Kobe: 61 good, but sometimes bad

Déjà vu all over again for the Lakers, seemingly after Andrew Bynum started finding a groove offensively, averaging over 20 points in the last five games, before Saturday night’s shot to his right knee.

So, where will the Lakers go from here, after the results came back from an MRI exam, which wasn’t very cordial, learning they have lost Bynum for 8 to 12 weeks because of a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee?

In the meantime, they have to recover from losing an inside force, still have yet to prove his worthiness through an entire season. In two seasons, Bynum haven’t showed his full season capabilities because of long-suffering injuries. Last season, he couldn’t show his playoff capabilities, but if everything goes well Bynum is expected back in time for the playoffs.

Perhaps, the biggest problem is returning from a injuring, once again trying to find a groove and get a feel of things. Aside from returning, it will mark the first time Bynum played during the postseason, if he makes it back in time, so it’s hard to predict if he’s able to perform at full strength after sitting out for a number of games.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have to find a solution for recovery. They have to find a solution to remain fixated and they have to adjust playing without their sudden rising star Bynum, who can again be a setback. Last year’s NBA finals wasn’t so friendly to the Lakers, who encountered a huge difference without that physical inside presence of Bynum, making times easier for the likes of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and the rest of Boston, enabling the Celtics to humiliate.

Currently, the Lakers recovery is Kobe Bryant, those days appear to have transcended into action. There have been plenty of moments where there have been unbelievable buzzard-beating three point shots or miraculous dunks or even that game where he posted 81 points.

On Tuesday night, Kobe was just 20 points away from tying his career-high and 21 points away from setting a new record. He’s the closest player to breaking the all-time record for points scored in a game, if not the greatest player to possibly come that close. Seemingly, it’s the Lakers who are granted with players who can shoot, piling up the scoreboards. Back in the day, Wilt Chamberlain, who set the all-time record for the most points scored in a single game, Kobe is the most logical player other than Chamberlain who can match Chamberlain’s 100-point score total.

Likely in this era, it’s uncommon to gaze at a shooting spectacle. But for a player like Kobe anything is characteristic. It wasn’t uncommon gazing at Kobe, who scored a record-setting 61 points at the Madison Square Garden, the world’s greatest venue, before a large crowd who mostly erupted every time Kobe would make a shot, drawing MVP chats and loud cheers from the New York crowd. LeBron James wasn’t even in town.

Absolutely, Kobe’s presence is needed for the Lakers to have fortune. Certainly without him the Lakers are doom. And scoring 61 points was brilliant, but anytime Kobe scores half of the team’s points, his teammates have the tendency of standing around gazing at him take over.

If Kobe has to continue to score more than 40 points a game to decide the outcome, it can become a problem. Before Bynum’s injury, everybody played as a team, and if they hope to win it all this year, they will need contributions from everyone other than just Kobe.

True, it’s fine if the Lakers win, but each game will play a different scenario, so scoring 61 is good at times, while other times it can hurt, such as the playoffs, particularly if they reach the finals, where they will likely play Boston. In fact, on Thursday the Lakers travel to their face their rivals in a hostile environment for a rematch against Boston.

Kobe having a big game against the Celtics probably will not be as smooth. He will probably get double team against Boston. Their defense executes the double team effectively, which will force his teammates to pick up slack, which they should be accustomed to playing as a team. So, it’s always nice to see Lamar Odom score double digit points, Trevor Ariza’s defensive urgency or Sasha Vujacic outside proficiency.

Still, the Lakers won the game, but sometimes players have a tendency of losing confidence or even their swagger once their star player has a productive night, an attitude seen before. In addition, the Lakers are a much-improved team than last year, showing maturity, most importantly playing as a unit. So, they shouldn’t have serious problems, with players slumping or displaying dullness. I expect Kobe to get his teammates involve on Wednesday at Toronto.

If skeptical about the Lakers, don’t be, they are the best team in the West. And I don’t expect another 60 point game, but I expect a total team effort, even more inside presence from Pau Gasol.

Scoring 61 points was jolting, but even more jolting is getting team contributions. Still the Lakers will increase the intensity, and will receive a team effort. All that matters is the win, even if it takes another Kobe 81 point performance or double digit scoring from teammates. They will get it done.