Kobe was weaker than usual on the Defensive end as PJ said in the first half of season, but improved as the season went along. PJ also said Kobe needs to imrove this year on D, for the Lakers to contend.

On the otherhand, the voters study game tape for a living and picked Kobe the best at his position. Kobe was good, but not great, even he admitted he needed to improve. I think it was simply that he was the best at his position, according to the coaches. This is one of the few awards that is actually voted on by experts. Unlike the media, where a reputation award could easily happen.

If he did win, only on reputation, then its a rep well deserved, not something to knock him for. Like a Barry Bonds asterisk home run thing. Ab4sure, not saying your knocking him for that, just something I’ve heard at other blogs.

Keep in mind the people who vote these players in… the COACHES & they are not allowed to vote for their own players. I suppose the people watching and having to attack Lakers defense all season long weren’t paying attention and gave Kobe votes strictly on reputation.

Was last year Kobe’s best defensive year? No. That was impossible, but even it were, so what. Is Kobe playing D up to his maximum potential? Again, no, and again he would need a better defensive team to maximize his potential in addition to having a team that could function on offense (such as Team USA). Even with this, he’s a top 5 defensive player in the NBA.

Never smoked crack. I guess your alittle familiar with that stuff. You must be on something to be so into kobe that you can’t see his faults. Perhaps, you need alittle detox center for yourself.LOL

you smokin crack again? kobe was first team defense last year!!! nothing wrong with his defense at all.

But that doesn’t excuse Kobe from leading by example. You can say that he can’t focus as much on the defensive end because he has to carry so much of the offense (there is truth to that statement) but that does not excuse his almost complete lack of defense last year. Three years ago he was one of the best perimeter defenders in the game, but since then his effort on that end of the floor has gotten worst every year. This doesn’t let any of the other players off the hook but Kobe needs to set the example.

It’s simply going to take a long time for them to have it down pat. They should increase their practice time by 45 minutes, but instead of wear and tear physically, they should be reviewing tape and just going through these rotations on the court with very little physical effort, literally go through the motions so that it becomes instant and automatic. I’m sure they already do this, which just goes to show, it’s NOT easy.

Its going to take awhile for this team to play some good D.
Desire is the first step in the equation.

Lamar, Fisher, Kobe, Ronny can set the tone for the rest of the team. But they haven’t played together yet.

Rebounding: I feel when Odom comes back our core rebounding line will be Kwame, Ronny, Lamar. Not worried about that line up.

Marion? Not for it.

“Kobe’s defense has to significantly improve and he needs to make it a high priority. He’s the leader of this team (whether he wants to be here or not), and the team looks to its leader to set the intensity on the defensive end.”

Heres a problem with that, Kobe sets the intensity high every time he steps on the floor, but does anybody follow? No. Kobe sets an example off the court by taking extra time to work on his game, but does anyone follow that? Nope. I havent heard of anyone on this team taking extra time to fine tune their game by for example taking extra shots. Ive heard many times how Suns players take extra time on their shot and look where their at now. Lakers should be doing the same.
Lets face it Kobe doesnt trust anyone on this team, no one on this team makes plays when they count down the stretch, and im sure that hurts Kobe more than anything else. Defense is played as a team, why would Kobe play hard-nosed defense on one-man, when he doesnt even trust his teammates to play D on their own man. Defense is only as good as your weakest link, Kobe can only do so much as one man. Many say lead by example, Kobes done that, but no one follows.

COMPLETELY disagree about Shawn Marion. He’s super-overated, overpaid, and his shot is pure ugly. He doesn’t fit into the triangle at all. It would definitely be a step backwards for the Lakers to trade Lamar for someone like him. He does fit with a quick offense, but it’s still the triangle… and it won’t work. In his current situation, the other Suns make him look good…

I can’t say I’m SUPER optimistic about this season, but it’s hard not to have HOPE. We just need to build off of what was good last year AND start strong. Coming of age will happen for this team, when they start believing and trusting one another. There always has and always will be naysayers and doubters… let’s get this season off and prove them all wrong.