Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant Is The Underdog

We’re down to what’s looking like Kobe Bryant’s last two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. Playing in 1,465 total games (playoffs and regular season), scoring 31,700 points, and capturing five NBA titles sum up a legendary career. What lies ahead for Bryant?

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The Black Mamba is trying to get through an entire season, which he has not done in nearly a year. Usually we are discussing the prospects of a championship, but the ultra-competitive Western Conference will likely have the Lakers on the outside of the playoff race. The least to expect of Kobe are indications that he’s recovered from a torn Achilles and fractured knee.

Fans want to believe, but they must proceed with caution.

Even Bryant knows that he is facing an uphill battle, and there may be some adjustments to make to his game. In his last season, Bryant showed flashes of athleticism and supreme skill that has had his peers herald him as the league’s best shooting guard. Bryant spoke with Sports Illustrated’s Chris Ballard in August:

"“There are certain things that my body can’t do that I used to be able to do,” Bryant admits. “And you have to be able to deal with those. First you have to be able to figure out what those are. Last year when I came back, I was trying to figure out what changed. And that’s a very hard conversation to have.” Bryant pauses. “So when I hear the pundits and people talk, saying, ‘Well, he won’t be what he was.’ Know what? You’re right! I won’t be. But just because something evolves, it doesn’t make it any less better than it was before.”“I’ll be sharper,” he says. “Much sharper. Much more efficient in areas. I’ll be limited in terms of what you see me do, versus a couple years ago. But very, very methodical, very, very purposeful."

The optimism that comes with Bryant’s return is the time he’s had off from the game. It provided him adequate recovery and rest. With the responsibility of leading a young team, the organization can only hope that he’s also gained patience. This season might just be the toughest task since he was backed by Smush Parker and Kwame Brown during the 2005-2006.

Some would point to that season, and several after, as a rebirth for Bryant. He showed a penchant to score in previous years (Nine consecutive games of 40 or more points in 2002-03), and was fully capable of carrying a roster to the playoffs against all odds. Bryant’s one-man domination was evident in the 2006 NBA Playoffs, where the Lakers nearly eliminated the second-seeded Phoenix Suns.

It took Phoenix all seven games to fend off the Lakers.

Quite similar to that season, Bryant is the underdog. The roster has its holes, but it does have some workable pieces. The biggest difference is Bryant at age 36 in comparison to his prime of 25 years of age. The legs and natural athleticism may not be there to provide those explosive 40-point nights we have witnessed.

Bryant will have to be the ultimate facilitator, and hope for the best from head coach Byron Scott. Can he place Bryant and company in a position to succeed?

Time will tell, and at the end of the day, Los Angeles goes as Bryant does.

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