Kobe Bryant reveals why he shoots so much

Los Angeles Lakers star shooting guard Kobe Bryant revealed that he is shooting the ball so frequently this season in order to teach the younger Lakers.

Kobe Bryant’s shooting numbers this season are not pretty. The 37-year-old veteran is hoisting up 16.2 shots per game, but is only averaging 16.5 points. Through seven games, his field goal percentage is a career low 32 percent.  He’s shooting an measly 20.8 percent from behind the arc, while attempting eight 3-pointers a game.

It’s not only sad to see the former 2008 MVP and the 11-time All-NBA First-Team player struggle, but it is also confusing why he’s chucking up so many shots at an uncharacteristically low percentage. On Monday, Kobe revealed there is a method and means to his shooting pattern.

Bryant told Ken Berger of CBS Sports that he’s trying to provide an example for the younger players:

"Because they learn by observing how I approach it. They don’t want to see me approach it as an average player, or approach it as a player who’s 20 years in. They want to and need to see that focus and that intensity and that energy and that drive. That’s how they learn. They’ve told me that. They want to see that. That’s how they want to learn."

It makes perfect sense for the younger Lakers to want to learn from Bryant, who is one the greatest players in NBA history. However, Bryant’s frequent shooting does take away from the reps these Lakers prospects would get.

Bryant’s shot selection does have the support of Lakers head coach Byron Scott—for now.

Though it might be hard to envision Bryant retired, his time to hang up his sneakers will come. The Lakers have a bright young core of Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and rookie D’Angelo Russell, so life after Kobe might not be terrible after all.

In the meantime, these young Lakers will learn from one of the best players ever as they develop.