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The Los Angeles Lakers held their last practice before Thanksgiving, and Lakers head coach Byron Scott isn't planning on anything besides heaping more of the same onto Kobe Bryant's plate going forward. Scott "hasn't considered" scaling back the minutes or role that Kobe currently has, reports Baxter Holmes of ESPN.
That means 30.5 minutes (second on the team behind Jordan Clarkson) and 16.4 field-goal attempts (on 31.1 percent shooting) from Kobe will continue happening under Scott's watch. This lines up with expectations being set based on the numerous quotes Byron has doled out in regards to wanting "Kobe to be Kobe" and the "privilege" he has as a 20-year veteran in the league.
This kind of blind-eye treatment following Bryant matching a career-worst shooting night against the Golden State Warriors (1-of-14) is problematic, but change shouldn't be anticipated at this point. Even though Bryant admitted he felt the sting of frustration after his rough outing in Oakland, he also said he needed help from the team to get better shot opportunities. Put it together and Kobe wants better looks, Scott plans on continue to run the team as-is with him on the floor, and there haven't been any signs pointing to that particular strategy becoming a positive for the Lakers.
Kobe did not practice Wednesday, and the Lakers are off until Saturday when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers. Here's more of what Scott had to say about Bryant during practice, via Shahan Ahmed of NBCLA:
Byron asked how much he's counseling Kobe: "I'm trying to let him find it on himself. He's been doing it for a long time..."
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) November 25, 2015
...Byron Scott on Kobe (contd): "..I'm not so much worried about Kobe. I am concerned about his shooting percentage & his shots so far."
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) November 25, 2015
Byron Scott on Kobe: "I don't think it's a matter of him being tired or his legs being tired. I think it's a matter of his timing being off"
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) November 25, 2015