On the second day of the Los Angeles Lakers' training camp in Hawaii, Lakers coach Byron Scott finally had a chance to see his team scrimmage, and Kobe Bryant took park. Bryant played in a position he has filled before, but this was a new role for Bryant: off-ball small forward.
Lakers first practice today in the books! About 25-30 minutes of scrimmaging today according to Byron pic.twitter.com/IBntk3REsD — Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 1, 2015
With second year guard Jordan Clarkson working hard over the summer to improve on his All-Rookie 1st Team season and no. 2 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft D'Angelo Russell starting his career with high hopes, the Lakers appear to be favoring pushing an aging Bryant to the small forward position. Of course, Bryant has played in the role before.
Notably, Bryant went toe-to-toe with one of the greatest small forwards in Scottie Pippen while the latter was playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. But that matchup occurred over a decade ago, and Bryant is not being moved to the position because he is a defensive stopper. At 37 years, the defensive deficiencies conceivably have more to do with the switch than the opposite.
Shifting Bryant to small forward would not seem like a big deal, and it makes sense. In this switch, however, Bryant would potentially be surrounded by three ball handlers if Russell, Clarkson and Julius Randle all secure starting spots. Never has no. 24 had to rely on anyone else to get him the ball, and to be honest, he seemingly always played as a ball-handling guard that made plays or made shots. Bryant demanding control of the ball is partially why he has a reputation for shooting without regard for anyone or anything else.
"I don't have to handle the ball, really, at all, leaves more time to catch and shoot," Bryant said after Wednesday's practice. "Makes my job a lot easier."
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Kobe didn't touch the ball when we saw him scrimmage. Kobe: "I don't think it matters, man. I don't have to handle the ball at all." — Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) October 1, 2015
This is new. Bryant has always been a ball-dominant player. However, at the onset of his 20th training camp, the "Black Mamba" sounds content to allow two promising young point guards the opportunity to bring the ball up the court and make decisions while he gets to his spots.
One wonders how this will all play out in the fourth quarter of a game that counts when Bryant is screaming for the ball and Russell or Clarkson shoots or passes on the opposite side. Will Bryant go back to bringing the ball up and becoming the primary playmaker, as he has done with great success his entire career? Only time will tell.
For the Lakers, though, Bryant buying in, trusting the young players and sharing the responsibilities is a positive sign. If or how long this attitude lasts could tell the story of the Lakers' season, but so far, it appears to be off to a great start.
Notes: Bryant will not take part in the Lakers' second practice on Wednesday. The Lakers will again have two practices on Thursday before dropping down to one practice on Friday. The team will then have two practices on Saturday and open the preseason against the Utah Jazz on Sunday in Honolulu, Hawaii.
