Kobe Bryant. AP
There’s no need to tell Kobe Bryant about his struggles to start his 20th season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant told everyone about it on Monday (Manila time) after the Lakers were sent to a 0-3 record following a 103-93 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
“I’m the 200th-best player in the league right now,” Bryant said during the post-game presser as posted on ESPN.com. “I freaking suck.”
Bryant, which played only 41 games combined in the previous two seasons due to injuries, is still searching for his shot after going 3-of-15 from the field for 15 points against the Mavericks.
Through his first three games, the Lakers legend has made only 16 out of his 51 attempts from the field good for only 31% and just 6-of-29 from the 3-point range.
“I just can’t make a shot,” said Bryant.
Bryant didn’t offer any specific answer for his shooting slump and so is his head coach Byron Scott.
“I don’t know,” Scott said. “I know he’s not happy with it. 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.”
Bryant was recently bothered by a lower leg bruise and Scott suggested that the injury may have “set him back.”
But the five-time NBA champion didn’t entirely buy into Scott’s suggestion.
“Maybe. Just playing like (expletive) right now, that’s all,” Bryant said. “I’m getting the shots I want. Just got to make them.”
The 37-year-old Bryant is also not attributing his shooting woes to fatigue, his health or shot selection, as per ESPN.
“At some point you’ve just got to say to hell with all of that and just figure out how to put the ball in the hole,” he said.
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