Mistakes? What Mistakes?

It was one thing when Kobe Bryant was an 18-year-old novelty, another once he actually became part of the rotation, but the focus follows either way. It’s simply that now the microscope is on Bryant’s game, not his potential, and it’s impossible not to notice the contradiction that he is a backup point guard who has far more turnovers than assists.

Yes, the Lakers are real concerned about it. That NBA defenses are not yet user-friendly to Bryant ranks on their list of worries for the star-in-the-making somewhere behind what to serve for dessert at the coronation.

“He’s probably the best ballhandler on the team,” Coach Del Harris said. “He can do as much with the ball as anybody on the team. His turnovers have been a thing of experience, or a lack of experience.

“He is a great passer. He has the ability to make just about any pass--right-handed, left-handed, on the move. And he has great vision. The knack of a point guard is to be looking for other people and yet still recognizing the chances for your own scoring moves when they’re there. That’s the difference between a point guard’s mentality and a scorer’s mentality.”

Bryant has 34 assists against 51 turnovers this season. He has 10 and 12 in the three games since becoming the backup to Nick Van Exel, getting about 10 minutes per outing at the point.