Kobe Bryant has never met a shot he didn't like. That's not the Lakers problem; it's that coach Byron Scott doesn't mind them, either.
The Black Mamba is shooting 33.1 percent from the floor in 2015-16 and 20 percent from 3-point land during the Lakers' 2-11 start to the season, which is one game worse than last season's start that turned out to be the worst season in franchise history.
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With a team of young players like Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle, it's the 37-year-old veteran leading the team at 16.6 shots per game.
Reporters noted that Bryant came out firing during the Lakers 107-93 loss to the Trail Blazers on Sunday and asked Scott if Kobe's mentality instilled a tone of one-on-one play throughout the team on offense.
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Scott, who will defend Bryant to his death, gave a customary curious answer, partially explaining why the Lakers are in the predicament they're in, lakersnation.com reported.
"It could," Scott said of Bryant's offensive aggression and any affect on the team, "but first of all, he's had 20 years of experience in this league. We might not have six players that have 20 years in this league combined. He has that privilege, basically.
"From a coaching standpoint, I want Kobe to be Kobe. Other guys haven't earned that right, yet. We're going to keep talking about that on the offensive end as far as moving the ball, moving our bodies and sharing the ball and being a little bit more unselfish as a basketball team, cuz I don't think we're doing it maliciously. I think guys want to win and want to do the right things, but they just don't know how to go about it."
Bryant does, which is all the more reason why he should be deferring. He is on record as saying he is committed to developing the young players, now has enough games under his belt the last three years -- despite all his injuries -- to know that he no longer can will Los Angeles to victory.
The only way for the Lakers to have hope of getting better this season is to put the young player to the fire to see what they're made of.
Kobe taking shots and Scott letting Kobe take shots isn't the answer.
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