Kobe Bryant: Why Resting Isn’t Working For The Lakers
By Scott Asai
Kobe Bryant is nearing the end of his career, but he still has a lot of basketball left in him. Byron Scott admitted to playing Kobe too many minutes at the beginning of the season and now he’s being extra cautious in order to lengthen Bryant’s career.
The plan is to take it day-by-day and make a decision whether or not to play Kobe on game day based on how he feels. The problem is when Bryant does play he is out of rhythm so even though he’s rested, he’s also rusty.
Most experts believe you must take one of two options:
– Sit Kobe the rest of the season since the Lakers aren’t going anywhere or
– Rest Kobe every other game or back-to-back games in order to make sure he’s fresh to perform
Unless the Lakers decide to shut him down for the season, the results from resting Bryant isn’t working. An alternative option that no one is talking about is: simply reducing his minutes.
Think preseason. There’s no rule that states Kobe must play 30 or more minutes per game.
Why not play him in spurts throughout the game and see how he produces?
The speculation of not knowing whether or not Bryant is playing each game causes anxiety for his teammates, coaches and fans. As much as you can’t predict how Kobe’s body will react, you can respond accordingly with playing time during each game.
Despite popular belief, the Lakers are better with Bryant in the lineup, but what causes a dip in performance is the lack of chemistry with Kobe in practice and games.
In Phil Jackson‘s last tenure as coach of the Lakers there were times Bryant watched practice, but rarely would Phil send him home to rest. How can the Lakers prepare to play with Kobe if they don’t practice with him?
Kobe Bryant should be playing every game, but he doesn’t need to play a lot of minutes. At his age, the downside of resting him is the rust his game acquires while on the shelf.
There is nothing to simulate “game speed” besides playing in a game and you can’t get in “basketball shape” unless you’re on the court with your teammates. It’s unfair to expect Bryant to perform at a high level when he practices and plays in games sporadically.
Recovery is great for the body, but the “on” and “off” switch that Kobe is being asked to control isn’t working. Until the Lakers concede their season is over (most likely not until after the trade deadline), integrating Bryant in the lineup is essential.
Kobe taking games off isn’t working. Shutting him down for the season isn’t an option yet. Therefore the happy medium and compromise is to reduce his game minutes while maintaining consistency in practice by showing up.