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Lakers sore at Kobe's OT shooting
Kobe Bryant valiantly carried the Lakers through regulation's final five minutes, using his head and his heart and the best Mother's Day passing that didn't involve a brunch plate. But once he pulled his team into the overtime, he seemingly abandoned them there. He insisted on shooting even as his wracked body was betraying those shots. He forgot about passing even though that is what the Lakers had done best. The Lakers survived regulation thanks to him, but lost in overtime seemingly because of him. Coach Phil Jackson blamed the overtime problems on Bryant's teammates for not working hard enough to get the ball. "I was angry at his teammates for dropping the ball in his lap," Jackson said. "I felt guys just bailed out on him." And most of Bryant's teammates received it with wonder. They took exactly three of the team's 10 shots in overtime, and it was their fault?
A few weeks ago, I proclaimed that an MVP award would signal the redemption of Kobe Bryant. It would also top off a great story: the transformation of a me-first superstar into a mature, team oriented leader who inspired his team to best record in the Western Conference.
But last Sunday night against the Jazz, Kobe seemed to forget the script of this epic tale of redemption; going it alone in overtime as the Lakers lost 115-123 to tie the playoff series at 2-2.
So will Kobe’s regression to old ways continue and will this lead to defeat in Game 5 against the Jazz? Hubdub puts a Lakers loss at 40%. Disagree? Make your predictions here!
NBA Playoffs- Utah Jazz at LA Lakers- Who will win on 5/14/2008?
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Kobe is an amazing athlete but clearly is hurt. The one thing he has always struggled with is team play. He tries to carry the team and this time he better trust them and let them carry him or it will be over soon.
drj0514
Total Comments (4471)
Calm down, calm down. Kobe hasn't regressed. What I saw was Kobe playing frustrated...at himself. He prides himself on being the closer in big games like that, and he let his frustration with the injury lead him into trying a little too hard. I agree that he should have passed the ball more, but he hasn't regressed.
pennwjr
Columbia , SC
Total Comments (37)
No need to start another Kobe hate rant bandwagon.
4th quarters have been Kobe's time even when Shaq was there...
What you saw was a very physically hurt team leader ignoring his pain and doing his best to do what he's hired to do...
As to all the speculation after the fact of if and should,.. this thread would have been some other story if he passed and the team-mate missed..
"Kobe passed the ball instead of shooting and the Lakers lost. Has he lost his confidence ?"
It never ends !
NBAallTheWay
San Diego, CA
Total Comments (891)
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