Kobe Bryant may use Lakers’ low expectations as extra motivation

Posted on by

Plenty of things motivate Kobe Bryant these days.

Winning a sixth NBA championship both to tie Michael Jordan’s ring count and to increase Bryant’s own collection. Climbing up the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Rehabbing his torn left Achilles tendon as quickly as possible.

But the Lakers, for once, enter this season with low expectations. Departures to key players (Dwight Howard, Metta World Peace, Earl Clark), uncertainty surrounding Bryant’s injury and improved conference opponents surely contributed to a panel of ESPN writers predicting the Lakers will finish 12th in the West Standings.

It appears Bryant’s taking notice.



Bryant’s extremely self motivated, but he’s always looking for an extra edge. That’s why on the night he suffered a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon in mid April, Bryant preemptively predicted plenty of skepticism awaits on whether he can return and still play at an elite level.

“It’s fueling me. I can feel it already,” Bryant said at the time. “People saying players at this stage of their career have an Achilless [injury] and aren’t the same. I can hear it already. It’s [ticking] me off right now.”

It’s safe to say the Lakers’ 12th place prediction has the same affect on Bryant.

RELATED:

Phil Jackson offers advice to rapper Kendrick Lamar

Pau Gasol to launch fundraiser to address childhood obesity

Kobe Bryant dishes on rehab, leadership and Jay-Z

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com