Retired American basketball player and current general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak is positive that Kobe Bryant will make a stellar return with the team this season.
The Lakers lost Bryant for six games last season after being injured.
Kupchak believes that Bryant return is crucial to the team joining the playoffs. He said "I think he'll be very effective. I'm not going to predict what his statistics will be, but ... if we needed 30 or 35 (points) from him, I think he could get it."
Los Angeles finished 27-55 last season and was not able to join the playoffs. This is only the third time in 38 years that the team was not in the playoffs.
But now, Kupchak is confident that he has a team which can bring the Lakers in the playoffs, with the aid of Bryant who is healthy and well. The GM has been monitoring Bryant's recovery and is happy with the results.
He said "'I think he's going to have an excellent year. He's going to play differently than he played 10 years ago. Maybe not so different than what he played two or three years ago, because if you've tracked his progress over the years ... he's gradually turned into a seasoned veteran, knowing when to turn it on."
He added "He goes to certain spots on the court. He doesn't take wild shots. He doesn't gamble as much on defense. I think you'll see a player similar to what you saw two years ago. He'll do as much as he has to do to put us into the best chance to win."
But aside from the injury factor, GM is aware that his star players are not growing young. Bryant is now 36 while Nash is 40. They are now in their 19th season in the NBA and he understands that there are slight limitations. He said that he will support new coach Byron Scott in his decision with regards to the players.
He said "If there is some kind of a mandate to restrict minutes or games, hopefully the players understand it and they work with Byron on it."
He continued "(Bryant) looks really good, says he feels great. No ill effects on either injury. Steve Nash says he feels the best he's felt in a long time. He's been working out, playing every day. ... I think we're a little bit more apprehensive with Steve, naturally, because of what he went through last year and his age."
