Los Angeles Lakers practice ended early on Monday after Jordan Hill knocked down a half court shot, per Byron Scott’s promise that practice would end early should someone knock it down.
Kobe Bryant was not around for the half-court shot attempt, as the 36-year-old stayed home to rest Monday after feeling fatigue following the Lakers past couple of games. Last night, Scott said he may consider sitting out Bryant a game or two, but would talk with Bryant about it before locking down any decision.
After Monday’s practice, Scott said he’s yet to make a decision on whether Bryant will play Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors and is more concentrated on figuring out a long-term plan than a short-term one:
He’s in agreement with whatever I want to do with him (Kobe) as far as sitting him down a game or whatever. But, I think not only the next game or next two games, we’ve got to talk about the next 40 games or whatever it may be and come to a conclusion.”
Scott said he does plan to have a more detailed conversation with Kobe today and if Bryant isn’t in agreement with what Scott decides, he may have to force his hand. Scott said Kobe is at a stage in his career where his mind is telling him he can do certain things, that his body is not enabling him to do:
We’re going to try to formulate a plan to make it best suit him, so that when he is on the court, he can go out there and play at full strength, instead of trying to will his way through these games, and that’s what he does, because he’s such a competitor. He tries to will his way through it, no matter how his body feels.”
Figuring out the best plan for Bryant, starts with realizing that he cannot continue to pile up the miles on his body during games. Bryant has been averaging 35.4 minutes per game. Often times, hitting the upper 30-minute mark and even the 40-minute mark.
We’ve just got to come to the realization that he can’t play 38, 39 minutes a game, and there’s probably going to be some games where he shouldn’t play back to back.”
The Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night at Staples Center before hopping on the road for the holidays. On Christmas Day, the Lakers will be in Chicago to face the Bulls, then hop on a plane to Dallas to take on the Mavericks the next day.
[divide]VIDEO: Kobe Bryant Discussing His Fatigue