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Los Angeles Lakers: Bright Spots in a Dark Season

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 12, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Kobe Bryant

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 36

Experience: 19 Seasons

Season Averages: 20.90 PER, 35.0 MPG, 27.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.8 SPG, 2.0 3PM

Entering the 2014-15 NBA regular season, the idea was that the Los Angeles Lakers will go as far as Kobe Bryant can carry them. It’s becoming clear that the Lakers will go as far as the supporting cast enables him to lead them.

The wins have been tough to come by thus far, but Bryant has done the medically impossible: at 36 years old, he’s returned from a torn Achilles tendon and a fractured knee to lead the league in scoring.

Whether or not he maintains this pace, Bryant has proven unequivocally that he can still score at an elite level.

Bryant is currently averaging 27.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.0 3-point field goals per game. He’s shooting below 40.0 percent from the field, but a majority of his misses come late in games when he’s spoon-fed forced field goal attempts.

Bryant’s efficiency—or lack thereof—is more a product of a supporting cast without scoring depth. Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin have provided a quality impact, but consistency has been an issue offensively.

Bryant must be a more willing facilitator to get his teammates involved, but you can’t fault Bryant for scoring when his team needs him to do it.

Regardless of what transpires throughout the remainder of the season, Bryant has been a bright spot with his return to explosive scoring.

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