Kobe Bryant earned the right in his 20 mostly stellar seasons in the NBA to play analyst.
The Los Angeles Lakers guard is not one to hold back, not after he was 3 for 15 from the field Sunday against the Mavericks in a 103-93 win in which Dallas never trailed.
“I freaking suck,” Bryant said through a clenched jaw beneath his trademark furled, focused brow.
The cumulative impact of multiple leg injuries, including a bruised calf in training camp, are certainly contributing factors Bryant won’t use an excuse. He is six of 29 from 3-point range. Bryant missed time the past two seasons rebuilding strength recovering from a fractured knee and Achilles tear.
This season, he is shooting 31.4 percent.
“I’m the 200th best player in the league right now,” Bryant said Sunday.
Bryant has tried compression tights and a single sleeve over his left knee and discarded them. It’s fair to wonder if at age (37) and injuries are permanent obstacles.
“I know he’s not happy with it,” coach Byron Scott said. “He’s disappointed with the way he’s shooting the ball. He’s playing hard. He’s competing just like he always does. I think it’s a matter of time.”
Scott said teams still must respect Bryant when he’s on the floor. He scored 15 points Sunday despite struggling to find his range.
Bryant said fatigue and the calf injured incurred when he was kicked in the leg by Rajon Rondo on Oct. 13 aren’t suitable explanations for his on-court woes.
“Just playing like (expletive) right now,” Bryant said. “I’m getting the shots I want, just go to make them. At some point, you’ve just got to say to hell with all of that and put the ball in the hole.”