Minnesota Timberwolves’ Andrew Wiggins defends against Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)
After having extensive conversations with Kobe Bryant about his recent fatigue and inefficient play, Lakers coach Byron Scott said Bryant will sit out for tonight’s game against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center.
“Just wanted to give him more rest,” Scott said. “He was okay with me making a decision.”
Yet, it appears unclear if Bryant’s playing status for when the Lakers visit the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Day. Or if Bryant will rest in Friday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks to conserve his energy on back-to-back games. Scott said he will handle Bryant’s playing status on a “game-by-game” basis.
“It might be something I have to do periodically along with trying to get the minutes down,” Scott said. This is 19 years for him. That’s an unbelievable career. I don’t care how much the mind is willing. You’re not going to play at 82 games at the level that he’s accustomed to playing. Like I said from day one, it’s all about making sure he plays these last couple of years with him at the level he’s accustomed to playing and then doing that. Sometimes I’ll have to give him days off as well as games off.”
Bryant has averaged 24.6 points per game this season on a career-low 37.2 percent clip in 35.4 minutes. But Bryant’s 8-of-30 shooting clip and nine turnovers in Sunday’s loss to Sacramento prompted Scott to consider sitting his star player. Scott then reported having multiple conversations with Bryant, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and athletic trainer Gary Vitti.
Scott reported Bryant didn’t embrace the idea immediately, but changed his sentiments after Scott explained his thought process for five minutes.
“Then he was more like, ‘Okay coach, whatever you want to do, I’m on board,'” Scott said. “That’s something I really appreciated.”
Lakers reserve Wayne Ellington will start in Bryant’s place against Golden State. Scott also he has told Bryant to rest at his Orange County Residence instead of going to Staples Center to reduce the wear and tear stemmed from traveling. Bryant will then rejoin the Lakers on Wednesday morning when they travel to Chicago.
But how will Scott determine Bryant’s availability moving forward?
“It goes by how he’s playing and how he look, after the game, how he feels and him being honest with me,” Scott said. “That’s how he has always been.”
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