Why does Kobe often take that hard jump shot instead of driving?

[theflyingdutchman]

Shouldn't he have driven to the basket? Or go for a better shot?
I know he has the best jump/clutch/fallback shot in the league...

But this shot just seemed lazy...

From Russia with Love (including to Kobe).

 

[MCtKeGspreadtheflutt]

he thought Pierce would keep going forward and give him some room to pull-up, but Pierce held his ground and contested that shot well. Refs won't call fouls in that situation, so driving isn't good unless you are sure you can make the layup.