Kobe, data says stop blaming your teammates

Rafael Irizarry
2014-12-12

This year, Kobe leads the league in missed shots (by a lot), has an abysmal FG% of 39 and his team plays better when he is on the bench. Yet he This year, Kobe leads the league in missed shots ([by a lot](http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/11/kobe-bryant-lakers-shot-stats)), has an abysmal FG% of 39 and his team plays better [when he is on the bench](http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2292515-how-much-blame-does-kobe-bryant-deserve-for-los-angeles-lakers-pathetic-start). Yet he for the Lakers’ 6-16 record. Below is a plot showing that 2014 is not the first time the Lakers are mediocre during Kobe’s tenure. It shows the percentage points above .500 per season with the Shaq and twin towers eras highlighted. I include the same plot for Lebron as a control.

So stop blaming your teammates!

And here is my hastily written code (don’t judge me!).