1-on-1 battle with Kobe: Health vs. obligation
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — With Kobe Bryant continuing to deal with nagging injuries, longtime Lakers trainer Gary Vitti suggested to coach Byron Scott on Tuesday night that they “shut down” the star for one to two weeks during what is his 20th and final NBA season.
Bryant, who plans to retire this summer, has missed four of the Lakers’ last seven games, and he played just 16 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans due to a strained right Achilles.
“[Vitti] would love to shut [Bryant] down,” Scott said after Wednesday’s practice. “But that probably isn’t going to happen. [Bryant] doesn’t want to shut it down.”
Scott was referring to Bryant’s reluctance to sit out that long, especially as fans pay high ticket prices to see the five-time champion make his final appearances at arenas around the country.
On Thursday, Bryant will make his final stop in Oakland, California, when the Lakers play the Golden State Warriors.
“He feels a certain responsibility to play in these arenas, which is admirable of him, but my responsibility is to make sure that he can play this season,” Scott said.
Bryant, who also has been sidelined with back issues and a sore lower left leg this season, will travel with the team to the Bay Area, but Scott said he isn’t sure if he will play. Bryant, who didn’t speak to reporters Wednesday, is officially questionable.
“My biggest concern is I want that man to finish the season standing up on the court and getting the respect he deserves,” Scott said.
The Lakers coach said the next step is to sit down with Bryant, Vitti and Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak to discuss the best possible approach so that Bryant finishes the season healthy.
Scott said all concerned parties need to reach a “happy medium” regarding Bryant’s playing time.
Bryant is averaging 30.4 minutes per game, the most any player has averaged in his 20th NBA season. The next five on the list: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (22.9 minutes per game in his 20th season), Kevin Garnett (20.3 per game), Robert Parish (14.7), Kevin Willis (11.9) and Moses Malone (11.2).
“Obviously he can’t play 30-32 minutes per game,” Scott said.
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