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

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).
 
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.
 
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