“Lakers Kobe Bryant is surrounded by the media as the LA Lakers host their annual Media Day in El Segundo, CA. Monday September 29, 2014. (Thomas R. Cordova-Daily Breeze/Press-Telegram)”
Kobe Bryant will love to read this.
Sure, he will likely roll his eyes and seethe at a panel of ESPN media members ranking him 40th overall. If Bryant found his 25th ranking last year “silly” and “laughable,” which adjectives will the Lakers star use to express his disgust for sliding down to the 40th spot? Yet, this only serves as red meat for Bryant, feeding his insatiable appetite for external criticism and doubt to keep his inner drive running at an octane level.
Of course, whether that happens remains to be seen. Bryant played only six games last season because of recurring injuries to his left Achilles tendon and left knee. It’s safe to say Bryant’s low rankings partly reflect the 36-year-old entering his 19th NBA season with such heavy baggage. It also does not help the Lakers finished last season with the season’s worst record in L.A. franchise history and enter the 2014-15 season laced with question marks about the team’s health, defense and overall talent level.
Yet, the Lakers and Bryant have both maintained he can both stay healthy and effective by playing a more deliberate game that focuses on footwork, post moves and fundamentally sound play. Will that catapult Bryant back to the NBA elite? Amid the skepticism, Bryant will certainly try.
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