After Friday night’s loss to the Toronto Raptors, the Los Angeles Lakers fell to 2-10, the second worst record in the Western Conference.
Even though it is early in the season, the Lakers playoff hopes seem to be fading quickly and it seems as if it’s only a matter of time before the development of the team’s young players takes precedence over everything else.
Kobe Bryant recently spoke about his main responsibility being to help the team’s young players and in a one-on-one interview with James Worthy on Time Warner Cable SportsNet, Bryant delved into some specific lessons he is imparting on the young core:
It’s about tactics. Don’t get emotional about situations, speak tactically […] So if Julius and D’Angelo are having a conversation about something that took place, don’t make the conversation about ‘you need to get over here, you need to do this that or the other.'”
Rather than becoming emotional about situations, Bryant says they need to focus more on problem solving questions:
Okay you want the ball in the post. How exactly do you want the ball in the post? How can we get it to you?”
Kobe has really embraced his role as a mentor and teacher to the young Lakers. The things that he can pass down to Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell, and Jordan Clarkson will surely help speed up their development. Very few rookies get the chance to learn from someone who has done as much as Kobe.
Of course Kobe would love to win one more championship before he retires, but by helping the young core reach their full potential, he is setting up the franchise for a possible extended run at the top of the NBA. That is right where the Lakers, and their fans expect to be.
