The Los Angeles Lakers understood before the season that they cannot overwork Kobe Bryant, even before the star guard announced he would retire by the end of the season.
Head coach Byron Scott agreed but when the season started, such wasn't the case. Proof of this is the criticism hurled at Scott, including, of course, his preference to let Bryant play as much as he can even if it meant setting aside the development of the young players.
As everyone knows by now, the ploy hasn't reaped dividends. The Lakers are the second-worst team in the National Basketball Association (NBA) right now and are well on course to another dismal season.
Bryant is shooting poorly in the last season of his career and is as fragile as he comes. This month will almost be a year since Bryant saw his previous season cut short due to a torn rotator cuff. But that is not the reason he may be sitting out some of the Lakers' upcoming games.
Bryant has been listed as questionable due to an Achilles strain, an injury that many may tie up with the season-ending one he had two years ago. Although the severity of it was not disclosed, Scott himself believed that it was not that serious, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
Bryant may not be the only one who will miss the Lakers game against the Utah Jazz. Rookie D'Angelo Russell is nursing an ankle sprain as well, although it won't be surprising if his resilience will result in him seeing action for the injury-plagued lineup.
With the Lakers lineup in shambles, the team has recalled Tarik Black and Ryan Kelly from the NBA Development League (D-League). Their addition is not seen much as an impact; the Lakers will need the manpower to be able to get through their stretch of games this January.
As for Bryant, there is no telling when he will be back. Hopefully a couple of games off will help as he tries to finish his last NBA season.
