ESPN on damage control

[HOoopCityJones]

The Bulls blow out my Lakers and it's not on the main page because it doesn't fit the "Lakers better without Kobe" agenda.

[JohnFreeman]

Got his ranking right though

[Kvnzhangyay]

Lakers ARE better without Kobe though, its just thats not saying much cuz they suck either way

[Mr. Jabbar]

bunch of idiots to quote the almighty mamba. a lot like some of the losers on this forum minus the jobless part

[JebronLames]

Wasn't really a blowout. Bulls just pulled away at the end.

[TaLvsCuaL]

Sad days to be a Kobe stan and Pau hater

[Mr. Jabbar]

Wasn't really a blowout. Bulls just pulled away at the end.

exhibit A

[J Shuttlesworth]

Sad days to be a Kobe stan and Pau hater

[gts]

The Bulls blow out my Lakers and it's not on the main page because it doesn't fit the "Lakers better without Kobe" agenda.

maybe next time give them a few minutes to get the story up before you run your mouth

[Mr. Jabbar]

exhibit B

[HOoopCityJones]

I swear they just put that up. Lmao.

[YouGotServed]

Sad days to be a Kobe stan and Pau hater

[andremiller07]

Can't blame Kobe I'd be scared of Jimmy Butler as well

[I<3NBA]

The Bulls blow out my Lakers and it's not on the main page because it doesn't fit the "Lakers better without Kobe" agenda.

says my Lakers

but happy the team got blown out

[PejaTheSerbSnip]

It's not really an agenda at this point. The on-off stats pretty overwhelmingly show that Kobe has been a net negative this year.

Top 10 of all time still, so don't get your panties in a bunch...but either because of rust or plain ol' age, Kobe has had an atrocious year. Negative win shares. Negative wins produced too, if you wanna go that route. TS% in the 40's. Basically, by stepping onto the court and playing a full game, he is spotting the other team about 6 points. And when you see that the Lakers are thoroughly outplaying their opposition when Kobe is off the floor and getting shallacked when he is on the floor.....something has to give. Is their Kobe-less performance a mirage? Somewhat....you can't expect this team of role players and scrap parts to outscore opponents by such a large rate even when Kobe and his ill-advised shots aren't a factor.

But yes, unless he turns it around and gets a second wind....the Lakers are a better team without him. Its not 2006 anymore. Heck it isn't even 2013. Sad but true.