The conviction in Byron Scott’s words, tone and body language hardly wavered, even if Kobe Bryant remains limited with a bruised lower left leg that has sidelined him for more than a week.
Sure, Scott admitted he “can’t guarantee” Bryant will play in the Lakers’ season opener against Minnesota on Wednesday at Staples Center. But the Lakers’ coach did not change his outlook on his star players’ health.
“Do I think he’ll play? Absolutely,” Scott said after practice at the Lakers’ facility in El Segundo. “I think he’ll play, knowing him like I do.”
But Bryant has plenty of work that he will have to complete before ensuring he will not miss the Lakers’ season opener for the second time in three seasons.