Byron Scott expects Kobe Bryant to play against the Brooklyn Nets
Even if Kobe Bryant returns to play Tuesday night against Brooklyn at Staples Center, this so-called “new” offense the Lakers have incorporated into the Princeton offense will be on display again.
Lakers Coach Byron Scott said after practice Monday that the idea of adding to the offense is to get more ball and body movement, more cuts and fewer isolation plays. The plan, Scott said, is to get everyone involved in the offense.
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“It’s not that new,” Scott said. “It’s one set with a ton of options. That’s all. It’s just like the Princeton offense. It’s one set with a ton of options. It’s not too foreign to a lot of our guys. For the most part, the young guys that we do have, we ran this in the summer.”
Scott made the changes to his offense before Friday night’s game against Memphis at home, but Bryant didn’t play because of a sore right shoulder.
Scott said the two days Bryant had off from practice allowed his 37-year-old star to rest and get rejuvenated.
“I really suspect that he’ll probably play tomorrow and Wednesday because I know it’s his last time in Denver,” Scott said. “I’ll talk to him later on today and see how he’s feeling and we’re just kind of go from there.”
Scott said he’s not worried about Bryant being able to adjust to the new offensive because they have discussed it and because of his high basketball IQ.
“I explained it to him before I even put the set in a few days ago before we had practice,” Scott said. “He was like, ‘Oh, yeah, I’ve got it.’”
Follow Broderick Turner on Twitter @BA_Turner
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