Monday, April 16, 2012

The Kobe Effect!



Kobe Bryant is arguable one of the best players that ever picked up a basketball.  He has won 5 rings with the Los Angeles Lakers and is searching for that 6th ring to catch his idol Michael Jordan. 


This year while Kobe has been trying to lead his team to a championship, he has suffered a few injuries.  Right now he has missed 5 games due to an injured shin.  In Kobe's absence, the Los Angeles Lakers have put up a 4-1 record consisting of a impressive win on Sunday versus last year's NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks.


The amazing thing about the Lakers recent play is the production they have been receiving from role players Metta World Peace (can't believe I just typed that), and Matt Barnes.  Last week, World Peace led the Lakers past the Spurs with 26 points when he only averages 7.4 points a game.  Matt Barnes led the team past Denver on Friday with 24 points when he averages 7.7 points a game.  Why are these guys not producing on a more consistent basis.  Could it be the KOBE EFFECT?

KOBE EFFECT - The act of decreasing in productivity due to the lack of shots and confidence while in the presence of Kobe Bryant.


Let's see if this theory holds any weight when it comes to teammates that won a championships with Kobe.
  


The first year he won a championship, the Lakers traded for Glen Rice to help the team get over the hump.  Glen Rice averaged 22.3 points a game with 45% shooting the year before he became a Laker and averaged 15.9 points a game at 43% shooting the year they won the championship. 


The next year Mitch Richmond joined the Lakers and won a championship.  He averaged 16.2 points per game at 40% shooting with the Wizards then joined the Lakers and averaged 4.1 points per game at 40% shooting.

Finally, Ron Artest aka Metta World Peace averaged 17.3 points per game at 40% shooting with the Rockets then joined the Lakers and averaged 11.7 points per game at 41% shooting.


For some reason, perimeter players have the hardest time being successful with Kobe Bryant.  Is it because Kobe shoots the ball too much?  Is it the stress of playing on a championship caliber team?  Is it the lack of trust Kobe has for his teammates which results in the lack of shot attempts they receive?


One thing I've learned in the last week is the Lakers are a real contender, but if Kobe Bryant doesn't realize that he actually has good players around him that can realistically help him win that 6th ring, then he can just pop in the Luniz the cd, cause all he will have is "FIVE ON IT"!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Dwayne Wade For Sale!

For Sale

The Miami Heat was formed in the summer of 2010 with the Big 3 that consist of Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.  Each one was a star before they joined forces but none of them in their current situation were in a position to win a NBA Championship.  Not even Dwayne Wade who had already won a championship with the Heat.


This team is like a science project.  The CONTROL was each player on their original team by themselves, where each player would not become champions before joining forces.  The HYPOTHESIS, is LeBron James saying, "Not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7 championships".  After one year, we would have to start coming to a conclusion that this project just might not validate the HYPOTHESIS of a return in championships.

In any sport, a successful team wins championships due to the chemistry they display throughout the year.  It is clear that Lebron James and Dwayne Wade cannot play at their maximum ability on the same team.  They are both the same player and take up each other's space.  It would be like Dwight Howard and Shaq starting on the same team.  So, what is the answer?  Let's dissect the situation.  When the Miami Heat play without Lebron James, they are a .500 team with a record of 5-5.  When the Miami Heat play without Dwayne Wade, they are 9-1 with a .900 winning percentage.  I have to come to the conclusion that the Miami Heat are a more effective team without Dwayne Wade.

So, let's look at the Miami Heat's weaknesses.  We can all come to the conclusion that they need help at the point guard and center positions.  Since Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum are the only good centers in the league, let us direct our attention to the point guard position.  The best point guard available is Deron Williams who will be a free agent at the end of this year and has no intentions on staying in New Jersey.  Why don't we play GM Pat Riley for a second.  Let's trade Dwayne Wade to the New Jersey Nets for Deron Williams.  Since Dwayne has a couple years left on his contract, New Jersey would take him in a heartbeat since they could draw more players to play with Wade.  New Jersey could sign and trade Deron Williams so that Miami would have him under contract.  Check out the Miami starting five.


PG Deron Williams
SG LeBron James
SF Shane Battier
PF Chris Bosh
C   Joel Anthony

That starting five would be more effective than the current Miami starting five due to better chemistry with Deron Williams adding his eight assist per game.  A great point guard makes the game easy for everyone.  Just ask Kareem, Worthy, Scott, and Cooper.   

In conclusion, the Miami Heat can continue being one of the most entertaining teams in the league, or start addressing the chemistry problems and become a DYNASTY.