Kobe Bryant is not playing well and everyone knows it. The veteran is trying to come back from three season-ending injuries as he plays out the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. The only thing Bryant has said regarding his future is that if he returns it will be to the Lakers, but head coach Byron Scott is not certain that return is actually coming.
According to the head coach via ESPN.com, Bryant has hinted that retirement is the outcome of this season. There has certainly been plenty of speculation that Bryant is planning on retiring as his contract expires at the end of the year and Scott believes it will end up happening. Scott told the media that he and Bryant had a conversation where the veteran hinted at retirement following his 20th season.
"That's the first time that he hinted to me that this might be his last year. I'm with that with him and we'll see how it plays out," Scott said, via ESPN.com.
For now, Bryant is trying to improve while the Lakers groom their future stars. That includes D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle who have struggled at times this season. Russell has been getting the start at the point guard position, but has found himself benched numerous times late in the game. Scott made it clear that he is not happy with the point guard's defensive play this season and the benchings will continue if Russell does not improve quickly.
"I don't know about sitting him for games," Scott said, via ESPN.com. "But I do know that all these guys have to start progressing a little bit faster. Playing time in this league is a very precious thing, and I don't want our guys to take that for granted. So missing assignments on a continuous basis is not going to go unnoticed. You've got to start developing and doing a better job on [the defensive] end of the floor."
Bryant noted that he has been impressed with what Russell has done so far this season and he believes the benchings are simply to challenge the point guard to improve quickly. For now, Russell will continue to sit if he is not getting the job done as Jordan Clarkson will take his place with Louis Williams getting on the court as well. Scott made it clear that he wants to develop the young players like Russell, Clarkson and Randle are a priority for the team, but winning comes first which is why benching players was the move made when poor play takes over.
"That is the reality," Scott said, via ESPN.com. "But the second part of that goal is you've still got to develop the young core of guys that you have. That's my job, to try to win basketball games and in the meantime try to develop young people. I'm not always thinking about necessarily developing them. I'm always thinking about trying to win. I'm always thinking about trying to win. The development part comes secondary to that, but in practice and everything is where you really work on the development part."