By March, the Los Angeles Lakers had decided there would be no return for the Black Mamba during the 2013-14 campaign.
"Obviously this has been a frustrating and disappointing season, but I appreciate all the support I've received from the Lakers and the fans and look forward to being back and ready for the start of training camp," Bryant said in a statement at the time.
In total, Bryant played in just six games last season.
Keeping him healthy and fresh will be one of new head coach Byron Scott's top priorities. Without Bryant in top form, the Lakers are doomed to repeat recent history and again fade from relevance in a crowded Western Conference.
As the Los Angeles Times' Eric Pincus noted in April, "If age is going to have an effect on Bryant's game, the dip may come in minutes on the floor—30 a night may be a more realistic mark."
That's a far cry from the 38.6 minutes Bryant averaged in 2012-13, when he tallied an impressive 27.3 points and six assists per contest. Pincus appropriately adds, "Persuading Bryant to stay on the bench for 18 minutes may be a difficult job."
All the more difficult if the playoffs remain within reach for a team that missed the postseason for the first time since 2004-05.
Regardless of his playing time, expect Bryant to make a significant impact this season. The almost-36-year-old remains the club's best all-around scorer and playmaker, a still potent weapon now looking to prove himself in the wake of injury and aging, which threaten to derail the twilight of his iconic career.
"I definitely think he has stuff left in his tank," former Lakers head coach Mike Brown told The Herd with Coli...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
