

Oh, and you're right; Dwight is all smiles! He's not a competitor, and only loves the spotlight. He's a drama queen!

Steve Nash is old and can't defend, so all that Nash hype was just hype to bring in revenue.

[XxIrvingxX]

If you had any sense of logic in your posts, you would realize that from 2005-2007, during a time in which Kobe was not only actually ball hogging intentionally, but was actually on a MUCH worse team, his ball hogging was the only thing keeping the Lakers in playoff contention, and on two occasions actually got them to the playoffs. So clearly Kobe is not the fault here, if anything Kobe's the reason as to why the Lakers record isn't worse than what it currently is.

It's the entire teams fault. Howard looks like he gives less of a shit out there than he did in Orlando, Nash imo is doing what was expected of him, play good offense but provide absolutely no defense, Jaminson has been disappointing for the most part with only a handful of great games off the bench, and the Lakers have been hampered with injuries.

The biggest fault in all of this is D'Antoni. I know I've probably said this so many times that people have lost count, but it's the truth, and I shouldn't have to explain why.

[XxIrvingxX]

Originally Posted by JBKB

I agree! D'Antoni should speak up fast because chances are he'll eventually be fired anyway. I'd personally bench Kobe so he'll get his act together and be more of a team player by helping his Lakers out of this hole instead of digging it deeper.

And this is where your problem lies. Kobe isn't digging his team into a hole with the way he's been playing. He's been saving his team from being a complete embarrassment in of itself. He was making life hell for Brandon Jennings the last time they met on defense, and offensively he's been producing at an incredible level, something you're continuing to deny constantly.

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by XxIrvingxX

If you had any sense of logic in your posts, you would realize that from 2005-2007, during a time in which Kobe was not only actually ball hogging intentionally, but was actually on a MUCH worse team, his ball hogging was the only thing keeping the Lakers in playoff contention, and on two occasions actually got them to the playoffs. So clearly Kobe is not the fault here, if anything Kobe's the reason as to why the Lakers record isn't worse than what it currently is.

It's the entire teams fault. Howard looks like he gives less of a shit out there than he did in Orlando, Nash imo is doing what was expected of him, play good offense but provide absolutely no defense, Jaminson has been disappointing for the most part with only a handful of great games off the bench, and the Lakers have been hampered with injuries.

The biggest fault in all of this is D'Antoni. I know I've probably said this so many times that people have lost count, but it's the truth, and I shouldn't have to explain why.

Just like it was Mike Browns fault?

[JBKB]

Originally Posted by XxIrvingxX

If you had any sense of logic in your posts, you would realize that from 2005-2007, during a time in which Kobe was not only actually ball hogging intentionally, but was actually on a MUCH worse team, his ball hogging was the only thing keeping the Lakers in playoff contention, and on two occasions actually got them to the playoffs. So clearly Kobe is not the fault here, if anything Kobe's the reason as to why the Lakers record isn't worse than what it currently is.

It's the entire teams fault. Howard looks like he gives less of a shit out there than he did in Orlando, Nash imo is doing what was expected of him, play good offense but provide absolutely no defense, Jaminson has been disappointing for the most part with only a handful of great games off the bench, and the Lakers have been hampered with injuries.

The biggest fault in all of this is D'Antoni. I know I've probably said this so many times that people have lost count, but it's the truth, and I shouldn't have to explain why.

Well the problem with Kobe is that he isn't consistent with his scoring. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he is having one of the lowest shooting percentages of his entire career.

Now, the ballhogging wouldn't be a problem if Kobe ballhogs while winning games. No one would say a thing. However, Kobe is ballhogging and losing. His ballhogging in situations when other players are wide open only yells out to fans and media that he is seeking the title of number one in all-time points scored. He is willing to reach this title of all-time points scored even if it means not making the playoffs. Kobe is trying to consistently score a certain number of points per game since he realizes he only has a few years left in his NBA career.

Yes, Kobe has had many 30+ points per game, but he is also shooting a low percentage to get those 30+ points. I like extreme examples : ), so I will end it with this statement: Even a person shooting 10% will eventually score 30 points if given many many opportunities to ballhog.

[JBKB]

Ok! Just checked Kobe's fgp this season, and I am wrong. He is actually shooting higher than his career fgp average. I've seen him go cold so many times that I assumed it was lower. Also, lets not forget how often he goes to the line, so that explains why his percentage is high. I would love see the field goal percentage of his non-fouled shots, but the NBA won't provide that stat. lol

Anyway, Kobe knows what he is doing. He wants all-time leader in points scored, even if it means losing. Even if the Lakers didn't make the playoffs the next three years, Kobe will have found a way to hugely boost his stats in some way or another such that he retires as the greatest regardless of a horrible Lakers ending.

If Kobe is willing to score 15-20 points per game, and instead focus on getting the entire team involved, the Lakers could make the playoffs without a question.

[Wilt_The_Stilt]

Kobe is doing what he has always done. It's not perfect but it was enough to win 5 titles. I don't think all the blame can be laid on him.

We are an old, slow team that doesn't play to our strengths (look how many 3's we shoot) with a mediocre bench and we don't play defense.

[XxIrvingxX]

Originally Posted by R-Star

Just like it was Mike Browns fault?

That was different and you know that. Their offense wasn't as good as it is now and they weren't this horrible on defense.

[XxIrvingxX]

Originally Posted by JBKB

If Kobe is willing to score 15-20 points per game, and instead focus on getting the entire team involved, the Lakers could make the playoffs without a question.

*facepalm*

You really don't get it do you? The Lakers offense isn't the reason as to why they're under 500. It's their defense. Where are you getting this whole idea that if Kobe played more team basketball, the Lakers would be winning more? You're so damn clueless it isn't even funny. Kobe is the one keeping the Lakers in possible contention.

Originally Posted by JBKB

Well the problem with Kobe is that he isn't consistent with his scoring. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he is having one of the lowest shooting percentages of his entire career.

...what? He's shooting 47% when rounded out from the field this season, and his career average is 45%. Where do you get your facts from?

Originally Posted by JBKB

Now, the ballhogging wouldn't be a problem if Kobe ballhogs while winning games. No one would say a thing. However, Kobe is ballhogging and losing.

No one is saying anything at all! You're the only person I know right now who is actually pointing to Kobe as the reason for the Lakers troubles right now, and that is retarded in every sense of the word.

Originally Posted by JBKB

His ballhogging in situations when other players are wide open only yells out to fans and media that he is seeking the title of number one in all-time points scored. He is willing to reach this title of all-time points scored even if it means not making the playoffs.

Originally Posted by JBKB

Kobe is trying to consistently score a certain number of points per game since he realizes he only has a few years left in his NBA career.

Nice to see you have legitimate proof of that.

Originally Posted by JBKB

Yes, Kobe has had many 30+ points per game, but he is also shooting a low percentage to get those 30+ points. I like extreme examples : ), so I will end it with this statement: Even a person shooting 10% will eventually score 30 points if given many many opportunities to ballhog.

To bad that doesn't apply here because as I just pointed out before, Kobe is in fact shooting at a very high percentage, in fact right now this is the third highest shooting percentage he's ever had in his career.

Seriously, where do you get your facts from? Wikipedia is a more reliable source at this point than you are.

[e-monk]

Originally Posted by JBKB

If you ask me

no one did Doctor Drippy - you're a troll

[Luke]

This agenda is retarded especially considering Kobe and Ronnie are literally the only two players in the starting lineup that give a damn on a consistent basis.


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