Kobe Bryant remains nine points away from surpassing Michael Jordan for third place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Photo credit: VINCENT LAFORET/AFP/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS — Well before Kobe Bryant would win five NBA championships, post a career-high 81 points or play through nearly every injury imaginable, Lakers coach Byron Scott quickly learned what made him tick.
As he mentored Bryant during his rookie season 19 years ago, Scott became aware Bryant wanted to becomes the NBA’s best player and win endless championships. Scott also became aware of something else. It became important for Bryant to eclipse Michael Jordan for third place in the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Bryant will likely achieve that goal when the Lakers (7-17) play the Minnesota Timberwolves (5-17) on Sunday at Target Center considering he only needs to score at least nine points.
“Knowing Kobe the way I do, this is something that was on his list a long time ago,” Scott said. “This is one of them as well as trying to pass him in championships rings and things of that nature as well. He’ll take it in stride, believe me. He’ll do it and say it’s no big deal.”
Bryant hasn’t shied away from questions to pertaining to Jordan. But he has downplayed the achievement. Instead, Bryant has paid homage to Jordan and stressed he cares more about adding to his five NBA championships. It seems like a steep prospect both to match or eclipse Jordan’s six championships considering the Lakers’ record and Bryant’s contract ends following the 2015-16 season.
But Bryant proved in the Lakers’ 112-110 overtime victory on Friday over San Antonio that he cared more about winning than surpassing Jordan. He finished with 22 points on 7-of-22 shooting, nine assists and four steals, while taking over point guard duties. Bryant also committed five turnovers, including three late in the fourth quarter, and played 40 minutes in a game Scott conceded he looked “exhausted.”
“I guess it was my fault,” Scott joked about Bryant’s delayed milestone. “It was kind of my fault. But I’m pretty sure he’ll get it tonight.”
Scott reported that Bryant “recovered pretty well” during the team’s off day on Saturday and still plans to devote point guard responsibilities to Bryant.
It’s probably going to be something I’lld o more often,” Scott said. “When he’s at the point, obviously he draws a whole lot of attention. He’s able to get shots and make shots on his own. He’s also able to find teammates for wide open shots.”
That formula has worked during the Lakers’ current two-game winning streak.
In the Lakers’ 98-95 win on Tuesday over Sacramento, Bryant played the final 6:45 at point guard with Ronnie Price, Wesley Johnson, Wayne Ellington and Carlos Boozer. During that stretch, Bryant recorded three assists, threw down a fast-break dunk and dropped a three-point shot. The Lakers’ win over San Antonio seemed dicier. Bryant had three turnovers late in the fourth quarter, miscues that partly contributed to the Lakers playing in extra regulation. Lin then played the final minute of overtime at point guard and set up Nick Young for a game-winning 30-foot shot.
“A lot of that was fatigue. I thought he was exhausted. The one time he came to he bench was the first time I saw him all season where he was huffing,” Scott said. “But I just knew at that time his presence when he is on the floor is still going to be effective.”
Plenty of intrigue awaits on how effective Bryant will become in his record-breaking performance against Minnesota.
“When we left for this trip, we knew it would happen,” Scott said of Bryant’s milestone. “It was just a matter of when. Our main focus is to keep winning games. That’s the main focus.”
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