By now, NBA fans know Kobe Bryant is a little shot-happy this season and leads the league in scoring. If you examine the situation of the Los Angeles Lakers, you’ll quickly understand why.
Let’s break a myth: The Lakers are struggling on offense not because Bryant is gunning the ball, but it’s actually the other way around.
Never before has Bryant played on a team this offensively challenged. Despite being a defensive-minded team this season under new coach Mike Brown, the Lakers are ranked 22nd in points per game at 92.4, on track to be their lowest average since 1954.
With the exception of minutes and field goal attempts, Pau Gasol experienced several career-lows across his season stat lines. Sure, Andrew Bynum has arguably become the second-best center in the NBA this year, but teams are quickly finding out they can silence him by double-teaming him.
The team ranks last in 3-point field goal percentage in the league. On top of that, Metta World Peace is shooting at a horrific 16.3 percent from the line with 43 attempts in 20 games.
Oh, and the Lakers are 5-1 (11-9 overall) when Bryant goes off for 35 points or more.
Still want Bryant to limit his shots?
Click here to subscribe to the daily State Press newsletter.
