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06:29 PM ET 01.05 | The Los Angeles Lakers fell to 15-17 and 11th place in the Western Conference after dropping Friday's game against the crosstown rival Los Angeles Clippers. Los Angeles was supposed to be an unstoppable force in the NBA this season after adding Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in the offseason, but the team has not been able to gel. That hasn't stopped Kobe Bryant from having a career year. Bryant leads the NBA in attempts per game with 22 and he is averaging more points per game than he has since 2006-07 season. But could it be Bryant keeping the ball out of his teammates hands that is slowing down the Lakers production? At least one player, center Dwight Howard, indicated that could be the issue following the loss to the Clippers. "Look at the difference between our team and theirs," Howard said. "They just play together. They share the ball. Everybody's excited when something happens. We have to be like that to be a great team." Howard is on to something. It is no secret that Kobe has been considered a ball hog in the past and his need for the ball has taken away from Steve Nash's ability to run and distribute the ball.

Dwight Howard, Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

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January 6, 2013 05:33 PM ET

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We all know he's not resigning with the Lakers. He already has a foot out the door.

blackhammer35

Riverside , CA

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January 6, 2013 05:40 PM ET

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Typical selfish Kobe runs another superstar out of town... LOL!!! Kobe is more concerned with chasing scoring records then winning another championship. Is anyone really surprised though?!?

Swauny Jones

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January 6, 2013 05:50 PM ET

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the only reason i analyze the play from dwight is due to him being on my fantasy team....that being said..can this man look any less interested on offense? he doesn't move around...he sets a poor screen attempt and rolls off and if he doesnt get the dump off he just stands by the wing. im the biggestkobe basher..but come on dwight...and yea...spend time to work on a respectable free throw percentage. its ridiculous. do something to get people excited..

ThE WiLLiesT

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January 6, 2013 05:55 PM ET

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you tell them Dwight!

Onion

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January 6, 2013 06:11 PM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 05:33 PM ET 01.06 by blackhammer35

He already has a foot out the door.

And one foot on a banana peel.

Tark The Shark

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January 6, 2013 06:22 PM ET

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All could be better if they had signed a better coach.

Crooked Stiches

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January 6, 2013 06:24 PM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 06:22 PM ET 01.06 by Crooked Stiches

All could be better if they had signed a better coach.

Sam Mitchell & Butch Carter are available

Onion

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January 6, 2013 06:39 PM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 06:24 PM ET 01.06 by Onion

Sam Mitchell & Butch Carter are available to mop the sweat of the court.

Fixed.

Crooked Stiches

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January 6, 2013 06:54 PM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 06:22 PM ET 01.06 by Crooked Stiches

All could be better if they had signed a better coach.

Jerry Tarkanian.

Tark The Shark

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January 6, 2013 07:27 PM ET

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"Sharing", Howard may have something here. Kobe is the key to making this current system work and he isn't letting it happen.

< HiLife >

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January 6, 2013 08:07 PM ET

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I saw this a mile away. No coach no system, and a player with the history of doing too much when he sees team flailing. Not fauting Kobe, but you have Steve Nash.... Sometimes he knows a player is open before they do. All Kobe has to do is run the court get open and Nash will do the rest. This is turning out to be a disaster. Whats the record for coaching changes in a single season?

Cel signing off

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January 7, 2013 12:01 AM ET

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until I looked at the bank draft that said $9428, I be certain ...that...my mom in-law woz like they say really bringing in money in their spare time at there computar.. there best friend has done this 4 less than nineteen months and by now cleard the loans on there place and bought themselves a Mercedes. I went here...... http://www.youtube.com.bit40.???om/watch?v=QZEpDqP3IrQ

branderbobro

Moody , AL

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January 7, 2013 11:06 AM ET

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DH should have know this was going to happen. Kobe told DH, before he even became a Laker that he would be a 3rd option, behind Kobe and Pau in that order. So DH should not be surprised.

What DH should be doing is telling his agent to figure out how he can get traded to the Warriors, so he can get back to playing in a system that fits him.

GhosTown

Atlanta, GA

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January 7, 2013 02:18 PM ET

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The Magic got the better end of the deal...

Don Mega!

Tampa , FL

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January 7, 2013 02:51 PM ET

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If Bernie would have stayed Head Coach while the front office took there time rather than going off impulse, none of this drama would have transpired IMO. Heck, it's obvious he was a better choice than D'Antoni by a long shot; he let them play their game while focusing on IMO their only weakness...Defense.