14 replies to this topic

[SportyIntellectual]

This is a blog from last year: 

 

http://espn.go.com/b...t-title-chances

 

With LeBron on track to go well over 3000, it looks like the streak will be broken this year.  

 

According to ESPN.com's stat database, Kobe currently leads the league in minutes played.  That's not good. 

[androsays]

Definitely not

[bigfetz]

Well when you are 8 games under .500 you can't rest your main guys

[Real Deal]

I believe Kobe is 9th in the NBA in MPG, at a little over 38 a night.

LA has played a few more games than other teams, so of course, Kobe will have logged more minutes than some of the other guys on that list.

[bfc1125roy]

I believe Kobe is 9th in the NBA in MPG, at a little over 38 a night.

LA has played a few more games than other teams, so of course, Kobe will have logged more minutes than some of the other guys on that list.

 

38 a night is still too much for Kobe, imo. Of course at this point there's not really another option, but ideally in hopes of extending his career I would have rather have him play closer to 33-35 mpg, similar to the 2010-2011 season. These past two years with the [expletive]ty coaching the team has had the Lakers have needed Kobe to bail them out every night. 

[DTIII™]

That's not good at all, this team shouldn't have to rely on him for bailout all the time.

[gque24]

Completely mitch and lil buss at fault for this

[LakerGeezer]

1st, 9th or somewhere between, its too much. 

[Majesty]

The team requires the ball in Kobe's hands more when the bench isn't in.

Pau is basically their designated starter when it comes to rest when he is on the bench.

Without that then we depend on Meeks solely to have an "on" game, if he does, Kobe gets more rest, if not then Kobe is coming back in, simple.

Even so 38 minutes isn't bad, not as bad as it could be.

Kobe actually sat out a 4th quarter a game ago.

Kobe doesn't mind playing minutes, this is not your average 34 year old. Look at what he's averaged since guaranteeing they'd make the playoffs... I don't think he minds.

Want to see the true star breaking down because his team asks so darn much? Carmelo Anthony.

[gque24]

The team requires the ball in Kobe's hands more when the bench isn't in.
Pau is basically their designated starter when it comes to rest when he is on the bench.
Without that then we depend on Meeks solely to have an "on" game, if he does, Kobe gets more rest, if not then Kobe is coming back in, simple.
Even so 38 minutes isn't bad, not as bad as it could be.
Kobe actually sat out a 4th quarter a game ago.
Kobe doesn't mind playing minutes, this is not your average 34 year old. Look at what he's averaged since guaranteeing they'd make the playoffs... I don't think he minds.
Want to see the true star breaking down because his team asks so darn much? Carmelo Anthony.

Epic failure. It dont matter how in shape kobe is. Playing him like this is same problem that led to his leg fatigued. Yr 17 far too much responsibility and it will only shorten his last few yrs left in tank.

Edited by gque24, March 05, 2013 - 03:38 PM.

[Majesty]

Having Nash and Howard on the team shorten his last few years in the tank as has his eating habits. As he said he actually had a full off season to train and get ready and didnt get injured in the pre-season.

Kobe this year is better than Kobe last year and is putting up greater numbers. Can't compare. He also gets to the basket much easier shots because of Nash and because of Howard screening inside for him.

He doesn't have to expect as much energy either as last year.

So yeah. He'll be fine.

[LakerGeezer]

. He'll be fine.

Risk of injury increases substantially at his age mileage,  notwithstandingr what he is eating.  It's just too many minutes during the regular season at this point in his career.

[bfc1125roy]

Having Nash and Howard on the team shorten his last few years in the tank as has his eating habits. As he said he actually had a full off season to train and get ready and didnt get injured in the pre-season.

Kobe this year is better than Kobe last year and is putting up greater numbers. Can't compare. He also gets to the basket much easier shots because of Nash and because of Howard screening inside for him.

He doesn't have to expect as much energy either as last year.

So yeah. He'll be fine.

 

He was playing well at the start of last year and started to wear down when we really needed him. The rest did him some good but playing 38 mpg at 34 years of age is a bit too much. Coaches like Phil and Pop are smart because they know how to manage minutes for veteran players, but Kobe having to drop 30 a night or average 14 assists is too much for him to sustain and for the Lakers to be able to seriously compete for a ring. 

[fozi]

We'll pay when we get to the playoffs, but yeah we put ourselves in a position where every game is a must win game. In order to do that Kobe's minutes has to go up. We have to play him, its not a choice, its a must. Unless Meeks plays like a superstar, thats something else.

 

 

I remember last year in the playoffs where kobe played with high energy in the first two games against Denver and cooled off after that. He got sick in game 5 if i'm not mistaken but still he cooled off. He hadn't played in such stressed situation like this season. But lets hope the preseason was good enough for him to play till the end of the year with consistency as he's doing till now.

 

 

Kobe will push through it. And since playoffs is not guaranteed he has to put his 100% till the playoffs. He has no choice to rest. Kobe will figure out how to be in a top shape then ,which i doubt to be honest..

[djcovi]

Title should be changed, he is in fact 9th in the league in minutes.

The point remains though. Look at the ages of the guys who are top 25 in the league in minutes. I bet not more than one is over 30, let alone 34.