In 2015-16 Kobe had the highest salary in the league at $25 million.
He put up 17.5/4/3 with the 4th highest usage rate that year playing around 28 MPG. Shooting splits of 36/28/83 for the 7th lowest TS% in the league. Meanwhile, the lakers finished bottom of the West with a 17-65 record.
Looking at advanced metrics: 2nd worst plus minus per game, 4th worst defensive box plus minus, 7th lowest win shares and 2nd lowest WS/48 (both negative) and all of which are the worst among Lakers players that year.
I understand he was injured and it was a farewell tour but purely from a production relative to salary perspective is this the worst season by a player ever or would it still be better than e.g a star being injured all year or refusing to play but making the max.
But that’s quite literally my point. Lakers gave Kobe the 2 year max extension rather than asking him to take a cut and trying to sign free agents when he was already washed from injury because of his fan love/box office appeal and prioritized the farewell tour over rookie development for the same reasons: the culture is about putting on a show through the stars not ensuring consistent team success a la the Spurs. You’re quoting the culture to refute my criticism of the culture.