Bryant still requiring rest and is struggling on the court…
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Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott has revealed that if the franchise is not in playoff contention by March, then he will discuss shutting down Kobe Bryant.
Bryant has struggled with general body soreness this season which has forced him to miss several games after initially sitting out the Christmas week schedule.
However, it appears as though the veteran is still bothered by the problem as he has endured a shooting slump recently which has led to questions over whether or not the Lakers would sit him out for the rest of the season.
The 36-year-old has one year remaining on his contract after this season, and it is expected that the Lakers will attempt to make a splash in free agency and in the Draft in order to give their legendary star one last go at competing for a championship.
In the more immediate future though, Scott has suggested that he could call it quits on Bryant’s season in March.
“If we’re nowhere near playoff contention in March…then we might discuss that,” he told reporters.
The Lakers are currently 10 games adrift of the eighth seed and final playoff spot in the West, and it is widely expected that they will not have the ability to compete with the likes of the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder down the stretch.
As a result, it is highly optimistic of Scott to suggest that “if” they are nowhere near contention, then Bryant will sit. Naturally, the Lakers star would have to agree to willingly missing out on playing time as not only would it impact on the fans but also for potential free agents who may see Bryant fading towards the end of his career.
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