Kobe Bryant may have been kept out of the Lakers final preseason games, but head coach Byron Scott believes that the 38-year-old star will be ready by the time the team opens its 2015 NBA campaign against the Timberwolves Thursday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Bryant has been out of action since sustaining a bruised left leg against the Kings on Oct. 13, something that Scott feels is not something that is serious. Though Bryant has not played since, he is confident that the Lakers superstar will be ready to play come opening night.
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Scott says that he has already talked to Bryant about the season opener and that the Lakers star guard responded by saying that he was gearing up for it.
"Good, that's what I'm gearing up for as well,” Scott said. “It'll take a whole lot to keep him out of that game.”
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While many have continued to wonder why Bryant no longer played for the rest of the preseason games, the obvious reason is for precautionary measures. The five-time NBA champion has had an injury-plagued two years and apparently the Lakers are saving Bryant for the more important matter at hand, the NBA regular season.
With Jordan Clarkson doubtful for Opening Night, Bryant is expected to pick up the slack though it remains to be seen how extensive the Black Mamba can hold up.
Clarkson injured his shoulder in the Lakers’ season finale and the MRI results showed that the sophomore guard strained two muscles near his rotator cuff.
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