You can’t blame 33-year old shooting guard Kobe Bryant for his team’s dismal 18-25 record so far this year.  He has played in 43 games (all starts) for the Lakers so far this year and he is averaging 38.8 minutes, 28.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game.  Kobe is trying his best to elevate the rest of the team, but he can’t win games by himself, no matter how hard he tries at times.  25-year old Jodie Meeks has been giving Kobe a rest whenever he needs one.  Meeks has played in 39 games (0 starts) for the Lakers so far this year and he is averaging 17.7 minutes, 7.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.  He is only shooting 38.6% from the floor and 36.5% from three point range so far this year and that just isn’t going to cut it.