Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) walks off the court after the Lakers lost to the Utah Jazz in overtime of an NBA preseason basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015, in Honolulu. The Jazz defeated the Lakers 117-114. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
It appears too early to know how Kobe Bryant will write the chapter of what will become his 20th and perhaps final NBA season. But amid Bryant nursing a bruised lower left leg in the last five days, Lakers coach conceded he may shut his star player down for the rest of preseason play.
“There’s a chance, but I’m not going to put a percentage on it,” Scott said after practice on Sunday at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo. “There’s a chance.”
The Lakers (2-4) already listed Bryant as out for Monday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers (2-2) at Staples Center. Scott hardly sounded worried that Bryant would also miss the Lakers’ preseason finale against Golden State on Thursday at Anaheim’s Honda Center. He remained mindful of taking the long view of Bryant, who has played only 41 games in the last two years amid season-ending injuries to his left Achilles tendon and right shoulder.
“I’d rather get him to 100 percent as close as possible,” Scott said. “These games don’t mean anything right now.”
Bryant, who haas averaged 13 points on 44.6 percent shooting in 18.2 minutes through five exhibition games, has not spoken to reporters since injuring his lower left leg in the Lakers’ preseason loss to Sacramento last Tuesday in Las Vegas. But Scott reported Bryant “feeling better” on Sunday despite his absence marking the third consecutive practice he missed in the past week. Bryant also stayed home during the Lakers’ preseason win over Golden State on Saturday in San Diego.
Amid these recent absences, does Scott have any concerns Bryant will not return in time for the Lakers’ season opener against Minnesota on Oct. 28?
“Nah,” Scott said. “None whatsoever.”
Instead, Scott said Bryant only sounded worried during their conversation on Sunday about something else.
“His only minor concern was getting his running in,” Scott said. “He worked too hard this summer to sit down for a week or two as far as conditioning goes.”
Meanwhile, the Lakers also listed guard Lou Williams as out for Monday’s game against Portland because of a sore groin that also sidelined him in Saturday’s game against Golden State. Scott reported Williams “said he felt much better.” But he sat out of Sunday’s practice that entailed shooting and half-court offensive and defensive drills at half speed.
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