Kobe Bryant looking to get a step ahead with the Lakers new offensive system – NBA News
The Los Angeles Lakers have made it known very well that they will be playing the Princeton offence next season, even though they have added Dwight Howard to the roster since making that decision.
Lakers going for the Princeton set has Kobe Bryant excited about the prospects that it holds for the team next season. Bryant was said to be one of the biggest supporters of the system, and is looking to get an early start on the play for next season.
Lakers.com and Lakers broadcast reporter Mike Trudell tweeted on Monday that Bryant had met with Head Coach Mike Brown and Assistant Coach Eddie Jordan to discuss the Princeton offence, and seemed to be picking it really well.
“Kobe Bryant has already had a few meetings w/Brown & Jordan about the Princeton. Jordan said he’d literally already picked it up in advance,” tweeted Trudell.
Eddie Jordan is the offensive guru from Princeton, so rest assured that he will be having a lot of discussions with Bryant regarding the new offence next season. Bryant is excited about the new play because it does not have any set plays and reacts on the defence.
There is no doubting Bryant’s basketball IQ or his ability to understand the new strategy. However, the question that begs to be asked is with Steve Nash in the roster for next season, will he control the play making for the Lakers or will the offence still continue to run through Bryant.
Last season, we saw Bryant taking most of the shots, particularly in the closing minutes of the game, which made it very easy and predictable for opposing team to stop the Lakers. The Oklahoma City Thunder did a great job of closing games in the Western conference Semi finals against the Lakers because they kept pressure on Bryant and were able to predict the Lakers offence.
This coming season, Bryant will have Nash by his side, plus scoring options in Dwight Howard as well as Pau Gasol. It will be interesting to see how he adapts his game to the new roster, and if he is comfortable in trusting his new teammates, particularly in the final minutes.
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