Kobe Bryant Shocked That He's The Voice Of "Ball Movement Reason" For The Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are, unsurprisingly, very bad this year. They’re in the bottom seven in both defensive and offensive rating, Byron Scott doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing, and Kobe Bryant has been comically awful when he’s not taking mandated days off.

Kobe is slowly accepting his role as mentor and teacher, which led to this fantastic quote he gave to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes:

“When I’ve become the voice of ‘ball-movement reason,’ you know you have an issue,” Bryant said. “I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be the one preaching that stuff. That’s crazy.

He added, “I can’t believe I’m saying this s—-. Are you kidding me? Like a kid that grows up and just starts sounding like his parents.”

You know your team has a problem when perhaps the most notorious ballhog of all time is telling you need to pass more. He’s right, of course. The Lakers have thrown the third-fewest assists in the NBA. Kobe himself is using the highest amount of possessions on the team, although his 28.9% usage is among the lowest of his career. Perhaps Byron Scott actually playing his rookie point guard more would help alleviate some of his team’s passing problems?

Photo via AP