Kobe Bryant playing PG and will be guarding Westbrook

[HoopsFanNumero1]

Kobe Bryant is playing point guard and will guard Russell Westbrook tonight vs Thunder, coach Mike D'Antoni says.
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/411553144267886592

Not gonna end well for Kobe...

http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/51374b8a6bb3f74664000014/westbrook-crosses-over-kobe.gif

[moe94]

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1957833/kobefail.gif

Going to be hilarious.

[gyu]

12 all defensive teams beg to differ. Russell is fcked.

[Scholar]

:(
Kobe should just feign a minor tweak in his Achilles' tendon.



Nah, that'd be p*ssy shit. Let's go, Lakers. Even if a loss is inevitable, at least give OKC hell.

[Mr. Jabbar]

i feel sorry for westbrook, really like the guy

[hawkfan]

Is MDA trying to embarass Kobe?

Kobe's coming off a possible career ending injury and now he is in third game back.
He's still getting his rhythm and conditioning back.
And so MDA has him guarding one of the quickest players in the league.

:coleman:

[imdaman99]

kobe gonna rise to the occasion :rockon: never underestimate the heart of a champion

[Mr Exlax]

for what it's worth, i don't know too many players that would have been able to anticipate Westbrook's move on that first gif. I never actually paid attention, but that shit's killer if you're actually going to try and contest his shot....if he had actually taken one.

[lakerspng]

don't give him the drive, the lanes, let him shoot. Kobe's done it to him in the past with great success and with Westbrook struggling from the outside this season... it's not a great chance, but it is our best chance.

could be very ugly though...

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/411553144267886592

Not gonna end well for Kobe...

http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/51374b8a6bb3f74664000014/westbrook-crosses-over-kobe.gif

may god have mercy on his soul...

[Frozen1]

INB4 Westbrook has a 4-16 game.

[Legends66NBA7]

Guess it makes sense, considering the injury problems the Lakers have at PG.

It doesn't matter who they put at PG, Westbrook is going to torch that player. Bryant has length, but it would only work to his advantage if Westbrook tries to post up. Jodie Meeks wouldn't do any better.

I'm assuming it's Bryant's call too.

[lefthook00]

Eh, he's shut him down before. In the playoffs.

[Nick Young]

Westbrick about to get shut down, D'Antoni is merciless:rockon:

[CavaliersFTW]

Kobe about to tear another achilles

[Dictator]

Wtf Did they forget that westbrook turns into MJ when he plays the lakers?

[CLTHornets4eva]

Not the best way to ease Kobe back into the rotation.

[9erempiree]

Not that Kobe can't do it but this is like his 3rd preseason game of the year and they already putting him on Westbrook.

I don't remember any player in history that has to guard and motivated and in-season form Westbrook for their preseason.

[CavaliersFTW]

Not that Kobe can't do it but this is like his 3rd preseason game of the year and they already putting him on Westbrook.

I don't remember any player in history that has to guard and motivated and in-season form Westbrook for their preseason.
Your only 19, that's why

[SamuraiSWISH]

Kobe has shut him down before in the playoffs. So, why not? I appreciate Kobe's guts.

[Element]

Wtf Did they forget that westbrook turns into MJ when he plays the lakers?

This

Since 2011, he's been averaging 27.86 ppg @ 48 FG% against us :wtf: :bowdown:

[IGOTGAME]

Kobe about to tear another achilles

DAntoni prob wants that to happen...

[TheMarkMadsen]

Kobe has shut him down before in the playoffs. So, why not? I appreciate Kobe's guts.

Because its his 3rd game back off of a torn Achilles, he's already limited athletically due to age and now injury. Didn't play basketball all off season so his conditioning is lacking and now he's assigned to guar the most athletic player in the nba..sounds like a death sentence

[9erempiree]

I swear D'antoni is a mole trying to destroy the Lakers. He does not care and he's out to collect a pay check.

He is the cause of the torn achilles and now this. :facepalm

[#number6ix#]

Kobe will do fine...

[DMAVS41]

It's been since like 08, but I think I'm now going to have to get back to being on team Kobe...

The lack of respect he gets on here lately is a joke

Dude gonna prove a lot of people wrong yet again for like the 10th time in his career...:pimp:

[russwest0]

Kobe fans and Westbrook fans have a mutual respect for each other that other fans just don't understand

[Crown&Coke]

D'antoni thinking;

"we got a couple athletes this year, **** it, lets but Kobe on him"

dafuq?

[$LakerGold]

This is really gonna be bad for his Achilles. Let Nick Young or Xavier Henry guard Westbrook. Typical D'Antoni, always making questionable decisions.

[9erempiree]

This is really gonna be bad for his Achilles. Let Nick Young or Xavier Henry guard Westbrook. Typical D'Antoni, always making questionable decisions.

I agree, why can't they just put Henry on him considering the last game he was running the point too.

[GrapeApe]

Team defense > individual defense so it will take a collective effort. Kobe just has to play smart, take the correct angles, and stay underneath picks to entice jumpers. Easier said than done, sure, but Kobe is savvy enough to hold his own.

[KG215]

Kobe has shut him down before in the playoffs. So, why not? I appreciate Kobe's guts.
Not saying Kobe won't do a good job on Westbrook tonight, but this isn't 2010 Kobe and this isn't 2010, 21 year old Westbrook.

[$LakerGold]

Someone post a gif of Westbrook blowing by everyone on fast break. It's bad enough that Kobe is recovering from his injury but to put up with Westrbooks speed & quickness. OH LORD.

[BlazerRed]

Not sure this is a good move by MDA. Don't see it lasting long.. but who knows? Maybe Kobe will surprise.

[KobesFinger]

Team defense > individual defense so it will take a collective effort. Kobe just has to play smart, take the correct angles, and stay underneath picks to entice jumpers. Easier said than done, sure, but Kobe is savvy enough to hold his own.

Team defense? Lakers? :oldlol:

[longtime lurker]

Breaking News, Kobe out for another 8 months

[oh the horror]

D'Antoni makes moves that are just mind blowing.


Why would he do this when he has younger pieces? Jesus Christ.

[Meticode]

12 all defensive teams beg to differ. Russell is fcked.
All in the past, pre-injury, rusty Kobe and personally those all-defense teams are overrated. LeBron made them too even though there were better defenders out that played his same position.

[coin24]

D'Antoni makes moves that are just mind blowing.


Why would he do this when he has younger pieces? Jesus Christ.

Dantoni is a fu*king idiot

[pegasus]

:facepalm

Let's hope the game is over in the 1st quarter so maybe Kobe gets to sit before he tears something else.

[Legends66NBA7]

I know Bryant's defense has regressed and having a major injury doesn't help anything, but to say you have to put a guy like Meeks or Henry having the defensive assignment over Bryant is just insulting to his resume as a defender. It was probably his call too.

Plus, they are down like 3 point guards, all of whom wouldn't fair any better.

[cos88]

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

http://imageshack.com/a/img543/9508/cpgn.gif (http://imageshack.com/i/f3cpgng)

[Young X]

Someone post a gif of Westbrook blowing by everyone on fast break. It's bad enough that Kobe is recovering from his injury but to put up with Westrbooks speed & quickness. OH LORD.http://media.giphy.com/media/m4grgwid2pc2s/giphy.gif

dat acceleration

[salwan]

inbefore westbrook goes 5-20. nevert doubt the mamba :rockon:

[red1]

Why wouldnt they just use one of their other guards and save kobe for offense. Doesnt seem like a winning strategy

[TheReal Kendall]

I guess Kobe trying to hurt himself again.

He can't possibly think he can guard Westbrook 1v1.

They probably do like the Heat and trap 90% of the game

[longtime lurker]

It's been since like 08, but I think I'm now going to have to get back to being on team Kobe...

The lack of respect he gets on here lately is a joke

Dude gonna prove a lot of people wrong yet again for like the 10th time in his career...:pimp:

Wait what is this I'm seeing? I don't even...

http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Faints.gif.pagespeed.ce.jv0Ouy6p3i.gif

[sportjames23]

Even if Kobe wasn't coming off a major injury, I wouldn't put him on GOATbrook. Kobe's 35, well past the age you'd put him on a lightning quick PG.

The fvck is D'Antoni thinking?

[imdaman99]

The fvck is D'Antoni thinking?
Setting him up to be a martyr. Kobe will always accept the challenge :pimp:

[BlackVVaves]

This gonna be ugly :eek:

[BlackVVaves]

It's been since like 08, but I think I'm now going to have to get back to being on team Kobe...

The lack of respect he gets on here lately is a joke

Dude gonna prove a lot of people wrong yet again for like the 10th time in his career...:pimp:

DMavs coming to Kobe's defense? Whhhaaaaaaaaattttt????

:biggums:

[poido123]

D'Antoni makes moves that are just mind blowing.


Why would he do this when he has younger pieces? Jesus Christ.


:oldlol:

[poido123]

Dantoni is a fu*king idiot


If there's one coach in the NBA I dislike it's him. If I had the choice between him coaching my team, or the team having no coach, I'd take no coach.

[Quizno]

Kobe fans and Westbrook fans have a mutual respect for each other that other fans just don't understand
two players who dgaf about the stat sheet and just want to win. you can see it in the way they play the game. go hard every night. which is why russ is gonna have at least 2 rings by the time he's retired :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[SpecialQue]

:facepalm

[G-Funk]

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/411553144267886592

Not gonna end well for Kobe...

http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/51374b8a6bb3f74664000014/westbrook-crosses-over-kobe.gif


http://gamereax.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dantonistruggle.gif

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1132619/kobeface.gif


http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4b3c8Z6Fx1qg2qmno1_400.gif

[riseagainst]

Westbrook 7/19 shooting?

:confusedshrug:

[KG215]

Westbrook 7/19 shooting?

:confusedshrug:
Yeah, mostly because he blew about 5 or 6 layups...not because Kobe was forcing him into difficult shot.

But good try.

[TheWalkman]

:applause: All seven of his turnovers led to OKC points, and the Lakers have been outscored by 35pts when he's on the court this season. Stick a fork in him.

[no pun intended]

Yeah, mostly because he blew about 5 or 6 layups...not because Kobe was forcing him into difficult shot.

But good try.
He blew his layups because this image was imprinted in his mind.

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m09y24LtIY1r9gsdzo1_500.jpg

But good try.

[Myth]

:applause: All seven of his turnovers led to OKC points, and the Lakers have been outscored by 35pts when he's on the court this season. Stick a fork in him.

Missed the game, but thanks to NBA.com, I can watch all 7 :rockon:

http://stats.nba.com/playerGameLogs.html?PlayerID=977&pageNo=1&rowsPerPage=25

[oh the horror]

:applause: All seven of his turnovers led to OKC points, and the Lakers have been outscored by 35pts when he's on the court this season. Stick a fork in him.



It's his third game back and his idiot coach asked him to play PG.


This was the concern of many. Kobe needs time.


But with D'Antoni at the helm I expect Kobe to be overused soon enough

[Fawker]

Can they build a chip team in his last 2 years? I feel everyone less athletic is better than the gas left in him now.

[TheCorporation]

Why the F would Mike D'Antoni do this? Kobe is coming back from an injury, and it's only this third game back, and they're playing OKC which is know for their speed and athleticism, AND against one of the best PG in the league...

[Fawker]

It's his third game back and his idiot coach asked him to play PG.


This was the concern of many. Kobe needs time.


But with D'Antoni at the helm I expect Kobe to be overused soon enough
Kobe is old dude.

[Fawker]

Now you realize Steve Nash deserved MVP over Kobe because he was scoring and dishing under D'Antoni. Kobe can not do both. Kobe needs to be extreme at one, not both. That's how insecure and immature he is still.

[AirFederer]

Almost a double double by mamba, in assists and TO's :lol

[Legends66NBA7]

Why the F would Mike D'Antoni do this? Kobe is coming back from an injury, and it's only this third game back, and they're playing OKC which is know for their speed and athleticism, AND against one of the best PG in the league...

They didn't have Nash, Blake, and Farmar. Bryant's the only one who could play PG. Certainly Meeks and Henry weren't going to do it. Besides, Bryant isn't a guy who would say "no" to a challenge, regardless of where is health is currently.

[Myth]

He spent 9/10 of his career not passing and his idiot coach asked him to play PG.


Agreed.

[Myth]

They didn't have Nash, Blake, and Farmar. Bryant's the only one who could play PG. Certainly Meeks and Henry weren't going to do it. Besides, Bryant isn't a guy who would say "no" to a challenge, regardless of where is health is currently.

Kobe doesn't understand the meaning of "no." Just ask that poor girl in Colorado.