Monday, January 28th, 2013 at 9:30 am  |  71 responses

Unselfish Kobe Bryant Reminds Steve Nash of Magic Johnson


The Los Angeles Lakers are on a two-game winning streak, thanks in large part to Kobe Bryant’s passing and playmaking. Steve Nash told reporters after last night’s upset win over the visiting OKC Thunder that Kobe’s 28 assists over the past two games brought back memories of Magic Johnson. Per the LA Times: “In the latest proof that wins equal happiness, Dwight Howard and Bryant embraced near midcourt in the final seconds. A victory never seemed so important for a team that ‘improved’ to 19-25. The Thunder came in with the NBA’s best record (34-10). ‘It feels good to finally beat a team that’s worth a sh*t.’ Bryant said later. Where to begin? With Bryant, as usual. He had 14 assists in a second consecutive game, continuing his approach that began two days earlier in a breezy victory over Utah. He also had 21 points, nine rebounds and only three turnovers, none in the second half. ‘Frankly, Kobe reminds me a little bit of Magic Johnson the way he’s playing right now,’ Nash said. ‘He’s controlling the game.’ Bryant had this many assists over two games only one other time: December 2002, when he posted back-to-back 14s against Utah and Golden State. The context here couldn’t be greater. Bryant is stealing the role from the player who won two league most-valuable-player awards under Coach Mike D’Antoni’s system in Phoenix. And the gamble couldn’t be bigger. The Lakers, desperate for momentum, are still four games out of a playoff spot despite the victory. Numerous Lakers players have complained about not getting enough touches, minutes, whatever, this season. Nash won’t whine about not getting enough assists. ‘I welcome this,’ he said. ‘We’re so much better this way regardless of how many opportunities I get to make plays. At this stage of my career, I’m all-in as far as trying to figure this out, how we can all be better together. It is a big difference for me and a big change, and it’s something that I have to continue to adjust to. Very rarely did I get the ball to catch and shoot in my career … but I’m getting a good rhythm and I think I’m feeling more comfortable doing it.’”

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  • LakeShow

    I love when people act like KB has EVER had a strength or posting issue any time after his 4th year in the L. Just hasn’t happened.

  • altamera74

    Justified or not, both Shaq and the Lakers would have been better, and likely won more rings had he been less lazy, been better at staying in shape, and tried harder on defense. Same with Kobe’s frequent lack of team play.

  • http://www.facebook.com/nguyen.h.phung Nguyen Hoang Phung

    james’s assits are bullshit !!!

  • huami

    Yes he certainly is.

  • huami

    Couldn’t agree more. Well said. However, what I meant was, if only he had the mindset to constantly set his teammates up like he is now, I believe shaq wouldn’t have left LA.

  • Allen

    Shaquille ?

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/OVPBYCSRK6PSUKNCOB66Z2L4IU scot

    Kobe passes more, nash shoots more, Howard plays more defense, Gasol plays more aggressive. D Antonio let Bickerstaff coach.
    bench start shooting better and maintain the lead

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/OVPBYCSRK6PSUKNCOB66Z2L4IU scot

    nash is a good shooter so he can be the shooting guard, well actually both nash and kobe are shooting and point guards.

  • Peter Maguire

    nice to see someone who actually saw the truth, and as far as Kobe was involved he knew Shaq’s methods and surely was riding his work ethic and lack of overall conditioning. This the untold story is how Kobe demands 110% and if you want his respect you better put it in!

  • http://www.facebook.com/gtowery1 Glenn Towery

    Possibly brilliant move D’Antoni a 2 point guard system. Pick your point guard poison, especially when they are on the floor together. Might work…..Very interesting….Can’t wait to see how this plays out. May change basketball forever.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Smith/100004127531754 Ben Smith

    I don’t know. “Taking the shots when they’re there” isn’t quite the same as being an aggressive offensive player who collapses the defense almost at will, which is what Kobe Bryant is doing. Nash is not a naturally aggressive scorer and he definitely has not constituted an aggressive offensive player since 2010.

    I’d say that the Lakers will just have to stick with what they’re doing. If Nash isn’t open, someone else probably will be open.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Smith/100004127531754 Ben Smith

    … with zero NBA Finals appearances. Sometimes, you can be too “pass first.”

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Smith/100004127531754 Ben Smith

    The reason why the Lakers lost in the 2004 Finals was the Pistons being the better team …

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Smith/100004127531754 Ben Smith

    “Arguably” being the operative word; Wade was the more efficient scorer, more explosive off the dribble, and at least as effective of a playmaker.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Smith/100004127531754 Ben Smith

    The NBA game is about efficiency; all of Kobe’s skills have never allowed him to shoot .470 from the field.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Smith/100004127531754 Ben Smith

    But when Kobe posts up, he often ends up drifting out to about eighteen feet and no longer being in the post. Whether the issue is more physical or psychological, I’m not sure.

  • Peter Maguire

    Look at the numbers Kobe and Michael are almost exactly the same and if anything Kobe is better at the 3-point shot. The game comes down to who can win in in the clutch and obviously the whole world agrees Kobe is far better closer than Shaq ever was. Efficiency is key and of course they needed both to win but seriously who played with more injuries more heart and more hanging over his head than Kobe and still delivered. The 2004 debacle was a mess because Kobe was injured and so was Malone , Shaq got his numbers because Payton fed him and his role surely hurt his role as well as how horrible it was to go against Kobe in the Finals. Those teams were poor and the numbers show it, lots of talent like todays team but never really gelled like they should have.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509819249 Gaurav P.

    Yes, but Kobe was forcing the issue against Prince a lot.

  • LakeShow

    Just not true. He doesn’t get it on the low post. He gets it at the elbow. He either back’s his man down if their is space, or doesn’t if there isn’t.

  • Denzo

    He’s got more than Joe Johnson.

  • altamera74

    Debatable. Kareem, Russell, Chamberlain

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