Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Christmas: A Gift For Every Team’s Wish List

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view as an official Spalding basketball goes through the hoop and net during the Phoenix Suns game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view as an official Spalding basketball goes through the hoop and net during the Phoenix Suns game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) and guard Louis Williams (23) talk in the first half of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Lakers

This Holly Jolly Kobe

Who the hell is this new Kobe Bryant we’ve seen over the last few weeks? After looking like the bane of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise thanks to his poor shooting and his refusal to accept the inevitability of his mortality, Kobe had been shooting his team out of games and stunting the development of the younger players in the process.

But once the Black Mamba announced his retirement, everything changed. Byron Scott may be as questionable a leader as ever, but Kobe has finally embraced the mentorship role that comes with accepting this as the end. And funnily enough, it’s led to the most efficient play of his final season.

Over the last 12 games, Mamba is averaging 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game on 40 percent shooting. He’s dropped 31 points in a win over the Washington Wizards and then another 31 in a win over the Denver Nuggets. With this being Kobe’s last season, every vintage performance he turns in the rest of the way is the greatest gift any Lakers fan could ask for.

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