Yep, the window is unfortunately dwindling and his mindset is taking a toll
We get it, Kobe Bryant is on the tail (very tail end) of his career, Lakers taking losses out the wazoo and the hope for Kobe Bryant going out in a blaze of glory is far from emphatic. But, when you have an all-time great like Kobe expressing problems very candidly and not showing an ounce of his killer edge can be a bit disheartening, even for the greatest Kobe fan. According to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, Kobe expressed:
“I’m not really worried about it, honestly,” Bryant said. “My shooting will be better. I could’ve scored 80 tonight. It wouldn’t have made a damn difference. We just have bigger problems. I could be out there averaging 35 points a game. We’d be what, 3-11? We’ve got to figure out how to play systematically in a position that’s going to keep us in ballgames.”
“In all honesty, it was tough, the shots that I take, pullup shots and jumpers and contested jumpers — those are tough shots to hit at 27,” Bryant said. “It’s very tough to hit at 37. I’ve got to do a better job of demanding some help off the ball, get some easier chances — pin-downs, picks, catch-and-shoots, things of that nature. Tonight was just very frustrating. It kind of got the better of me.”
Now Kobe does have a point, his shooting was deplorable and was one of the worst shooting nights he’s ever had in his career at 1-of-14 from the field, but to some regard, the team is still young. Relatively young. A collective unit in Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle make up the realistic dreams of championship pursuits down the line, but right now it’s a nightmare. Hopefully, this can turn around and Kobe can in fact go out like the true champion he is, but it will take time.
