Topic: We wonder if you believe Kobe Bryant will continue his recent style of play or revert back to his early-season ways.
Context: After sitting out three games due to fatigue, Kobe Bryant has returned playing a completely different style than he had been earlier in the season.
In his three games back, Kobe is averaging around 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Just as important, Bryant has taken only 35 shots total in these games. As such, his efficiency has risen and the team as a whole has played better.
Though the Lakers have lost two of the three games, both losses were tightly contested games against top Western Conference teams in which the Lakers had a chance to win in the fourth quarter.
However, Kobe has had stretches like this in the past where he has spread the ball around for a few games only to go back into scoring mode. Whether or not this will be different is up for interpretation.
Kobe has said himself that he is and always has been a scorer first. It’s his best skill and he’s not a natural passer. This season, Kobe has spoken differently, however, saying that his body can’t handle that type of load anymore.
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Verdict: We went to Twitter to ask the loyal Lakers Nation followers if they believe Kobe Bryant will continue his recent style of play, or revert back to his old ways. These are some of the responses:
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation I fear he will likely revert. It's up to coach to ensure he doesn't but this coach gives such free reins #LNdebate
— Oshomha (@heyshomy) January 3, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation #LNDebate He will continue to evolve. Most don't realize how smart he is. He's also the best student of the game
— JelloJigglin (@alohagrafix) January 3, 2015
@LakersNation #lndebate Kb24 is starting to get his role as facilitator. But no changes by the deadline and his old ways will resurface
— Xavier Davis (@xdavis24) January 3, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation #LNDebate I think his new role as a facilitator is here to stay,fewer field goal attempts more assists &rebs!
— oladapo adu (@dapsay_adu) January 3, 2015
@TheeCoreyH I'd like to see it stay but I don't believe it will. He went through a similar stretch two years ago, didn't last long #LNdebate
— Ian McCabe (@Stinkinbishop) January 3, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation As soon as it's stops working which it will he'll go back to team killing mode again. The roster isn't that good.
— E.U. (@EUfrom412) January 3, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation I think he is being too generous. I hope he will get back to a more scoring focused happy medium #LNDebate
— Lisa Swartz (@ls1228) January 3, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation it all depends on his teammates. If they perform he won't need to. If not. Well expect kb to revert. #LNDebate
— Jordan Hughes (@Johughes024) January 3, 2015
Lakers Nation was very split on this subject as many believe Kobe will eventually go back to his over-shooting, while others say Kobe will keep up his recent play. One thing that does seem to be agreed upon, however, is that this is the way Kobe should play at this point in his career.
I believe Kobe’s early-season struggles, as well as watching the Lakers from the sidelines, opened his eyes to what can really help the rest of the team. It seems like Kobe has realized that he can’t explode by or elevate over defenders regularly anymore.
There will still be times when Kobe starts shooting a little too much, but he is Kobe Bryant and that is what he does. This season, I think those times will be few and far between.
Kobe is smart and realizes what needs to happen for this team to be successful. While he has shown flashes before, I tend to believe that this time, facilitator Kobe will stick around much longer.
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