[latimes]Lakers could shut down Kobe Bryant before end of season

tinman · Jan 14, 2015

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-heat-20150114-story.html

Thanks Kobe!

Lakers could shut down Kobe Bryant before end of season

By MIKE BRESNAHAN
The Lakers could shut down Kobe Bryant for rest of the season sometime after the All-Star break
Coach Byron Scott says the team has discussed how to 'preserve' Bryant for the remaining 1.5 years of his deal
Byrant makes only three of 19 shots in a 78-75 loss to the Miami Heat at Staples Center
Don't be surprised if it happens after the All-Star break, maybe in late February or March.

The Lakers haven't yet talked about shutting down Kobe Bryant later this season, but it makes sense.

They're terrible with him. Terrible without him. And there's the unspoken importance of keeping the top-five protected draft pick they owe Phoenix for the Steve Nash trade.

The Lakers are already thinking big picture and have had internal meetings to determine how to "preserve" Bryant over the final 11/2 years of his contract, Coach Byron Scott said Tuesday.

Kobe Bryant had 12 points on three of 19 shooting in a loss to the Miami Heat, 78-75, on Tuesday at Staples Center.

Miami center Hassan Whiteside pulls a rebound away from Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin during the second half. The Lakers lost to the Heat, 78-75, on Tuesday at Staples Center.

Carlos Boozer and Heat forward Danny Granger battle for a loose ball during the second quarter of a game Tuesday against Miami at Staples Center.
Lakers trainer Gary Vitti has also been part of the discussions, along with Bryant, who had another rough outing in the Lakers' 78-75 loss Tuesday against the Miami Heat at Staples Center.

"A lot of it is trying to preserve [Bryant] as much as possible," Scott said. "That's the biggest thing, to be honest with you, is just trying to make sure that he can get through this season healthy — relatively healthy — and get ready for the next season as well."

Bryant, 36, will make $23.5 million this season and $25 million next season. He had only 12 points against the Heat on three-for-19 shooting, including a missed three-point attempt that would have tied the score with 1.9 seconds to play. He had missed six of the last 12 games, including the last two, to rest.

"This is going to be game by game," Scott said. "And I think it's going to be that way until the end of the season or until March or February if we ever decide to say, 'OK, let's just shut it down for the rest of the season.' We haven't got nowhere near that point at this particular time."

If the Lakers decided to save Bryant until next season, there would be no guarantee of a vast improvement in the roster. They have enough money for another maximum-salary player, though they haven't been successful in free agency the last two summers, with Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol taking less money to go elsewhere.

Long before this unendurable season ends, Bryant will surely want to play in his 17th All-Star game on Feb. 15 in New York. It's anybody's guess what happens after that in these admittedly "unchartered waters," Scott said.

The Lakers (12-27) will paddle along with some guidelines for Bryant. He won't play both games in back-to-back situations, of which the Lakers have eight remaining. He would be capped at 32 minutes a game even if there was overtime, Scott said, admitting it could be difficult but adding, "I've got to stick to it."

"He's not 20, guys. He can't play 40 minutes a night like he used to and he can't play every single night," Scott said.

Bryant seemed subdued as he sat in front of his locker after the game Tuesday, his feet planted in a now-familiar ice bucket.

"I'm just trying to work through it and get the body moving. The hard part is sitting down for stretches and trying to get back in. You feel like the Tin Man," he said. "It's not something that I'm whining or complaining about. Just get my body loose, being more active throughout the day, get my legs used to playing again."

Bryant has said there isn't anything specific keeping him on the sidelines — no sharp knee pain, no Achilles' tendon issues. Just general soreness.

Even so, it's not easy for him to sit and watch. Or to come out and not play well.

"It's a no-win situation," he said. "You just end up picking the lesser of two evils."

Bryant was one for 10 entering the fourth quarter and two for nine in the final five minutes.

The first half was unbearably bad, the Lakers scoring 34 points on 25.5% shooting. Bryant was one for nine.

Fans seemed bored — when they weren't booing.

The Lakers made a game of it mainly because Miami (17-21) wasn't exactly incredible. Mario Chalmers had 19 points but Chris Bosh made only four of 17 shots and Luol Deng was four for 13. It didn't help that Dwyane Wade exited in the second quarter because of a strained hamstring.

The Lakers shot 31.5% for the game and also had an injury crop up — a hyperextended left knee for Jordan Hill. He will be re-evaluated Wednesday.

Scott wasn't sure he would watch the game video, but if he did he joked he would have a bottle of vodka nearby. "We just couldn't throw a pea in the ocean," he said. "And that's an understatement."
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Williamson · Jan 14, 2015

I don't really understand why. If they're tanking, they seem to be worse with Bryant on the floor. What's he going to do? Help him in the playoffs sometime before he retires? Not likely.

Literally the only reason for Kobe Bryant to ever suit up again is to keep adding to his scoring total and letting fans get one last look at one of the greats. That's it. He's never going to be in the playoffs again. The Lakers will not be remotely relevant for the rest of his career.

I just don't get it.

shastarocket · Jan 14, 2015

It's about image and perception around the league. If the Lakers are seen as a team willing to respect their most revered active player and work with his limitations, people (players) take notice.

This is especially important now that Dr. Buss is gone.

J Sizzle · Jan 14, 2015

That would be foolish. The Lakers would lose their Top 5 protected pick! Kobe's assault on the all time bricks record is what's keeping the Lakers pick in tow.

mr. 13 in 33 · Jan 14, 2015

Might as well rest him because the teams not going anywhere.

arno_ed · Jan 14, 2015

Why?? Do they actually want to win games?
I really am loving the knicks and lakers this year.

A_3PO · Jan 14, 2015

arno_ed said: ↑

Why?? Do they actually want to win games?
I really am loving the knicks and lakers this year.
Click to expand...

Then you will really love February 1st and March 12th when they play each other on national TV (ESPN & TNT).

Yay!

arno_ed · Jan 14, 2015

A_3PO said: ↑

Then you will really love February 1st and March 12th when they play each other on national TV (ESPN & TNT).

Yay!
Click to expand...

Seriously they are still showing those games??

Why haven't they dropped those games

Roc Paint · Jan 14, 2015

He should stay shut down.

Ziggy · Jan 14, 2015

Lakers could shut down Kobe Bryant before end of season and nobody would care.

*Fixed

Carl Herrera · Jan 14, 2015

Kobe quits on the team again?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ki70bj0IHnk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

hardenisaboss · Jan 14, 2015

So Harden starts at All-star game, good good

tycoonchip · Jan 14, 2015

Didn't he say this season would be epic?

marky :) · Jan 14, 2015

I misread the title as Latinas instead of latimes. Was hoping for a discussion on hot Latinas, was disappoint.

A_3PO · Jan 14, 2015

arno_ed said: ↑

Seriously they are still showing those games??

Why haven't they dropped those games
Click to expand...

There is still time to switch games. Options are limited though.

Charley Barkley went on a rant last week saying he wouldn't show up if TNT showed either the Knicks or Lakers again this season.

Sooner423 · Jan 14, 2015

You feel like the Tin Man," he said.
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Does that mean he just complains about Tracy McGrady all the time?

Junkyard_Dog · Jan 14, 2015

Its like Clutch tweeted. THIS guy is supposed to start the All Star Game? What an f'n joke

Warning-Sign · Jan 14, 2015

tycoonchip said: ↑

Didn't he say this season would be epic?
Click to expand...

epically bad!

ling ling · Jan 14, 2015

tinman said: ↑

Thanks Kobe!
Click to expand...

Linsanity 2.0 about to happen.

tinman · Jan 14, 2015

ling ling said: ↑

Linsanity 2.0 about to happen.
Click to expand...

more like swaggsanity will happen

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