Kobe Bryant came in and got up shots on Thursday, more than he did on Wednesday, before Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott decided to send the veteran off to get treatment and prepare for a game on Friday.
"He said he felt really good, legs feel real good, so I didn't want to mess that up," Scott explained why Bryant got a lighter day than his teammates.
The cautious approach may seem a bit dramatic, but the 37-year-old Bryant did play 36 minutes on Sunday night, which set a new season high. After the game, the Lakers left Bryant in LA and flew to Phoenix for a game on Monday. Then, Bryant and the team had a day off on Tuesday, with Wednesday and Thursday serving as shooting days only for no. 24.
The other Lakers practiced 3-on-3 and 5-on-5, but Scott sounded confident that his 20-year veteran would be refreshed and ready to play on Friday night at Staples Center. After all, Bryant lines up against the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center. Nearly a decade earlier, this matchup yielded 81 points for the Mamba.
This time, Bryant expect to get closer to 18 points.
Lou Williams also has history with the Raptors, who opted to let the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year leave town without making an offer. On Thursday, Williams spoke about the adjustment to playing more on the ball as a point guard setting up the offense for the second unit with the Lakers and said that life had been a bit "different" than what he had recently become accustomed to.
Williams also spoke to the adjustment to working with the young kids and compared the situation to the one he dealt with in Philadelphia. Scott complimented his veteran for the leadership role he had assumed on the team.
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"That's the one thing I didn't think we were getting was a leader, and that's exactly what I see him as," Scott said about Williams on Thursday.
Asked about looking forward to going against his former team, Williams again managed the mature response: "I think we need a win."
Notes: Anthony Brown will return to the D-Fenders for Friday's game per Scott.
