Kobe Bryant might be changing positions, and it's a smart move
A smart adjustment could be coming for the Lakers great, one that could make him more efficient and save his body.
By
Matt Moore
•
2 min read
Kobe Bryant is considered by many to be the second-best shooting guard in NBA history behind Michael Jordan. However, with the Los Angeles Lakers getting younger and with a talented backcourt tandem of Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell, both of whom can play combo guard, it makes sense for Bryant to slide over to small forward. That's what we're seeing early in camp in LA.
Many thought the projected lineup for the Lakers would feature those three, along with Julius Randle at power forward and Roy Hibbert at center. What's more interesting, though, is how Bryant has described the change to how he's playing in that role. In short, the typically hyper-ball-dominant Bryant is handling the ball less, and spotting up more.
Bryant at small forward was not so much a surprise as it was strange to see. Scott has frequently discussed giving Bryant time on the wing, which in theory could reduce the amount of strain required for him to get open shots.
“I don’t have to handle the ball really at all,” Bryant said. “Gives me more time to catch and shoot.”
He said having Russell and Clarkson on the court makes his job simpler.
“These guys can handle the ball and make incredible decisions and make plays,” he said. “Makes it a lot easier.”
If you're a Lakers fan, this is great news. Bryant accepting a role off-ball and being willing to spot-up more is going to save his body and make him more efficient. It also gives the Lakers a better chance at developing those young guards. The question will be how much Bryant will allow them to run the show and stay in that lane as a spot-up shooter and secondary playmaker.
It's a good sign to hear Bryant saying he trusts those two to make plays. It also helps to move Bryant to small forward because the Lakers have terrible depth at that spot. His taking up minutes there will help them stick with standard lineups, which Byron Scott prefers without having to get too "weird."
Bryant only spent 9.3 percent of his possessions in spot-up situations back in 2013, the last time he played most of a season. He shot well then, 35.8 percent from 3-point range, but that figure dropped last season. Last year he had an astronomical 34.9 usage rate, extremely high for a player his age, especially when combined with long minutes. The Lakers are determined to change that this season. They've discussed putting a minutes cap on him. Moving him to small forward will alleviate some of that as well. It's good to see the Lakers and Bryant being proactive and thinking outside the box on how to best use him on this specific team, instead of simply tailoring everything to who he's been in the past.
