“That’s a grind, to try to play all 82”, Scott said Monday after the Lakers practiced without Bryant, who was given the day off. “We’re going to talk again”.
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Kobe hinted last week that this could be his final year in the National Basketball Association. The Lakers lost at Miami 101-88 on Tuesday without Kobe Bryant, the team’s leading scorer (16.5) who was scratched due to a sore back and is likely a game-time decision for the Orlando contest.
Nearly three decades later, a similar message rang through the sports world and it involves two of the greatest shooting guards to ever play the game, Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant.
Bryant is averaging 16.5 points but on 32 percent shooting from the field this season, which, if it held up through the end of the season, would be his worst shooting percentage since entering the league. “I’ve been pretty consistent with that, so I don’t know how much, what else can I say?” expressing his openness to the possibilities that might emerge during this current season. “Whatever happens, happens”, Bryant told Scott before the Sunday game against the NY Knicks.
When asked about his thoughts on having an actual farewell tour, Bryant simply said “I never thought about it. Never”.
There is no point for Kobe to play unless he is 100 percent healthy.
Bryant has yet to formally announce that this will be the final season of his Hall of Fame career, but the former superstar has been treated to cheers on a nightly basis from road fans believing it will be their last chance to see him in person.
“We’re not getting the big scoring from one of the (reserve) guys”, Scott said, “and when you kind of look at those guys, you say that it has to kind of come from Nick and Lou”. Being the second- or even fifth-best player of an era is a great accomplishment.
“It would mean the world to me to be around those guys”, he added.
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On the season, the Los Angeles Lakers average 104.3 points, 42.3 rebounds and 17.8 assists per game. “A physical, gritty, tough defensive minded team and to be able to wear on them in the second half with a few real spirited passionate defensive possessions is what we’re trying to get to”.
