Kobe’s Criticism Nothing New

So much of it was left to Kobe Bryant. In the time it took the Lakers to lose seven of eight games, he’d had his moments of disgust, of anger, and a couple of joy. But mostly, frustration.

He rarely was easy on himself or his teammates, and sometimes it was loud, and lately it has been public.

“I don’t think it endears his teammates to him, but they know he drives a hard bargain,” said Coach Phil Jackson, known to drive a bargain or two himself. “That’s typical of what he’s been saying. We’ve got guys who are young and inexperienced and guys who are experienced trying to get into the best playing condition possible. He’s got two different groups of players, so he’s preaching to the choir.

“I’m not totally pleased with it, to be honest with you. But I can’t help but think that it’s going to motivate his players a little bit, or his teammates, to step up and meet the challenge. This is a relationship I’ve had with these players. Ten of us go back a couple years. Eight of us go back three years. They have a relationship. Five of them have a relationship for six, seven years. They know who he is and they know what he’s talking about.”

Rick Fox, with Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal one of three Laker captains, said he understands Bryant’s criticism and disappointment with so many poor games. And while the scolding is uncomfortable in public, it’s rarely the first time the Lakers have heard it.

“If he didn’t do it behind closed doors, it would be questionable,” Fox said. “He’s pretty direct across the board. What he has to be careful about is, as a teammate, taking things into a public arena. The only thing that holds this together, especially now, is that we keep everyone protected.

“We understand it for what it is and don’t take it as a personal attack. It’s a strong criticism of our games more than us personally.”