Fatigue taking its toll on Los Angeles Lakers super star Kobe Bryant – NBA Update
It has only been a tad above three months since the start of the season, but with such a jam packed schedule, the effects have started to become visible in the form of a number of injuries and fatigue.
The fatigue has taken its toll on even the best of the players and it is no wonder that Los Angeles Lakers talisman Kobe Bryant looked jaded after playing back to back games, the last one against the New Orleans Hornets.
Black Mamba’s offense completely melted down on March 31 in the game against the Hornets. He couldn’t find his shooting touch and set a new record of shooting frailty by missing all first 15 of his shots from the field. Although he managed 3 of the next 6, including the game winning shot at the death but it was difficult to overlook his shooting.
Lakers edged out Hornets, 88-85 in that game, but the Laker’s captain tallied only11 points to go with 5 assists. Kobe himself admitted afterwards that fatigue was the reason behind poor shooting night.
“Fatigue might have something to do with it,” Bryant said. “But I had good shots in the rhythm of the offense and so forth.”
After averaging 38.5 minutes per game, the most minutes by any player in the league this season, and carrying the team on his back at the age of 33, it is natural for Kobe to wear out. He is leading the league in scoring and on April 1st, he dropped 40 against Golden State Warriors. It was the 5th time in this season when he netted at least 40 points and that is a testament of his class.
But, inconsistency and Kobe are two words completely opposite of each other, and with such a crammed up schedule, the LA All Star has started to falter. Kobe started the season with a torn tendon and led his team in every single game. However, with time, the workload started to show signs. Bryant was shooting 45.5% from the field in the 1st two months of this shortened season; in February, it dwindled to 40.2% and now over the span of 30 games he is struggling with 38.7 percent.
With the post season rapidly approaching, the Lakers management has to ensure that the 33 year old gets enough rest. But, that doesn’t mean pulling him off the court during the most crucial moments; as Mike Brown did in the match against Memphis Grizzlies last week, a move that didn’t go down well with the LAL henchman.
The last thing which Lakers need is a ruffled up lead scorer and Brown and Co. Have to be mindful of that. A wrong move with Kobe can mean doom for the Lakers.
Bryant has a career shooting rate of 45.3% but he is averaging just 42.4% in this season, the lowest since his rookie year. However, Kobe seems confident that he will get back to business soon.
“The schedule is a little crazy. But, I'm fine. It's going to be OK. I'm going to figure it out. I always have." He said.
With 33 wins and 20 loses, playoff position is a done deal for Lakers as they are sitting on the 3rd spot in Western Conference. If they want to keep shape in the post season then Mike Brown has to find ways of giving Kobe some rest and maintain the winning formula at the same time.
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