Heading into the season, everyone knew that Kobe Bryant wasn’t the player he once was. Still, I don’t think anyone thought it was going to be this bad. Bryant has struggled mightily, throwing up airballs aplenty and, on far too many occasions, trying to force things that just aren’t there.
Even as the Lakers won their first game last night, Bryant was just 5-16 from the field. He did manage to get to the line a good amount, sinking seven of eight free throws to push his point total to a team-best 18 points.
And, on on possession at least, he looked like the Kobe of old. Iso-ing in the mid-post, he started to go to work, as he has numerous times this year, and throughout his career. All of a sudden he shed Wayne Ellington and started to drive to the basket. Brook Lopez came over to help, but Bryant simply went around him, as he double-clutched, then reversed the ball home.
Finesse.
Guess it turns out the Kobe System is still functioning…well at least some of the time. You’re welcome.