The book on Kobe Bryant
By Hersey Hawkins
Special to ESPN.com
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WATCHING LIKE A HAWK |
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|  | | Hawkins |
Throughout the rest of the playoffs, Bulls guard Hersey Hawkins will provide ESPN.com with an in-depth scouting report on several key players. Hawkins continues his series with a look at the Lakers'
Kobe Bryant. |
The Lakers depend on Kobe Bryant a great deal. Shaquille O'Neal is always the primary offensive option, but L.A. needs Bryant to provide its second offensive look.
In his fourth NBA season, Bryant has begun to fill a Jordan-like role. When the shot clock is running down, you put the ball in Kobe's hands, and he can create and make tough shots.
The Lakers need him to penetrate and get others involved. He's their spark plug, and he gets the crowd going with exciting plays.
How to defend Bryant: Oh boy, with Kobe, first of all you want him to shoot from the perimeter, keep him out there and give him room so he doesn't use his quick first step to get by you. Get up on him and push him to his left. When he goes to his right, he almost always takes it all the way to the hoop and finishes strong.
|  | | Kobe Bryant is most dangerous when he's driving. |
He sometimes has a tendency to shoot the jumper rather than go to the basket and dunking or creating for someone else.
He has become dangerous with his jumper, but that's the lesser of two evils. You'd rather have him shoot from the outside, because you never know how the jumper will go. His game thrives on getting into the lane and getting to the line. If he's on the perimeter, then he's not getting others involved or the opponent in foul trouble.
How Bryant defends you: He has size and quickness, along with great hands. He's one of the few shooting guards in the league who has the quickness to really pressure both two guards and point guards. He does not worry about you going around him. He is tenacious.
You can tell when a guy commits to defense, and what Kobe did to go from last year to this, I don't know what got into him. But someone told him to play defense -- it must have been Phil Jackson.
What role is Bryant expected to fill for the Lakers: Kobe can carry the Lakers if Shaq is in foul trouble. He has had some great games in the playoffs where he has had to step up and create and shoot more. He is comfortable in the triangle offense, and he can direct his teammates to get the right spacing. He can find people and provide quality scoring.
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