Kobe Bryant: Twisted Ankle a Blessing in Disguise for Steve Nash & Co.
In case you didn’t know (which I highly doubt), Kobe Bryant went down after a nasty looking ankle sprain, in the loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. And with the MVP candidate out, for God knows how long, all postseason hope is seemingly lost in the eyes of many. Especially considering the team was already down a key man, with Pau Gasol out of the fray.
I actually think it’s a good thing for the former kings of LA.
Think about it–the Lakers boast a two-time MVP in point guard Steve Nash and the best big man in the game.
Even though he has been a bit iffy this season, Dwight Howard was the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year just two seasons ago and he is still one of the most physically imposing figures in league.
Granted both haven’t been their stellar selves this season, but by no means have they lost it. Case in point: Howard’s 12.4 rebounds per game lead the league and he’s also fifth-best in the NBA with 2.74 blocks a game. Terrible, right?
Feb 24, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) talks with center Dwight Howard (12) in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Lakers beat the Mavs 103-99. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Nash’s numbers are down this season. Not since the 1999-00 season when he was back in Dallas have his numbers been this bad. But that’s only because he has been hampered by injuries and he hasn’t had the ball in his hands as much as he did in Phoenix.
This is where Bryant’s injury being a blessing comes into play.
Nash knew from the get-go that he was now performing alongside players who need the ball and have always received it. That wouldn’t have been much of a problem; the Canadian magician is as unselfish as any player to grace the game. Besides, he’s more than willing to make sacrifices and give up a scoring role, in order to win that elusive championship ring.
However, with Bryant used to being the man in LA (and the NBA), he tends to monopolize the ball. Also partly because he’s never played alongside an elite point guard, he’s never really allowed Nash to take the reins and run the offense as he did for the Suns.
Don’t get me wrong, Kobe has been passing the ball recently, producing 18 games of eight or more assists this season and recording at least 11 assists in seven of those games. But he’s a scorer. And as such, it’s in his nature to shoot the ball. A point is illustrated by his average of nearly 21 shots a game, second only to Carmelo Anthony in the league.
This wouldn’t be so bad if he wasn’t being used in 32 percent of the possessions. That compares to only 17 percent for the would-be facilitator Steve Nash, who pretty much becomes a passenger.
Oct 6, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) gestures after making a three pointer during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Valley View Casino Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Nash may have a sweet stroke from pretty much all over the court, but his passing talents are wasted in such situations. After all, there’s a reason he is considered one the most creative and lethal offensive players in the history of basketball. He isn’t fourth all-time in career assists for nothing.
In addition to this, despite posting his usual solid stats defensively, Howard has struggled mightily on offensive end. His scoring average is down from last season’s 20.6 ppg to 16.4 ppg, a figure which can be helped by Nash’s passing expertise.
Think back to the days in Phoenix when Nash and Amare Stoudemire were the NBA’s most feared pick-and-roll combo. The defense did all it could to deny that return pass which everyone knew was coming. However the calm, cool head and precise touch of Steve Nash always found a way to get that basketball back into the hands of Stoudemire. This resulted in some jaw-dropping passes and thunderous dunks, leaving the whole arena in lost for words.
Need I say more?
Well, why not have that with Howard? After all, he is bigger, stronger and more athletic than Stoudemire. Who knows? They might even give Lob City some competition.
Besides, a great passing point guard can make a world of difference. Just look at Chris Paul and all that he has done for DeAndre Jordan’s scoring figures and with Tyson Chandler before that.
All this is now a possibility for Steve Nash and Dwight Howard with Kobe Bryant out of the picture. This gives the Lakers a chance to continue their postseason hopes.