Jerry West said of Lakers Coach Bill Sharman that "he was THEIR PathFinder."
Winning an NBA Record of Consecutive Games at 33 Straight must have been a very nice path to be on in 1971-72. What Path is THE 2014-15 Lakers on? Is Byron Scott their Pathfinder? IS it their veteran shooting guard, Kobe Bryant? Carlos Boozer? Currently, Steve Nash may actually fit that bill a little more considering that two other Laker players have followed him to the sidelines and are out for the season (Julius Randle, Xavier Henry). This is a path that Fans hope and pray ends immediately. Another course that is quite glaring is that the team leader is leading them through his per-game average number-of-attempts that matches HIS jersey, 24.
Can this edition of the Black Mamba shed his skin?
Can Kobe Bryant listen to his own philosophy and words that he spoke on Lakers Media Day when he said that,
"you can't go against nature."
It is absolutely remarkable and almost unbelievable that number 24 has come back from his two recent injuries and is currently leading the league in scoring at 26.7. THIS is on 9.1 makes per contest versus 24 shot attempts per game.
This TEAM needs direction. They have leaders. One of those leaders is, no doubt, one of the best players to have played the game of basketball. Is HIS drive sometimes detrimental to the team? The number of shot attempts and minutes being what they are at a "chronological age 36" and with more miles and wear than what that number represents, Kobe already needs added rest 14 games in. Can this TEAM find the right path? Is Zen and Tranquility only found through the teachings of Phil Jackson?
The young disciple now is the elder statesman and should have the life wisdom and basketball knowledge to help HIS team more than ever before. Can the Black Mamba shed his old ways and become something different than he has? If the pursuit for point totals and records continue to be in the sights of this Kobe Bryant than we may not ever see that next generation Kobe Bryant. Certainly, other players on this team have NOT been shooting Lights OUT, but taking more attempts, especially while cold or in questionable moments, that "LEADS" into a shooting percentage of 38% doesn't necessarily SEEM to be the right answer or path either.
The soldier leaves no man, of their own, behind. The military are disciplined to learn how to self-sacrifice for the betterment of the team and others. You go back for the injured or the weak. NOT pass them by.
For whatever reason, this year's Lakers have shown lack of hustle and effort at times. There is NO excuse for THAT. BUT, do players lose motivation when the path they currently are on seems to be so self-driven? Like any relationship there is always some compromise and this one (Kobe Bryant and Lakers) needs help to get there.
"Before a man studies Zen, to him mountains are mountains and waters are waters; after he gets an insight into the truth of Zen through the instruction of a good master, mountains to him are not mountains and waters are not waters; but after this when he really attains to the abode of rest, mountains are once more mountains and waters are waters." (Essays in Zen Buddhism – First Series 24)