Kobe: Going for 10 in a row?

[Fresh8]

I decided to start this topic just to see what all of you think.. lock it up if you believe it's not neccesary!

Anyways... I was reading on about Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson warning against the team relying too much on Kobe to win games for them...

Kobe Bryant became the sixth player in league history with three consecutive games of at least 45 points, but Bryant and Coach Phil Jackson both called it a temporary trend.

Bryant, the first player with such a streak since Michael Jordan did it toward the end of the 1989-90 season, said it would not be an every-game phenomenon, or even an every-other-game occurrence.

"We know we're going to have [other] players step up and make big contributions," he said. "We're not going to think about this being a long-haul thing. We're going to take it game by game."

Bryant had 50 points Saturday against the Clippers, 48 on Friday against Philadelphia and 45 points Dec. 28 against Memphis before being suspended for two games because of a flagrant foul.

Jackson, whose triangle offense is predicated on team play, also indicated the extreme reliance on Bryant would not be long-term.

"But it certainly gives us a boost at a time when we need it," he said.

After today's win against the Pacers, Kobe has scored 40+ in 4 straight games... do you think he will beat his previous record 9 straight 40+ point games? And do you think he's going at it on purpose?

I don't think he will beat it if he's not trying to but if he really is trying to score 40+ points now... I think he has a slight chance in getting to close to beating 9 games.

[J@3]

He's the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to score 45+ in 4 consecutive games.

[Matt]

too early to talk about 10 yet. He's not half way there yet.

[Andrew]

Probably a bit out of necessity and a little out of a desire to simply score a lot of points. As long as it works, I'm sure Phil Jackson and the rest of the team will at least grin and bear it. Winning does a lot for tolerance. If Kobe was putting up 30 shots and scoring 40-odd points a night and the Lakers were losing by 20 every night then it might be a different story.

[Avrah3]

There is no way that the Lakers will keep on wining if he does it. MJ early in his career did and they lost often enough and MJ scored more than Kobe so Jackson won't let that hapen.

[Cloudy]

Reading that Lakers win and Bryant doing good, I just feel so happy. lol
Back to topic, I think 10 is a little too hard and not neccessary... But breaking records will be cool haha...

[Avrah3]

I would belive he could do it if he broke Wilts record of 100 points in a game but I am 99.999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% percent sure that won't hapen.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

He's averaging 34.1 ppg on 27 shot attempts per night right now... Love it or leave it...

[cyanide]

If he's capable of knocking down those jumpers without missing too much every night and bringing his team the 'W,' then I'll give him the green light. If he can't pull it off after two quarters, he's gonna have to think about driving and dishing.

[dada]

I think he will cool pff the next game, barely missing the 40.

[fgrep15]

He's taking too many shots though, that's the only thing I don't like. He shot really well against Philly though, also took the least shots in his last 3 games against them.

[j.23]

as much as i love seeing him in a scoring barrage, he can't keep doing this. he'll burn himself out. his teammates REALLY need to step up. i don't fault him for taking all those shots, i mean did anyone catch the two jazz games? he's capable of breaking that streak, it seems effortless when he scores but sooner or later everything is going to catch up to him. they need another scorer on the team.

[dada]

They need to do something quick, I dont really care if its Ron or not, they just need another guy in there.

[bludgeon]

With O'neal gone and the Lakers' lack of scoring option, he can surely do it on an every game basis if he insists to do so. I am not saying it's good for his team or it's good for himself, but he can definitely do it if he wants to.
I used to like Kobe and his game, but this year, I'm starting to love this guy. I mean, he still has numerous ill-advised attempts, but he's shown that he'll( try to) score only when his team really needs it badly. He puts the team on his shoulders and wills the Lakers to victories by determination. There are different comments on Bryant's talent, but it's obvious that his mental toughness is what developed his game. With his offensive ability which is proven to be legendary, you cant deny that he is( currently) the best offensive weapon in the game of basketball, not to compare his all-round game with others.