Kobe Lovers

I implore you to remember last night.

Had Kobe made the long three, the sports punditry would be claiming "greatest ever" status for Kobe. Why is it not acknowledged this guy takes ill advised shots all the time? He is the best "bad shot" maker I've ever seen. But still - shots like he took at the end of the game are 25% shots and Kobe makes maybe 35% of them. Yet, everyone cites these ill advised shots for giving Kobe the ball at the end of the game. If the Lakers wanted to win, they'd give it to Gasol who makes 60% of his shots down low. They should run their offense through him and get Kobe to take fewer contested shots and more open shots.

When was the last time Kobe was exceptional in a close playoff game?