Kobe Bryant has sat out 8 of the last 15 games to rest. Although the Lakers have been competitive for most of those games, they’ve gone 2-6 during that stretch.
The message from management is they are preserving Kobe for the next season…but why?
Byron Scott admitted to over-use of Bryant earlier in the season resulting in poor performances by the Black Mamba. Since then, there have been games where he’s bounced back and played great, but there’s been more times where he’s looked rusty and out of rhythm.
At this point in his career, he still has a lot of game left in the tank, but not much time to use it.
Bryant is aware of his brand and knows fans pay their hard-earned money to see him play.
That said, this a much larger issue than any personal obligation Kobe has to his fans. It’s about doing the right thing moving forward. Since the Lakers organization vehemently denies tanking, then Bryant needs to play every game unless he’s injured.
The Lakers are better with Bryant in the lineup and he’s shown in the past month or so that he’s willing to sacrifice individual scoring to empower his teammates and increase their chances of winning.
The inconsistency of Bryant’s playing time has had a negative effect on the team as well. His teammates don’t know when he’s going to play and since he rarely practices, the chemistry is lacking when he is present.
Bryant trusts Scott to do what’s best for him and the Lakers, but similar to changing the starting lineup after 20 games in, Scott needs to make the adjustment of reducing Bryant’s minutes instead of giving him nights off.
From the fans perspective, regardless of where the Lakers’ record stands at the end of the season, it’s more exciting to watch the Lakers play with Bryant in the lineup. At this point, the team has played enough without him to function, but they sorely miss his leadership and presence in the 4th quarter.
Preserve means to keep something in its original state or in good condition.
Bryant’s game is not going to get better with games off or being shut down. Bryant is smart enough to adjust and play at a high level based on circumstances.
For once in his career he’s trusting his coach and management to do what’s best for him and the Lakers.
But now is the time for the Lakers coaching staff and management to trust him.
Don’t rob the fans and players from witnessing Kobe is his twilight.
Let him go out on his own terms.