When you are legendary, not a good or great, but a legendary player, people should not be surprised that you can make adjustments in your game if you want to.
If Lebron wanted to average 35 a night he could and probably do it easily, he is that good. If Kobe wanted he could average 24, 7 and 8, but that has never been his role. His role as he has told us many times is to score and score often.
A younger Kobe might have just kept gunning even though the Lakers were losing, but this more mature version of Bean decided to try something different and so far it is working.
How long will it work? That is up for discussion, but three straight games of double digits assists have led to three straight wins for the struggling Lakers. Winning cures all and as long as the Ws keep piling up look for Kobe’s assists to rise as well.
You are witnessing a legendary player in his final days, you should appreciate what you are seeing because once Kobe is gone you will truly understand how great he was.
As for Bean here is how he eloquently describes his play of late.
Kobe on his ability to switch from shooting guard to point guard so easily: “I’m like Neo out this m—– f—–“
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 30, 2013
Kobe on proving his critics wrong: “Most of you guys thought I couldn’t do it. That’s pretty funny.”
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 30, 2013
Kobe: “My idol was Magic. I just so happened to not grow to 6-9. After I realized I wasn’t going to be 6-9 that was the end of that dream.”
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 30, 2013
In my old age, sometimes I forget things, but I knew I had heard that reference before. Then it hit me, I was the one who called Kobe NEO Bryant almost four years ago.
Time flies……..
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