Dwight + Kobe = horrible duo?

[Fafnir]

Meanwhile their defense is the biggest issue, but as coaches usually say: 'its hard to get players to play defense when they never touch the ball on the other end".

Its not just about touches.  I think there is a flow to defense, and when the offense is flowing, often the defensive intensity picks up as well.

Not to mention, its easier to get your defense set, when the other team is taking the ball out from under the basket, and not getting long rebounds to get up before the defense can get set.

Just reducing the number of mind boggling bad turnovers they have a game will help their transition defense.

[MBunge]

I think its tough to keep both of them happy because both feel like they need the ball for a certain amount of possessions.

Kobe is going to get his shots up, no matter what. Meanwhile Dwight only stays engaged if you get him the ball for several post ups as well.

Gasol also needs his touches.  I'm not sure you can manage all that in a system where the ball is in one guy's hands all the time, even if that guy is Nash.  Kobe knows enough to talk a good game, but there's no way he'll be happy standing off to the side while Nash runs pick-n-rolls with Howard and Gasol over and over again.

Mike

[scaryjerry]

I don't think Dwight Howard is the same player right now.....I never really understood why he wanted out of Orlando...they built their teams perfectly to accommodate him. dwightmare. didn't even notice him last night and so far I haven't seen his heart into being in la

[2short]

I think its tough to keep both of them happy because both feel like they need the ball for a certain amount of possessions.

Kobe is going to get his shots up, no matter what. Meanwhile Dwight only stays engaged if you get him the ball for several post ups as well.

Gasol also needs his touches.  I'm not sure you can manage all that in a system where the ball is in one guy's hands all the time, even if that guy is Nash.  Kobe knows enough to talk a good game, but there's no way he'll be happy standing off to the side while Nash runs pick-n-rolls with Howard and Gasol over and over again.

Mike

agreed, kobe needs the ball and shots, to make dwight effective the ball has to be in nash's ball dominating grip, i think i see an implosion
gasol is a good enough passer and teammate i don't worry about him, kobe has never been good at playing with other kids and i think we'll see his real face as the losing continues

i think if they aren't doing well at a certain point it would make more sense to blow the team up, kobe included and start with a free cap they have some big contracts there

[ScottHow]

I think the biggest problem is the team has no direction. They now play 0 defense and their offense is suppose to be run and gun with an old Kobe, Artest, and Howard off back surgery? Not to mention Gasol being benched.

[mgent]

Kobe wants to shoot his shots, not run the pick and roll with Dwight.  He's better with an elite passing big man (Gasol, Shaq) that will give him the ball back and at least create a better shot for him.

[Who]

Kobe and Dwight work together fine.

There are several problems in LA. That combination / duo is not one of them.

[Boris Badenov]

I just checked Howard's on/off numbers and am shocked.

His net plus/minus is -9.

Per 48, the Lakers score 108 with him on the court, 115 with him off the court.

Even worse, they allow 105 with him on the court, and 103 with him off. The alleged best defensive player in the league is making his team worse on defense.

The Lakers allow 49% FG with him, 45% without. They get 50% of rebounds with him, 55% without.

What a disgrace.

Kobe on the other hand is a net +21; the Lakers are 14 points better on offense and 7 better on defense when Bryant is on the floor. Every metric you can think of (except, not surprisingly, assisted baskets) is even or better with Kobe on the floor. That includes team shooting percentage, which is 53% with and 46% without.

I am not the biggest Kobe fan, but IMO this has everything to do with Dwight Howard and his terrible, half-hearted efforts.

[hpantazo]

The lakers should trade Kobe for a young, talented point guard who can be paired with Howard and Gasol and take over after Nash retires. There is no sense in investing in Kobe any longer. Trade him to the twolves for Rubio plus someone to make salaries work

[hpantazo]

I just checked Howard's on/off numbers and am shocked.

His net plus/minus is -9.

Per 48, the Lakers score 108 with him on the court, 115 with him off the court.

Even worse, they allow 105 with him on the court, and 103 with him off. The alleged best defensive player in the league is making his team worse on defense.

The Lakers allow 49% FG with him, 45% without. They get 50% of rebounds with him, 55% without.

What a disgrace.

Kobe on the other hand is a net +21; the Lakers are 14 points better on offense and 7 better on defense when Bryant is on the floor. Every metric you can think of (except, not surprisingly, assisted baskets) is even or better with Kobe on the floor. That includes team shooting percentage, which is 53% with and 46% without.

I am not the biggest Kobe fan, but IMO this has everything to do with Dwight Howard and his terrible, half-hearted efforts.

I don't like Howard's mindset on the court, but I think these numbers reflect the fact that he is still recovering from major back surgery and learning to play on a new team with an egomaniac teammate and no coaching direction. He's still young and the best center in the league, and when fully healthy the best defensive big man in the league. With a good coach next to Gasol and a pg like Rubio he would flourish. Kobe is on his last legs and is killing the flow of the team trying to play like he's 25. They should trade him.

[SHAQATTACK]

I just checked Howard's on/off numbers and am shocked.

His net plus/minus is -9.

Per 48, the Lakers score 108 with him on the court, 115 with him off the court.

Even worse, they allow 105 with him on the court, and 103 with him off. The alleged best defensive player in the league is making his team worse on defense.

The Lakers allow 49% FG with him, 45% without. They get 50% of rebounds with him, 55% without.

What a disgrace.

Kobe on the other hand is a net +21; the Lakers are 14 points better on offense and 7 better on defense when Bryant is on the floor. Every metric you can think of (except, not surprisingly, assisted baskets) is even or better with Kobe on the floor. That includes team shooting percentage, which is 53% with and 46% without.

I am not the biggest Kobe fan, but IMO this has everything to do with Dwight Howard and his terrible, half-hearted efforts.

I don't like Howard's mindset on the court, but I think these numbers reflect the fact that he is still recovering from major back surgery and learning to play on a new team with an egomaniac teammate and no coaching direction. He's still young and the best center in the league, and when fully healthy the best defensive big man in the league. With a good coach next to Gasol and a pg like Rubio he would flourish. Kobe is on his last legs and is killing the flow of the team trying to play like he's 25. They should trade him.

Kobe has a no trade contract. UNLESS he approves first.

Howard may NEVER be the player he was, back SURGERY is super serious , and while he may outplay and be better athlete than 99.5% of the genral population, all he has to lose is  6 inchs of leaping ability, some dexterity, some control , ect , and he suddenly he becomes just an above average player in the NBA ( which is level he playing at , above average , not great).   Since he SUCKS as a shooter , he may never be able to rely on the Lebron /Wade pure athleticism to be great after surgery.

Howard doesn't have the "KILLER" instinct to WIN ,  Not sure he is PURE lover of the game like MJ, KG , and Kobe....he wants to be great and admired , but doesn't want to put in the work 80 games to get there like other famous centers.

Attitude , mindset and IQ is very important.  He reminds me of a 7 th grader , looking to impress everybody. He reminds me of a black modern  Jethro Bodine of the Beverly Hillbillies. 

He'll never mean as much to a team as RObert Parrish meant to the Celtic s ...or maybe not even the player Bynum was for the Lakers when they needed him.

When the PRESSURE is on HOWARD crumbles, fouls out, shoots abrick, misses a layup , makes a bad play when the chips are down....his mind is soft , he does the wrong thing 50% of the time when the pressure is on. 

[CelticG1]

Kobe and Dwight work together fine.

There are several problems in LA. That combination / duo is not one of them.

Besides them being elite talents I wouldn't say they are a great match.

[Who]

I just checked Howard's on/off numbers and am shocked.

His net plus/minus is -9.

Per 48, the Lakers score 108 with him on the court, 115 with him off the court.

Even worse, they allow 105 with him on the court, and 103 with him off. The alleged best defensive player in the league is making his team worse on defense.

The Lakers allow 49% FG with him, 45% without. They get 50% of rebounds with him, 55% without.

What a disgrace.

Kobe on the other hand is a net +21; the Lakers are 14 points better on offense and 7 better on defense when Bryant is on the floor. Every metric you can think of (except, not surprisingly, assisted baskets) is even or better with Kobe on the floor. That includes team shooting percentage, which is 53% with and 46% without.

I am not the biggest Kobe fan, but IMO this has everything to do with Dwight Howard and his terrible, half-hearted efforts.

Dwight Howard is still struggling with his recovering from that back surgery.

Not as physically able as he once was. Give it time, hopefully, it'll come back in time.

[Kiorrik]

Tbh, they make a great 1-2 punch ... like Laurel and Hardy :p

[lightspeed5]

Kobe and Dwight work together fine.

There are several problems in LA. That combination / duo is not one of them.

Besides them being elite talents I wouldn't say they are a great match.

exactly. If it was a good match, we would have seen amazing things. A 39 year old shaq was putting a better performance with lobs from rajon rondo, and rondo broke so many assist records thanks to shaq diesel. 82 assists in the 1st 5 games. Dwight and kobe have lost so many games its not even funny.