Lakers’ Byron Scott says Kobe Bryant’s playing time between 30-40 minutes

os Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott, right, talks to Kobe Bryant during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

os Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott, right, talks to Kobe Bryant during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

After only playing in six games amid injuries to his left Achilles tendon and left knee, it appears that Kobe Bryant finally has a positive health report.

“He’s good,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said.

Bryant averaged 19 points and four assists in 26.7 minutes through six exhibition appearances. The good: Bryant increased his aggressiveness each game and resorted to a post-oriented game that seemed consistently effective. The bad: Bryant only shot 38.47 percent from the field.

But Scott feels optimistic considering Bryant’s skillset and after resting for the final two preseason games. Scott sounded expansive on his strategy toward conserving Bryant’s minutes after playing in only six games last season because of injuries to his left Achilles tendon and left knee.

“We got a certain number of mine and we’ll stick to that certain number as much as possible,” Scott said. “I’m not going to sacrifice a game for his health. We felt the number we all came to an agreement with is a number that is obtainable and a number that he can play at a high level. But it is a number that keeps him fresh in March and April.”

The 36-year-old Bryant averaged 26.7 minutes through six preseason games, though he played between 32 and 34 minutes in his past two exhibition appearances. So how many minutes will Bryant play during the regular season?

“Between 30-40,” Scott said.

Will Bryant’s playing time against Houston reflect his regular season average?

“Yeah because it will be between 30-40,” Scott said, chuckling.

That leaves an awful lot of wiggle room for Bryant, who averaged 38 minutes per games the previous two seasons before injuring his left Achilles 18 months ago.

“I can’t say between 30-35 because if I go 35 ½, you guys will start saying, ‘Hey, you said 35!’” Scott said, laughing. “Between 30-40 is a nice margin to have as far as his playing time is concerned.”

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