For all the importance the Lakers’ Summer League team will have on developing their youth, there marks one other looming variable that will determine the team’s success or failure in the 2015-16 campaign.
Kobe Bryant.
His resume speaks for itself with his five NBA championships and third-place standing on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. But Bryant also has suffered three season-ending injuries in consecutive seasons, the latest involving a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder that required surgery.
So when Summer League play ends on July 20, Lakers coach Byron Scott said he, Bryant, head athletic trainer Gary Vitti and strength and conditioning coach Tim DiFrancesco will discuss how to handle their star player’s practice regiment and playing time.