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.
The Lakers were stealth tanking and selling a lot of merch, what more do you want…
He literally pointed out these facts if you read to the end. Regardless of the perfectly valid reasons for it happening, Kobe’s last year is a good answer to OP’s question.
He literally did not.
I assumed we’d all agree player production means basketball performance not ticket sales, that’s why max/super max criteria is things like all nba selections not jerseys sold
Tank, throw a year long bash for a player that brought them five championships, and a crap ton of money despite the terrible record.
Very productive season for them on the business side.
And attract Lebron and AD by showing them how superstars get treated in LA
It actually was a record setting year for Lakers revenue at the time. Huge for a family who’s only business is the running the team.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/196721/revenue-of-the-los-angeles-lakers-since-2006/
Here I was thinking they got a cut every time someone takes a greyhound