Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 3:26 pm Post subject: Kobe Bryant studying how Paul Pierce adjusted his game as a veteran
Quote:
Kobe Bryant is looking to follow an old rival's example. Preparing to make his comeback from a knee injury, the Los Angeles Lakers star has been studying how Paul Pierce adjusted his game as his athleticism faded away. In preparing for this season, Bryant told friends that the player he is analyzing, as an example of adjusting your game as you get older, is fellow 36-year-old Paul Pierce. This is part of his goal to become “more efficient” on the court.
Said Bryant, “I'm going to max [my last two years] out too, to do whatever I can. Leave no stone unturned, no water left in the sponge.”the 36-year-old shooting guard made it clear that he knows he won't be the same player as he was before. He is doing everything he can, though, to remain as effective.
“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.”
So let's talk about Pierce, who will be 37 in October. He does not have the quickness that he used to, and he does not dunk on anybody anymore. With the Brooklyn Nets last year, he averaged 13.5 points per game on 45 percent shooting, making 38 percent of his 3-point attempts. The previous season in Boston, Pierce averaged 18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, which were just about the same numbers as he put up in the Celtics' title-winning season five years earlier.
The crafty Pierce has adapted about as well as anyone. He has an arsenal of little head-fakes and ball-fakes, and he knows how to get his shot off, even if he can't create as much space as he used to. Bryant has a similar sort of game, and we'd already seen him change his style before the knee trouble, though it's worth noting he was still surprising people with his hops two years ago.
Bryant has been taking his rehab extremely seriously, and he's going to come into next season with a point to prove. No one knows exactly what he's capable of doing, especially considering the relative lack of talent on the Lakers roster. Pierce went to Brooklyn -- and now Washington -- so he would no longer have to carry a huge load. In Los Angeles, Bryant is still going to be the No. 1 option. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.
Kobe always studies other players during off-season. He was watching film on Dirk while back. and this is old news by the way. I remember reading this somewhere last week. lol
“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.”
All Kobe needs to do is go into the post. he could easily average 27 ppg from there. _________________ "What makes you think a bartender is stupid or incapable of scouting?" ~ Rick12322
Joined: 05 May 2002 Posts: 5442 Location: High Atop The Western Conference
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 8:23 pm Post subject:
Who Takes The Blame wrote:
Kobe worked with Hakeem to learn some post moves. Im surprised Kobe doesn't use them.
Uh Kobe's best place on the floor now is the post. wtf? _________________ **Bling** Cubed LakerStats.com - Stastistical History of the Lakers Franchise
kobe needs the Dirk fadeaway more than ever now. Kobe's patented fade required so much legs and ups.(and it was already starting to be defended very well when Kobe still had bounce. - 2012 playoffs)
ah the typical kobe hater...u still hating on his contract bro?
He's saying to win or be a contender would need Wall type to be the best player so Kobe can move into 2nd best player role, possibly even 3rd best. Nothing wrong there said by yimoma.
ah the typical kobe hater...u still hating on his contract bro?
Perhaps you should put a little more thought before making an accusation.
As others rightfully picked up, Pierce has a TON of help in Wall/Beal. Pierce will nonetheless be the closer on that team since Wall/Beal haven't shown that yet. For 40 minutes Wall/Beal will bear the offensive load and when it comes to crunchtime, let Pierce do his thing.
While guys like Randle/Lin/Boozer, et. al. aren't close to Wall/Beal, I figure that's what the Lakers are trying to do. Get guys who can sop up minutes so Kobe can be the closer. There are lots of minutes to give Kobe a rest to be fresh in the 4th.
And the trite "hater" comment, why don't you read my thread about 3 things I'm looking forward to this season. Kobe is #2, unless you think that my putting him #2 is demeaning somehow. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
ah the typical kobe hater...u still hating on his contract bro?
Yinoma is no Kobe hater. I think he's underestimating Kobe now and as to his all time place, but he'd be glad to be proved wrong. _________________ “It took many years of vomiting up all the filth I’d been taught about myself, and half-believed, before I was able to walk on the earth as though I had a right to be here.”
― James Baldwin, Collected Essays
ah the typical kobe hater...u still hating on his contract bro?
Yinoma is no Kobe hater. I think he's underestimating Kobe now and as to his all time place, but he'd be glad to be proved wrong.
Not underestimating. Lowering his current baseline, which should be normal given age/injury, and Kobe's own stated "evolution" which by its very definition means he will have some modifications and changes to the way he plays. So maybe he won't be as statistically dominating but nonetheless impactful in other ways.
But I have too much respect to think he will flop. I have Kobe on my all time 10. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
this means nothing. Kobe already has the skillset to adapt to his injuries and age. it's his way of thinking that needs to change. he needs to get the mindset that him shooting over 30 times a game proves nothing other at this stage of his career. he needs to play smarter, less stubborn on his playing time, etc.
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