At the tender age of 31, Kobe Bryant’s illustrious career may be closer to the end than it is the beginning. His surgically repaired knees have undergone countless procedures and don’t forget all of the nagging injuries he’s currently pushing through.
Unfortunately for KB24, his team’s pathetic and uninspired play for much of this season has caused a neccessary increase in the superstar’s minutes.
It appears Kobe and 22-year-old Andrew Bynum are the only Laker starters to log more minutes this season than last year’s championship squad.
Kobe Bryant is averaging 38.8 minutes a game after averaging only 36.1 last season
Pau Gasol is down slightly to 36.8 minutes a game after averaging 37 in the same department last season.
Ron Artest is playing 34 minutes a game after averaging 35.5 with the Houston Rockets last season.
Derek Fisher is down to 27.4 minutes, 2.4 fewer that last season.
Andrey Bynum is up from 28.9 minutes a game to 30.5 this season.
Laker Goggles:
Phil’s response to Kobe’s increased minutes:
“It shows maybe the need, the desire to have him on the floor, something along the lines that we need him out there to win games.”
Well, if we’re gonna pay Kobe $24 Million a year, might as well run him into the ground …
