NBA Blog

I said earlier in the week that I would provide a little insight into why Kobe did not deserve to win the MVP Award this season.  Through the first half of the season, Kobe’s name was mentioned as much as Dirk’s name was as a viable candidate to unseat reigning MVP Steve Nash.  Well, when you look at the numbers, you will see why Kobe cost himself the MVP and may have helped the late season swoon of the Lake-show.

Take a look at the following statistics for Bryand (broken down into pre- and post-All Star Break)*

You can see that Kobe was taking 20.3 shots per game for the Lakers when they were playing great team basketball.  If you look at the post-All Star break numbers, Kobe was taking seven more shots per game, and only making three more shots per game.  He took one more three point attempt per game and did not increase his makes from beyond the arc.  None of the other Laker players increased their rebounding percentages after the All Star break, so this one additional missed shot turned into a long rebound that led to one additional fast break for the opposing team.  Kobe’s assist numbers also dropped ever so slightly.  No other Laker increased their assists durign the second half of the season.  Their offense became a lot of Kobe dribbling around and hoisting jumpers. 

Several key players’ numbers dropped over the final 25+ games while Kobe was putting up his massive scoring numbers. 
Andrew Bynum, who was a key player early in the year had his points and rebounds drop from 8.4 points and 6.6 rebounds to 6.6 points and 4.6 rebounds after the All Star break.
Kwame Brown went from averaging 8.7 points and 6.6 rebounds to averaging 8.0 points and 5.0 rebounds as well.  (Perhaps there were some missed rebounding opportunities for these big men because of long rebounds off of long jumpers)
Lamar Odom, the second fiddle to Kobe, went from averaging 16.6 points to 14.9 points late in the year.  (Also note that Odom and Brown actually increased their shooting percentages.  It would have been nice if there was more ball movement to create more looks for them.)
Luke Walton went from 11.7 points to 10.8 because he wasn’t getting to the line as much.  This happens when there is no movement in the offense, a typical result from the one man game.

The only player other than Kobe to increase their scoring output over the final 25 games was Maurice Evans.  The question is, did Evans fit in better with Kobe, or did Evans get more minutes and shots because he was filling in for the injured Vlad Radmanovic?

In games where Kobe scored 40 or more points, the Lakers were 11-5.  In games where someone other than Kobe was the high scorer, the Lakers were 11-4.  This shows that the rest of the Laker squad can handle themselves on the court.  Brian Cook can handle himself beyond the arc.  Kwame Brown has been serviceable.  Lamar Odom posted a double-double for the season.  Luke Walton is a very solid 10 points and 4 or 5 rebounds and assists.  Andrew Bynum has made leaps and bounds from a year ago.  There is talent there. 

The most telling sign of how Kobe cost his team was the Lakers record when they revert back to Kobe-one-man-show ball.  In games where the leader in assists had five or fewer assists, the Lakers went 4-18.  Those are the games where Kobe got it in his head that he was the one and only thing that could make the Lakers win.  After the All Star Break, when Kobe was scoring at a ridiculous clip, the Lakers went 12-16 and barely hung onto a playoff berth.  Prior to the All Star Break, the Lakers were playing great team basketball, with Kobe taking over when necessary at the end of games (just like Steve Nash has done this year), the Lakers were six games above .500, at 30-24.

I’m not trying to openly dog Kobe.  There were times this season where he was unbelievable, and his scoring ability is jaw-dropping.  I just want him to rely more on his teammates and the team system.  He has the ability to shut players down on the defensive end.  He can also take over games when necessary (or if he goes on fire), but in the interim he should involve the rest of his team more often.  If those things ever happen, and there have been brilliant glimpses of them all coinciding at once, Kobe will be a sure-fire multi-time MVP.  This year, however, he will have to settle for the scoring championship.  Basically, I want less Michael Ray Richardson and more Oscar Robertson from Kobe.**

*Statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com

**Please note that all of the aforementioned statements will be used for Gilbert Arenas next season and LeBron James in two seasons, with the statistics and player names changed.