Losing has taken its toll on head coach Byron Scott. The shot caller on the sidelines for the Los Angeles Lakers has decided to mix things up implementing a new offensive set.
Scott tried out the new offensive set against the Memphis Grizzlies last week while Kobe Bryant was nursing his sore right shoulder. Bryant will get his first taste of this new wrinkle in the offense if he’s able to play against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday at the Staples Center.
On Monday, Scott was asked about whether he’s talked to Bryant about the change. Scott has spoken with Kobe about what he’s trying offensively, and although it cuts back isolation plays, the five-time NBA champion has no problem with the change via Janis Carr of the OC Register:
“I explained it to him before I even put the set in a few days ago. I explained it to him even before we had practice,” the Lakers coach said Monday. “He was like, ‘Oh, yeah, I’ve got it.’ I wasn’t surprised. It was no big deal.”
Bryant will be facing a back-to-back situation this week with the Lakers hosting the Nets on Tuesday night followed by a game on the road against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on Wednesday.
Kobe’s status for both games remains up in the air due to the shoulder issue. Although Bryant may ultimately miss one or both games, Scott said he believes the Lakers star will be ready to go.
Bryant’s stance all year long has been to play in as many games as possible during his farewell tour. Wednesday’s game against the Nuggets will be the last in Denver. Including the final game in Colorado, Kobe has seven away left in his career and will continue to try to play in all of them while helping implement Scott’s new offensive set.