The Los Angeles Lakers might as well add another statistic to their box scores: "The Kobe Watch."
Observers examine Bryant's demeanor during every game these days in an attempt to determine whether he has thrown in the towel and abandoned his teammates.
On the court, the Lakers have won three games in a row and Bryant is averaging 27.2 points a game. But a deeper look at the team is less encouraging. Six Western Conference teams have better records, and Bryant has not backed off from his offseason trade demands.
Rumors continue to hang over this team like the ever-present smog that shrouds the city.
Rumors continue to hang over this team like the ever-present smog that shrouds the city.
"It definitely disrupts things," forward Luke Walton said. "It's . . . harder playing that way. But you can't make excuses, you have to go out there and do your job."
Bryant, 29, is doing his job, as usual. He has led the team in scoring in 18 of its 20 games, and also is averaging 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists this season.
"Our rhythm is good and going to get better," Bryant said. "It's just trying to find a type of consistent rhythm and find our groove."
The Lakers seem to have rediscovered their groove, but they have seen this before. The last time the Lakers strung together at least three wins (four in mid-November), they lost their next three.
The Lakers have been hit hard by injuries, with Kwame Brown, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Chris Mihm and Vladimir Radmanovic shelved at some point during the season. Brian Cook and Maurice Evans were traded to Orlando for Trevor Ariza on Nov. 20, and the combination of injuries and trade rumors have created inconsistency on the court.
"Between injuries and trades, people getting moved from the second unit to the first unit, the first unit out to the second unit, we kind of lost our flow and rhythm a little bit," Walton said.
Coach Phil Jackson said last week he doesn't think the team is capable of winning 50 games this season. He said the habits developed among some players on the team aren't conducive to long-term success and he doesn't think it will change this season.
"There is a lot of vacillations in their emotions between playing, being chastised, just going to the bench. There's always the blame factor that comes into effect with young players," Jackson said.
"This team is learning how to grow into their roles of being professional. Can they go forward to graduate where they become dedicated? They get into situations with referees and try and bait them. We challenge calls, which you can't do. And that's a sign of a young team. Unbridled and still undisciplined."
Perhaps Jackson's declaration was another one of his motivational ploys, but the statement probably didn't sit well with Bryant. Playing in his 12th season, Bryant has made it clear he doesn't want to wait for the current group of Lakers to mature. That's why he issued the trade demand, criticized general manager Mitch Kupchak, then launched a blistering, expletive-laced tirade against Bynum during his summer of discontent.
Bryant and the Lakers could have a better idea of how much potential the team has after this month. Six of the Lakers' next 10 opponents reached the playoffs last season. The month also includes a four-game trip against Eastern Conference teams.
"We just have to go out there and play hard . . . not worry about exactly who we are playing," Bryant said. "Just go out there and do a good job, that we know we can do."
Should the Lakers stumble badly during this span, Bryant might turn up the heat for a deal before the trade deadline of Feb. 21. However, he and the Lakers have learned that consummating a trade will not be easy.
Bryant will earn nearly $40 million during the next two seasons, money that would effectively financially handcuff any team that acquires him. And Bryant is eligible to opt out of his contract after the 2008-09 season, meaning the team that traded for him could lose him -- or pay him at least $47.8 million for the next two seasons.
Another issue is what a team would need to give up to acquire Bryant. The Lakers know they will never get "equal value" for Bryant, but they will demand a lot. The Lakers and Bulls discussed a deal in November, but the talks broke down. Some teams simply don't want Bryant, who has had repeated clashes with teammates and team management during his career.
For now, Bryant remains a Laker. How much longer he stays in Los Angeles is anybody's guess.
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