It was cause for dejection in past Los Angeles Lakers locker rooms, a poor shooting night by Kobe Bryant often leading to a loss. Not so much this season, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Bryant's production is down across the board, but the Lakers are off to a 12-1 start, beating teams by a league-high average of 14.3 points a game.
The Lakers continue to win with ease, even when Bryant has poor shooting nights.
He was five for 17 against New Jersey on Tuesday, but the Lakers won by 27 points. He was eight for 23 against Phoenix, but the Lakers won by 13. He was five for 15 at New Orleans, and the Lakers won by "only" seven. He went eight for 21 against the Clippers, and the Lakers won by 18.
Coach Phil Jackson indicated Bryant would continue to be the obvious focal point of the Lakers' offense, but it was an important development to win when Bryant wasn't hitting.
"We have to have the confidence," Jackson said. "And he has to have the understanding that, 'Hey, if it's not my night, I'll just help other guys go.' "
Source: Los Angeles Times