While most people think the Los Angeles Lakers should tank and hope for a top-5 draft pick, the team is still thinking playoffs, even in the brutal Western Conference. This season’s roster has netted a franchise worst record and their aging star Kobe Bryant has to take time off to rest for several games. There’s been talks that the Lakers should shut down Kobe Bryant for the season but coach Byron Scott says they’ll only consider it for one reason.
via Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times:
Chances of Kobe shut down this season? Byron: “If we’re nowhere near playoff contention in March…then we might discuss that.”
The Lakers are currently 12-27 sitting in the 14th spot in the Western Conference. They’re 10 games back of the eighth seed and with the Oklahoma City Thunder vying for that spot as well, the Lakers chances are null. Of course Kobe would also have to agree with being shut down and everyone knows he’s a competitor despite the odds.
