After a building up more and more minutes as the preseason has progressed, Kobe Bryant will sit out the Lakers final two preseason games to rest up.
Kobe Bryant is sitting out next two preseason games. The Lakers say they are doing so to rest him
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) October 22, 2014
Bryant has had his two best performances in his last two games, going for 27 points in an overtime loss to the Suns and 26 points against the Jazz in a win.
The last two performances bumped his averages for the preseason up.
Kobe will finish exhibition play with averages of 19 points, 4 assists, 3 rebs, 1.7 steals in 26.7 mins. Also of note: shooting 39.6%.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) October 22, 2014
While some may disagree, this seems like the safe move for the Lakers and Byron Scott, who has stated he’d rest Bryant and keep him on a minutes restriction. While the last two games were his best performances stat wise, they were also the two games were he spent the most minutes on the court, playing 31 minutes against Utah and 33 minutes against Phoenix.
What we do know, however, is that Bryant has returned to form. His jump shot looks as good as ever, his court vision is still there, and he still has the great IQ that has helped him stay competitive for so many years. Tuesday’s contest against Phoenix offered fans a reminder of what clutch Kobe looks like when he buried three straight shots in the final two minutes of regulation to help put the Lakers ahead.
Do you agree with LA’s decision to rest Bryant? Tell us why or why not in the comments below!