Coming into the 2014-15 NBA season, there were a lot of questions about how effective Kobe Bryant could be at his age and coming off two major injuries. Many called for his minutes to be limited similar to that of Tim Duncan or Dirk Nowitzki.
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In the beginning of the season, however, Kobe Bryant averaged more than 35 minutes per game, something head coach Byron Scott admits he was wrong for according to Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times:
Byron said he gave Kobe too many minutes earlier in the season- more minutes than Kobe had actually asked to play – "I was wrong" said Scott
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) January 12, 2015
According to ESPN’s Arash Markazi, Kobe said before the season that he should play around 32 minutes per game:
Before the season Kobe & Byron talked about minutes per game. Kobe was around 32, Byron played him more. Regrets it now.Says Kobe was right.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 12, 2015
It was obviously the wrong move for Scott to play Kobe those extensive minutes and now the Lakers are paying the price. Usually it is the player who is trying to play more minutes than the coach will allow, but this was actually the opposite.
With Byron looking to get Kobe more rest now, it should help the Lakers evaluate some younger guys. Jordan Clarkson has flashed potential and he will continue to get minutes when Kobe rests. Players like Wesley Johnson and Nick Young will also take on increased roles as the Lakers look to see who will be sticking around in the future.
[divide]Lakers Jeremy Lin Talks Tarik Black, Playing Without Kobe Bryant
