Looking for their first win of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night at Staples Center.
Following a gutty 39-point performance that nevertheless ended in defeat, Kobe Bryant will look to guide his struggling cohorts to their first victory of the 2014-15 season. Despite the Lakers' record, Bryant has impressed and out-performed most everyone's expectations early in the season.
"I would never bet against him," Lakers' coach Byron Scott said about Bryant after Sunday morning's shootaround. "He's amazing. He has, I will say this, surprised me. He really has. I just shake my head some days watching how hard he continues to work."
Bryant played over 44 minutes and launched 37 shot attempts in the Lakers' loss to the Phoenix Suns, but the 36-year-old's quick return to form has even caught his coach by surprise.
"His legs and everything just seem to be getting stronger. He's getting more explosive. The baseline drive against the Clippers," Scott continued. "He has surprised me, but--I don't know if it makes sense--he hasn't surprised me."
Asked about the 37 shots, Scott said he was not concerned in the least. He said that Bryant's "natural instincts" were to take the pressure off his teammates and shoulder the load. Obviously, Scott said he preferred those shot attempts to be lower and Jeremy Lin, in particular, to take a few more shots.
Bryant, though, was not the point of concern. Scott said the other players needed to learn how to play with the great player and not simply defer when Bryant is on the court.
"All the people that said 'he's done' and that 'he's the 40th best player...' all that does is fuel him," Scott laughed.
With Bryant leading the NBA in scoring with 27.6 points per game, one would have a difficult time denying that the "Black Mamba" is back. On Sunday evening, he will hope to bring his teammates along for their first victory of the season.
Tip-off for the Lakers and Hornets is 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Notes: Byron Scott called Ryan Kelly's involvement on Sunday night "doubtful." Nick Young also remains sidelined. The Charlotte Hornets were previously known as the Charlotte Bobcats. The old Charlotte Hornets franchise moved to New Orleans and is now known as the New Orleans Pelicans.
