Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant knows that he’s no longer the spry, young player he once was.
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The Black Mamba is quick to point out that he’s still talented as ever, though admits he can’t do some of the things he did during the early portions of his career. Knowing that, it’s possible Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott may attempt to limit the minutes of Kobe Bryant this season or possibly even miss a game for rest.
“But I think he’s at the point too where he’s so much more mature, and he understands that he only has a few more miles left on that body, you know, maybe two, maybe three years. And I think he’s probably more acceptable to accept the fact that you can’t practice every day,” said Scott. “There might be some games where you can’t play this game or that game. But that’s all to be determined. We have to sit down before training camp and go over some things because I can’t have him going twice a day in training camp.”
Not only is Kobe Bryant playing at 36-years-old, he’s also doing so after playing over two additional 82-game seasons of playoff games. Bryant of course also didn’t play in college so he’s had the rigor’s of a full NBA schedule since he entered the league.
All that said, few are more determined or train harder than Kobe Bryant and keeping him off the floor may prove to be a difficult task for Byron Scott.