The Los Angeles Lakers are going with youth in the upcoming season. In preparation for life without Kobe Bryant, the Lakers have young players preparing to make a big impact this season. However, when that life without the franchise star begins is anyone's guess. Bryant confirmed to the media that he has no idea when retirement will come for him as he is simply focused on getting healthy and developing the young talent set to lead the Lakers this season.
Bryant is entering his 20th season in the NBA, but he is not ready to call it is last. Coming off three straight season-ending injuries, Bryant is not focused on the end and simply looking at the right now. The veteran admitted that he is more excited about this upcoming year than any other season and that is what has his attention, not his end date.
"If it is, it is," Bryant said, via ESPN.com. "If it isn't, I'll be ready for next season. I don't spend too much time thinking about it. I've got enough to think about. I'm excited to be back on the court. I'm excited to be out there with the young players who are starting their careers, starting their journeys. I'm excited to help them out and kind of show them things I've learned."
Youth is the theme this year for the Lakers. Several young players are set for starting roles with the team. Rookie D'Angelo Russell and second-year pro Jordan Clarkson are battling it out to starting point guard position. They struggled in summer league play, but have been working with Steve Nash since then. Julius Randle is returning from a season-ending injury and is essentially a rookie battling for a starting spot. The Lakers have a healthy mix of veterans with Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass and Lou Williams, but the youth movement is going to require patience from everyone.
"It's a big question mark. We have a lot of young guys," Bryant said, via ESPN.com. "It's a good mix, though. We have some veterans, as well, but guys who have never played together before. We've done the work to get to this point. Now it's trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, so I'm not sure."
According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers denied a trade that would have sent Randle to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for DeMarcus Cousins. They have faith in the younger players making a big difference this season. Head coach Byron Scott told the media that he envisioned Russell and Clarkson to form a dynamic duo for years to come. Bryant has every right to express concern with the younger players, but everyone in the front office believes this is a roster ready to compete.
