[Ratzz]

Tonight vs. Indiana (26-7) at home before game.

Their worst scoring Quarter was the only one that Kobe played in.

Team Assists are the most overlooked Stat in basketball.

Versus ostensibly the NBA's top defensive squad in their own building.
The REAL Lakers, had 5 players scored high double figures.*as well added an astounding 27 assists.
(27 Assists on 99 pts. is no-lose basketball)

27 Assists: means that there is a ton of ball movement, which translates to*
"difficult to double anyone" and "impossible to defend"
because no one knows who's getting the ball, because every time down, it's somebody different.

In Atlanta*(Kobe-Show) the Lakers had only 17 Assists on 92 pts.*(.184 Assists per Point.)
In the Indiana game the Lakers had 27 assists on 99 pts.*(.272*Assists per Point.)
The closer to .300 that figure is, the better.

27 assists leads to balanced scoring... and wins. Not just for the Lakers, for every team.

If anyone does not believe this: pick up a newspaper*on a day following a full schedule.
Note that the team with the most Assists wins 9 out of 10 games,
and note that the one exception is only off by 1 or 2 Assists, never 5 or more

When you do so, do not allow your mind to drift and think
"well, d-Uh.. of course there are more assists, they scored more points."

That is a common mistake, the points came from the pass. Thus, making it an 'Assist'.
but the pass*is what that created the open-shot. The pass came first.
Points belong to assists. Not the other way around.

In the Atlanta game Kobe missed 22 shots all by himself. On half of those possessions,
nobody touched the ball but Kobe. On the other half, Kobe shot after receiving the first pass.
He*scores but does not move the ball around to his teammates as he should.


Passing the ball, and exceptional ball-movement kills your opponent in two different ways;

1) creates open shots due to a spread defense.

2) wears down opponents as the game progresses.
It requires far more more energy to run and cover a pass,
than it does to simply pass the ball. The passed ball expends
far more energy for the defense....

defensively rested Atlanta allowed only 18 Laker pts. in the 4th Qtr.
a defensively tired*Indiana allowed 31 Laker pts. in the 4th Qtr. (almost double)

Balanced vs. Unbalanced scoring (created by Ball Movement/Assists)

vs ATL KoBE-BALL •• Kobe had 31, Artest with 20, and Howard 10, Nash 11
(example of low Assist unbalanced scoring)

vs IND. Laker-Ball ••*Howard-20, Blake-18, Jamison-17, Nash-15, Artest-19
(excellent example of high-Assist, well balanced scoring)

Crux of the problem: Kobe wants his cake and he eats it too.
so he gets his pts. everybody else kind of starves.. and the Lakers lose more.*

the first half of the season was sub .500 Kobe-Show problem.
not the injuries.

Lakers have PLENTY of talent. Plenty*

Lakers @ Atlanta
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2013031301

Lakers @ Indiana
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2013031511

[vinny808]

Here's the NBA's statement regarding the Kobe Bryant-Dahntay Jones no call ...

"With 4.9 seconds remaining in the Atlanta Hawks' 96-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on March 13, the Lakers' Kobe Bryant attempted a jump shot over the Hawks' Dahntay Jones. After review at the league office, video replay confirmed that referees missed a foul call on Jones as he challenged Bryant's shot and did not give him the opportunity to land cleanly back on the floor. Bryant should have been granted two free throws."


Suck on that Rat!

[Ratzz]

*Suck on that Rat!

read the post, there is something in there for you

[Sport_Fish]

Yes these guys played better without Kobe...but you honestly think they could sustain this level of play in a series or two? or more? Hell no. I think Indiana is over-rated anyway, and on top of that, the West teams they'll face in the playoffs are all powerhouses with much better offense than Indiana, they'll need Kobe's scoring.

This was just a simple example of star player being out and everyone stepping up...happens with every team but its just a temporary thing. Can't depend on it long-term, esp in a playoff series.

[Git Lo]

I didn't read your post but I agree. They started playing exactly how I thought they would without Kobe, pick and roll, ball movement and shoot 3's. Howard played tonight like how he would play in Orlando. It could also have something to do with Kobe not getting back on D when he would drive the ball and the other team would ignite the fast break, I didn't see that as much when they played the Pacers. This is going to be so interesting how this plays out.

[Goat Milk]

You have no clue what it takes to win in the playoffs. Take Bryant off the Lakers. They would get swept easily by any team. Playoffs is a different game. Understand the game before you speak.

[tullamore21]

I didn't read your post but I agree. They started playing exactly how I thought they would without Kobe, pick and roll, ball movement and shoot 3's. Howard played tonight like how he would play in Orlando. It could also have something to do with Kobe not getting back on D when he would drive the ball and the other team would ignite the fast break, I didn't see that as much when they played the Pacers. This is going to be so interesting how this plays out.

Yeah ok. And that's why Blake hit 5-6 threes this day... Was Kobe the problem, that Blake was underperforming so far?

Come on now... The Lakers were great at this game, but they hit too many threes. That huge performance was matter of luck too.
They can defend with Kobe on the court effectively and Kobe can feed Howard better than any Laker at the moment. And as GOAT said, the playoffs are totaly different situation.

[Ratzz]

You have no clue what it takes to win in the playoffs. Take Bryant off the Lakers. They would get swept easily by any team. Playoffs is a different game. Understand the game before you speak.

really, Goat.

you are the one that does not understand. Your predictions are so far off, it's ridiculous.
you like your Kobes and Bradys (both finished)

and you see nothing else. Lakers have potential, if they are ALL allowed to play.
When Kobe plays, they only play as much as he allows them.

Which really is not much. Which is why they are not much.
why their record is not much.

is all this starting to make sense.*

[Ratzz]

Yeah ok. And that's why Blake hit 5-6 threes this day... Was Kobe the problem, that Blake was underperforming so far?

Come on now... The Lakers were great at this game, but they hit too many threes. That huge performance was matter of luck too.
They can defend with Kobe on the court effectively and Kobe can feed Howard better than any Laker at the moment. And as GOAT said, the playoffs are totaly different situation.

Blake and just about every other NBA player hits those when a guy is not right in his face.. plus..
he is warmed up, and knows he os going to get touches.

Ball passing created those open shots that Blake made,
ball-passing that does not exist with Kobe in the game.

[tullamore21]

Blake and just about every other NBA player hits those when a guy is not right in his face.. plus..
he is warmed up, and knows he os going to get touches.

Ball passing created those open shots that Blake made,
ball-passing that does not exist with Kobe in the game.

There are plenty of open shots for the Lakers even with Kobe on the court. That's exactly what you don't understand.
And you have to think of something more.
What would you prefer? A contested shot by Bryant or an open shot by Blake?
History has shown that the first choise is the wise one.

Good luck with your analysis.

[Ratzz]

Lakers HIGHEST scoring game: 122 pts. WIN vs Denver
http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400277952

Kobe 14 pts. Team Assists 33, (.270 Assists per Point)*


Lakers LOWEST*scoring game: 77*pts.*LOSS*vs Indiana
http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400277928

Kobe 40 pts.*Team Assists 13, (.168 Assists per Point)*

the facts speak for themselves. Passing and ball movement, creates balanced scoring
and dominance, if practiced regularly.

Just look at San Antonio. Perfect example. No.1 in West.
NOBODY dominates 40% of the shots and 35% of the scoring

[Ratzz]

There are plenty of open shots for the Lakers even with Kobe on the court. That's exactly what you don't understand.
And you have to think of something more.
What would you prefer? A contested shot by Bryant or an open shot by Blake?
History has shown that the first choise is the wise one.

Good luck with your analysis.

open shot by Blake.

Reasons:
1) contested shots by superstars make highlight reels.
2) open shots by bench players usually wins games.

[Ratzz]

*the facts speak for themselves. Passing and ball movement, creates balanced scoring
and dominance, if practiced regularly.

Just look at San Antonio. Perfect example. No.1 in West.
NOBODY dominates 40% of the shots and 35% of the scoring

San Antonio 105, OKC 93:
http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400278664
Six players in double figures, 25 Assists on 105 Pts. (.238)

[tullamore21]

Lakers HIGHEST scoring game: 122 pts. WIN vs Denver
http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400277952

Kobe 14 pts. Team Assists 33, (.270 Assists per Point)*


Lakers LOWEST*scoring game: 77*pts.*LOSS*vs Indiana
http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400277928

Kobe 40 pts.*Team Assists 13, (.168 Assists per Point)*

the facts speak for themselves. Passing and ball movement, creates balanced scoring
and dominance, if practiced regularly.

Just look at San Antonio. Perfect example. No.1 in West.
NOBODY dominates 40% of the shots and 35% of the scoring

That's not a fact.
It is the obvious, that you take it and call it "fact".

you dislike Bryant, i am ok with that. But stop flattening everything.

[El Sol]

Your preoccupation with Kobe is disturbing. I've read dozen of cases over the years about stalkers sneaking into stars homes and such and this seems like the early signs of an obsession. Kobe is just a basketball player and an entertainer, nothing more. You don't know him. You have never met him. Your perception of him is only what the media has spoon fed you. I highly recommend you get some sort of therapy or take some medication before you do something stupid.

[Tomasaurus]

The thing is with Todays game vs the Pacers the Lakers ran way above EV so to speak in terms of shooting % going 13-26 from 3 vs the Atlanta game where the Lakers shot 8-29.
Granted Kobe went 2-8 in that game however in Todays game if you look at who made the majority of 3's and compare that to the previous game its quiet telling how "lucky" the lakers were today in terms of shooting.... the triumphant of Metta World, Blake and Jamison went a combined 11-19 today however vs the Hawks those same 3 went 5-15.

Essentially there is no way the Lakers role players could sustain this level of shooting efficiency in the long term and need Kobe to drive the offence if they have a chance in the playoffs.
Oh and btw Kobe averages 5.8 assists a game 2nd in the NBA among shooting guards

[Tomasaurus]

Lakers HIGHEST scoring game: 122 pts. WIN vs Denver
http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400277952

Kobe 14 pts. Team Assists 33, (.270 Assists per Point)*


Lakers LOWEST*scoring game: 77*pts.*LOSS*vs Indiana
http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400277928

Kobe 40 pts.*Team Assists 13, (.168 Assists per Point)*

the facts speak for themselves. Passing and ball movement, creates balanced scoring
and dominance, if practiced regularly.

Just look at San Antonio. Perfect example. No.1 in West.
NOBODY dominates 40% of the shots and 35% of the scoring

That Indiana game is a horrible example, did you even look at the box score?

EXCLUDING Kobe the Lakers went 1-17 from 3, 12-48 from the field and 12-30 from the free throw line. If it wasn't for Kobe the Lakers might have only scored 50 points in that game. To get an assist the guy you passing to has to get the ball in, and when your teammates go 5% from 3 and 25% from the field without you its hard to rack up the assists

[abzflabz]

maybe shooting 50% from 3 won them the game Artest Blake and Jamison making shots? Indiana's worst scoring qtr was also the one kobe played in, does that make him their best defender?

[vinny808]

read the post, there is something in there for you

No thanks. Not statistically significant and concerns of internal validity.

[PS3]

Your preoccupation with Kobe is disturbing. I've read dozen of cases over the years about stalkers sneaking into stars homes and such and this seems like the early signs of an obsession. Kobe is just a basketball player and an entertainer, nothing more. You don't know him. You have never met him. Your perception of him is only what the media has spoon fed you. I highly recommend you get some sort of therapy or take some medication before you do something stupid.

That's how Ratzz roll. Bash kobe when he is underperforming and hide when he performs well.

[Ratzz]

No thanks. Not statistically significant and concerns of internal validity.

lol.. this is a valiant, though vapid attempt at expressing oneself in higher English.
i will give this a C+

[Ratzz]

That's how Ratzz roll. Bash kobe when he is underperforming and hide when he performs well.

I suppose i do to Kobe what Kobe does to Howard. Good. Somebody has to.

[jsmithj88]

The best teams in the league all share the ball. Look at the Miami and the spurs. They pass the ball. Most people don't even know who starts for the spurs because it doesn't really matter. They all contribute due to ball movement.

[Ratzz]

I highly recommend you get some sort of therapy or take some medication before you do something stupid.

lol.. like what.. post a 'meaningless thread' in a 'meaningless forum'?

[Tomasaurus]

lol.. this is a valiant, though vapid attempt at expressing oneself in higher English.
i will give this a C+

The thing is though that it is NOT statistically significant, a sample size of 2 or 3 games isn't enough to declare that a team is better off without one of the best players of all time playing. If its just your opinion then cool think what you want but don't try to pass this off as any more than that

[vinny808]

lol.. this is a valiant, though vapid attempt at expressing oneself in higher English.
i will give this a C+

LOL, red herring fallacy. My doctorate education is more education you will ever receive. Nice try.

[Ratzz]

LOL, red herring fallacy. My doctorate education is more education you will ever receive. Nice try.

lol.. your father wasted his money.. it does not show.

[vinny808]

Yup. What a waste only making six figures.

[vinny808]

lol.. your father wasted his money.. it does not show.

Yup, what a waste, only making six figures. While youre stuck on your engrish degree..making nothing.

lol.. this is a valiant, though vapid attempt at expressing oneself in higher English.
i will give this a C+

You know, instead of trying to insult me, I would actually think you were some what educated if you addressed statistical significance and internal validity issues. Changing the subject just shows you have no idea what I am talking about.

[Ratzz]

I would actually think you were some what educated if you addressed statistical significance and internal validity issues. Changing the subject just shows you have no idea what I am talking about.

what can i honestly do outside of point to boxscores that i believe illustrate my point adequately?
i suppose that i could go through the entire season and demonstrate with graphs and pies..
'how the Lakers perform when Kobe scores over 30', or "takes more than 25 shots".. but what would be the point?
better to just show the extreme examples (boxscores) and let the facts represent my case.

A Laker Kobe-fanatic will always consider these points to be an example of External Validity..
even if it the facts pointed another conclusion.
the best that i can hope for in this case is for Kobe to out 1 or 2 more games,
and for the passing/scoring/winning to continue unabated for the Lakers.

A larger study would be deemed hypothetical (at best) for the fence-sitter..
and pure heresy by KB24 nut-hugger.

[mminkovski]

Kobe has 5 rings, he only needs a good coach (which he doesn't have now)

[jsmithj88]

Kobe has 5 rings, he only needs a good coach (which he doesn't have now)

hasnt won anything without phil jackson

[upscope]

Rat boy being exposed for the strait UP clueless sewer system that he is. Took people long enough to realize your lack of knowledge for the game Rat. Guess u went to the well one too many times w/ your flooded w/ ignorance Kobe hate posts. Should have quit while u where ahead. Now even fellow Kobe haters clowning you.

Classic stuff pal~

[upscope]

Atl loses three in a row & six of seven w/ Josh Smith in the line-UP then win vs the Lakers while Smith sits.
Obviously, Atl a better team w/o Smith based on this one game sample size. FACT!!

[upscope]

April 13th 2011, Miami Heat defeat Toronto Raptors 97-79.
LeBron James, Dwayne Wade & Chris Bosh all get DNP'ed.
Based on this fact, it's obvious the Heat are a better team w/o LeBron/Wade/Bosh. Just imagine how good the Heat could be if the front office could figure this out & spend their combined 52m in salary appropriately