Why Kobe Blew Game 3

Last night, the Magic were able to secure their first NBA Finals victory in franchise history not because of Dwight Howard’s 20th double-double in 21 playoff games, not because five Magic players scored at least eighteen points (the Lakers had two such players), but because of Kobe Bryant’s foolish play in the second half. He had a ridiculous first-quarter, scoring 17 points (7-10 shooting), and accounting for 23 of the Lakers’ 31 points. From then on, Kobe planned on continuing his first quarter barrage for the remaining 36 minutes; he was on-pace to score 68 points, 5 better than Jordan’s playoff record of 63. He tried to split double-teams, go right at Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard, take threes with hands in his face, and he rarely passed the ball to his deserving teammates. Too often, double-teamed Kobe drove the lane, drew the entire Magic defense, and left wide-open Ariza, Farmar, or Fisher wondering why Kobe was trying to maneuver through the 33 feet and 1000 pounds that is the Magic starting lineup. Let’s look at what Kobe did after the first quarter: 4-15 field goals, 4 personal fouls, 4-9 free throw shooting, 3 turnovers, and a +/- of -7. In the fourth quarter, Kobe really blew it for the Lakers. Trying to be the hero he was in the first quarter, over-aggressive Kobe Bryant missed three 3-pointers in the final two minutes. Then, in a one-possession game with less than thirty seconds left, he tried to split yet another double-team, and got stripped by Mickael Pietrus, who went on to put the Magic up by five with two free-throws. But what really gets me is Kobe’s attitude on the court. After every Laker mishap, Bryant makes it out to be an astronomical cataclysm that won’t happen again on his watch. He comes off as an overly-didactic know-it-all, getting on his teammates’ case for something that either wasn’t their fault, or that they already understand how to correct. He’s not the coach. Phil Jackson is one of the most accomplished coaches in NBA history (most playoff wins, highest regular season winning percentage); he doesn’t need Kobe doing his job. Bryant is the best player on the Lakers hands-down, but he’s not the only player on the team. His supporting cast is far better than LeBron’s Cavs or Dwayne Wade’s Heat, and he should take advantage of that. I know he’s eager to prove he’s one of the NBA’s all-time best, that he doesn’t need Shaq to win a championship, but selfish play—no matter how spectacular—isn’t the way to do it.