Kobe is still a great offensive player. But once upon a time he was also a great defender (2 blocks on LBJ in the All Star game), now he misses way to many assignments and is sometimes a 1/2 step to slow. Kobe needs to place his efforts more on defense, the offense will take care of it's self with a line up of Artest, Nash, Clark, Jamison and Meeks.
Even if Phil took over I can only see the Lakers barely making the 8th and final spot of the playoffs. And even if they do make they will be done in round 1. The problem starts with Howard and what motivates him. The Laker veterans are not about to babysit a man-child.
You know what Kobe and Artest gives to the team and you can't expect Nash to orchestrate the offense if you have Kobe disrupting his flow, so Nash becomes a spot up shooter. This Lakers season is embarrassing for the league.
It was good to see the Lakers play well and win against a top tier team like the Thunder. Bryant finally has found his role just as MJ did. Nash is becoming a shooter much like Steve Kerr, Artest the next Pippen, and Gasol-Howard turning into the Luc Longley - what a beast! Still the Lakers need to improve their playoff position and avoid playing the Thunder in the first round, let's go Lakers!
Trade Dwight Howard for Kevin Love. Next season the Lakers win another championship.
You know what Kobe and Artest gives to the team and you can't expect Nash to orchestrate the offense if you have Kobe disrupting his flow, so Nash becomes a spot up shooter. This Lakers season is embarrassing for the league.