07-15-2004, 11:51 PM
The Lakers were down to their last of three strikes on Thursday, and they avoided a complete whiff when Kobe Bryant decided to return to Showtime. Bryant has elected to come back to the Lakers rather than signing with the cross town Clippers. The deal is reportedly worth $136 million over seven years.
Of course, Bryant will find the Purple-and-Gold locker room decidedly different, now that Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal and nine-time NBA champion Phil Jackson have been shipped out. Bryant essentially has what he's always desiredâa team centered exclusively around him.
Whether Bryant can pull off what idol Michael Jordan did throughout the 1990sâwin NBA titles without a dominant centerâremains to be seen. Much has been made of Kobe's lackluster record without Shaq in the lineup. It's a worthy debate to be certain, but with two first-round fantasy players in the spotlight, fantasy ramifications are our primary concern.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bryant should probably have been a bit more careful about what he wished for, as he may require nametags when he reports for training camp in the fall. After eight seasons of teaming up with Shaq in one of the most compelling duos in NBA history, Kobe trades Superman forâ¦Lamar Odom. The Lakers are suddenly a motley collection of big guards and small forwards, with virtually no discernable options in the paint.
Assuming no significant changesâand Kobe's maximum contract caps the Lakers out until 2007âthe Lakers primary rotation will consist of some combination of Gary Payton and rookie Sasha Vujacic at the point, Bryant at two-guard, Odom and Caron Butler at the wing, and Brian Grant and Stanislav Medvedenko in the paint.
There is still some considerable uncertainty, however. Payton was reportedly concerned about the implications the Shaq trade will have on the team's title chances and may demand a trade or buyout his contract. Given his predilection for dominating the rock, he and Bryant are not a good fit, as evidenced by his struggles last season.
In addition, the Lakers may explore free agency as a means for filling their rather significant void in the lane. Former Lakers center Vlade Divac, Golden State center Erick Dampier, and current free agent Karl Malone are three possibilities, although the team can only offer the midlevel exception.
No matter what the Lakers do going forward, it is clear that for the first time in Kobe's career, this is his team. While that's not likely to satiate his championship aspirations anytime soon, it will be of significant benefit to his fantasy value. It goes without saying that he will be the No. 1 option on offense, and it's critical to note that Kobe's career-high scoring output of 30 points per game in 2002 came when he also attempted a career-high 23.5 shots per outing. With scoring champion Tracy McGrady moving to a more conservative offense in Houston, it would not surprise us at all to see Kobe lead the league in scoring next seasonâthat is, of course, unless a certain Big Fella in Miami beats him out.
McGrady presents an interesting fantasy benchmark. While fending for himself in Orlando, McGrady made himself a top-five fantasy player by averaging over 30 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a similar do-it-all role over the last two seasons. Fantasy owners that are concerned with Bryant's rather ordinary teammatesâwho he will pass to, who will attract opposing defenses, etc.âshould consider what T-Mac had to work with. A supporting cast of Juwan Howard, Drew Gooden, and Tyronn Lue is decidedly worse than Odom, Butler, Grant, and Payton.
Bryant set career highs in rebounds and assists in 2002 with 6.9 boards and 5.9 dimes, demonstrating that he clearly possesses the versatility to match McGrady's top-five production. Given the lack of big bodies in the paint, expect Bryant to hit the boards particularly hard next season.
While he will certainly enjoy not having to defer to Shaq in offensive sets, we don't expect his assist total to diminish too much. He has quietly averaged more than five assists per game in each of the last four seasons. Bryant won't have the Big Daddy to throw it up to, but he will face constant double (if not triple) teams that will leave his teammates wide open. Remember, if T-Mac averaged 5.5 dimes per outing with his putrid crew, Odom and friends are certainly capable enough to keep Kobe consistent in that category.
Fantasy owners can expect Kobe to regress in two specific categoriesâfield-goal percentage and turnovers. Bryant will undoubtedly find himself under extreme duress from opposing defenses that no longer have to worry about Shaq down low. His shot attempts will often be more difficult, and without the luxury of the biggest safety valve in the league, he will have to force the issue more often.
Without question, Kobe and Shaq together created one of the league's most compelling championship dynasties. Now that they are apart, however, they're both staring top-five fantasy value squarely in the face.
Of course, Bryant will find the Purple-and-Gold locker room decidedly different, now that Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal and nine-time NBA champion Phil Jackson have been shipped out. Bryant essentially has what he's always desiredâa team centered exclusively around him.
Whether Bryant can pull off what idol Michael Jordan did throughout the 1990sâwin NBA titles without a dominant centerâremains to be seen. Much has been made of Kobe's lackluster record without Shaq in the lineup. It's a worthy debate to be certain, but with two first-round fantasy players in the spotlight, fantasy ramifications are our primary concern.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bryant should probably have been a bit more careful about what he wished for, as he may require nametags when he reports for training camp in the fall. After eight seasons of teaming up with Shaq in one of the most compelling duos in NBA history, Kobe trades Superman forâ¦Lamar Odom. The Lakers are suddenly a motley collection of big guards and small forwards, with virtually no discernable options in the paint.
Assuming no significant changesâand Kobe's maximum contract caps the Lakers out until 2007âthe Lakers primary rotation will consist of some combination of Gary Payton and rookie Sasha Vujacic at the point, Bryant at two-guard, Odom and Caron Butler at the wing, and Brian Grant and Stanislav Medvedenko in the paint.
There is still some considerable uncertainty, however. Payton was reportedly concerned about the implications the Shaq trade will have on the team's title chances and may demand a trade or buyout his contract. Given his predilection for dominating the rock, he and Bryant are not a good fit, as evidenced by his struggles last season.
In addition, the Lakers may explore free agency as a means for filling their rather significant void in the lane. Former Lakers center Vlade Divac, Golden State center Erick Dampier, and current free agent Karl Malone are three possibilities, although the team can only offer the midlevel exception.
No matter what the Lakers do going forward, it is clear that for the first time in Kobe's career, this is his team. While that's not likely to satiate his championship aspirations anytime soon, it will be of significant benefit to his fantasy value. It goes without saying that he will be the No. 1 option on offense, and it's critical to note that Kobe's career-high scoring output of 30 points per game in 2002 came when he also attempted a career-high 23.5 shots per outing. With scoring champion Tracy McGrady moving to a more conservative offense in Houston, it would not surprise us at all to see Kobe lead the league in scoring next seasonâthat is, of course, unless a certain Big Fella in Miami beats him out.
McGrady presents an interesting fantasy benchmark. While fending for himself in Orlando, McGrady made himself a top-five fantasy player by averaging over 30 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a similar do-it-all role over the last two seasons. Fantasy owners that are concerned with Bryant's rather ordinary teammatesâwho he will pass to, who will attract opposing defenses, etc.âshould consider what T-Mac had to work with. A supporting cast of Juwan Howard, Drew Gooden, and Tyronn Lue is decidedly worse than Odom, Butler, Grant, and Payton.
Bryant set career highs in rebounds and assists in 2002 with 6.9 boards and 5.9 dimes, demonstrating that he clearly possesses the versatility to match McGrady's top-five production. Given the lack of big bodies in the paint, expect Bryant to hit the boards particularly hard next season.
While he will certainly enjoy not having to defer to Shaq in offensive sets, we don't expect his assist total to diminish too much. He has quietly averaged more than five assists per game in each of the last four seasons. Bryant won't have the Big Daddy to throw it up to, but he will face constant double (if not triple) teams that will leave his teammates wide open. Remember, if T-Mac averaged 5.5 dimes per outing with his putrid crew, Odom and friends are certainly capable enough to keep Kobe consistent in that category.
Fantasy owners can expect Kobe to regress in two specific categoriesâfield-goal percentage and turnovers. Bryant will undoubtedly find himself under extreme duress from opposing defenses that no longer have to worry about Shaq down low. His shot attempts will often be more difficult, and without the luxury of the biggest safety valve in the league, he will have to force the issue more often.
Without question, Kobe and Shaq together created one of the league's most compelling championship dynasties. Now that they are apart, however, they're both staring top-five fantasy value squarely in the face.