Yeah, 22.
Kobe's average will go down this year. There's more weapons all around him, he doesn't need to score 26 - 30 a game. In fact, I don't want to see him play that much to get those points. Almost 30 points?! If Kobe is averaging that much, something is broken. Kobe hasn't had this much talent around him since he was a kid. A 22 or so point average allows everyone around him to get theirs and the team still wins at a crazy clip.
Ivanfield: He also had to carry the scoring load for the team for the first 5 without Bynum and until Pau got his head back in the game. He won't have to do that this year. I know supposedly Dwight is out when the season starts, but I'll believe that when I see it. With Nash alone, Kobe's game changes completely. Luckily for us fans, the team and himself, he doesn't have to shoulder that much of the scoring burden any more.
Sticking with somewhere around game 26 or 27.
I don't think I agree with you regarding him having to score less, IMHO.
I think he will maybe take less or around the same amount of shots as last season, but his FG% should go up with his new team. If anything, his team will make it easier for him to score, rather than always being double-triple teamed.
Look at OKC... They have a solid team as well. Durant's scoring didn't take away from Westbrook's or Harden's, etc...
