Lets assume that the Lakers don’t make a major trade in the offseason and come back with the same core players, the number one reason why the Lakers won’t win another title is this statement by Kobe Bryant.
He is speaking on the contention that Andrew Bynum should get more touches.
“Ultimately, he’ll have to fall in line because I’m gonna shoot the ball,” Bryant said. “We all know that. Pau is going to get his touches. He’s No. 2. And then [Andrew] will have to fall in line.”
I wouldn’t expect Kobe to say anything differently than that. The problem is that Bryant even though he will never admit it is slowing down.
He is still a great player, but no longer a dominant player. He is not able to simply carry a team on his shoulders anymore.
I equate him to Batman.
Batman unlike Superman isn’t an alien, he is human and no matter how great he is eventually he will get old. The reflexes get a little slower, can’t drive the Batmobile like he use to & jumping from building to building gets tougher on the knees.
It isn’t about touches or that Bynum is a superstar, it is about Kobe understand he has to let someone drive the car from time to time.
Tim Duncan understands that, but to expect Kobe to is opposite of his personality and will never happened.
In the end the drive that pushed Kobe to such a great level, could be the thing that holds the Lakers back in his final years.