Lakers coach Byron Scott 'not going to sacrifice' Kobe Bryant's body

Lakers head coach Byron Scott says he will limit how much Kobe Bryant plays and practices as the 36-year-old returns from a pair of serious injuries.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott says he will limit how much Kobe Bryant plays and practices as the 36-year-old returns from a pair of serious injuries.

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"We know how hard he works, we know how driven he is," Scott told KPCC. "But I think he’s at the point too where he’s so much more mature, and he understands that he only has a few more miles left on that body, you know, maybe two, maybe three years. And I think he’s probably more acceptable to accept the fact that you can’t practice every day. There might be some games where you can’t play this game or that game. But that’s all to be determined."

"I’m not going to sacrifice his body just to try to win a game," Scott added.

Bryant tore his Achilles tendon in April 2013 and missed the start of the 2013-14 season. He returned in December and played six games before fracturing his knee. Bryant missed the rest of the season.

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Scott signed a four-year deal to become the Lakers' head coach in July. He and Bryant were teammates in Los Angeles during the 1996-97 season. 

The Lakers finished last in the Pacific Division last season with a 27-55 record. 

- Dan Gartland