It's not a significant enough of an absence to warrant any recognition. They have the most envied starting lineup in basketball and it remains fully intact.
They're vital components of the team, you take away 2 of the backup guards, there is no ball handlers left, it tires out the group to just bring the ball up. Look at Kobe's season numbers: 27.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 48% from the field Last month (Since Farmar's injury): 31 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 51% from the field, 2 3s a game Last week (Since Odom and Sasha went down) 29.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.5 ASSISTS, 46% from the field. His involvement has increased with more people going down. He's been dynamite in the recent 4th quarters. Scored double digits in the Indiana game on friday and hit the game winner. Made crucial passes and shut down Dwade for last 7 minutes of game (0 points for Wade) on Sunday night. Had double digit scoring in the 4th against the Rockets including the gamewinner. Helped the team come back from a 11 point deficit late in the 4th against the Spurs, and if it wasn't for a bonehead play by Fisher, we would've won.
And the center for that "envied starting lineup" is averaging 5.7 rebounds a game in the last month and 3.8 rebounds in the last week, go figure.
He's played great, no doubt. I'm not disputing that claim. My premise is that missing 2 bench players does not validate use of the argument "he's carried the team" as a case for Bryant in the MVP discussion. Gasol and Bynum are both still intact and producing. "Carrying the team" is Michael Jordan leading the Bulls to 60 wins the year Scottie Pippen missed half the season with a back injury.
I'm not getting into this MJ/Kobe debate because I don't want to derail the thread. But I'm not changing my claim that Kobe has carried this team recently in big games with all the recent injuries that has hit this team.
As an aside, this reminds me of the Hollinger article posted after the Rockets-Lakers game that peculiarly included the phrase "the equally injury-riddled Lakers."
I'd put Kobe at #1 and LBJ at #2. Did you guys see the last two Lakers Games, and last nights Cavs game? #1Kobe #2Lebron #3Dwight
If he has, I wouldn't say it was because of tonight. The game was in L.A. and the Cavs were missing two starters. Statistically, they had similar performances. LeBron had more points, rebounds and steals. Kobe had more assists, partly because his teammates were hitting shots and also because the Lakers offense, as a whole, was executing better. Neither of them shot very well and both had 5 or 6 turnovers. The difference in this game was supporting casts. The stars basically cancelled each other out.
Kobe is one of the best in the league, no denying that. He may even be the most talented individual player but that doesn't necessarily make you the MVP. If I had to give out the MVP right now, it would go to LeBron, Howard or CP3. LeBron's supporting cast is better this year but still nowhere near the level of the Lakers. Howard is the Magic frontcourt. CP3 is the Hornets. Those 3 players are MORE VALUABLE to their teams, in my opinion. If you take any of them off their respective teams, I think those teams would suffer more than if you took Kobe off the Lakers. I still think CP3 deserved the MVP last season.
If he says he's the MVP he's gonna get criticized, if he's gonna give kudos he's gonna get criticized, do you honestly think the man will say to the itnerview "NO I AM THE MVP NOT LEBRON!" come on now
