Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott is expecting Kobe Bryant to return stronger next season despite coming off two-straight major injuries over the past two seasons.
In an interview with the LA Times, Scott, who recently accepted a four-year deal to take the coaching job Mike D'Antoni vacated earlier this offseason, said that he sees no need to motivate Bryant.
Bryant missed the 2013 NBA Playoffs after sustaining a torn Achilles tendon then injured his knee just in his sixth game coming off a surgery last season, which forced him to sit out in all but six games in the 2013-14 NBA season.
But while critics are expressing doubts about Bryant, Scott believes that Bryant still has the strong motivation to lead the Lakers back to title contention.
"I don't think Kobe needs anybody to motivate him, because he has a pretty keen sense on what he wants to do and how it wants it done," Scott said. "He has a one-track mind and that's winning championships. I know what it takes to get there, just like he does. It's a pretty easy sell when you're talking to him about winning championships."
However, Scott admitted that turning the tables around will be easier said than done, pointing out that he still needs to figure things out because he is still unfamiliar with most of his players, but he also knows that Bryant could make things easier for him in his maiden season as Lakers coach.
"It's going to be a tough road for us. We have a lot of work to do," Scott said. "I don't know how good we're going to be. I've got a lot of guys that I don't really know. I've got to get to know these guys and see what makes them tick - but I've got one guy that I do know what makes him tick and that's a great piece to have."
The Lakers will look to bounce back from one of their worst finishes in franchise history after ending last season with a measly 27-55 record.
The Lakers tried to make big moves this offseason, but they failed to acquire free agents Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James, while also losing veteran center Pau Gasol to the Chicago Bulls.
In turn, the Lakers ended up adding Jeremy Lin in a trade with the Houston Rockets, while also signing free agents Carlos Boozer and Ed Davis along with rookie forward Julius Randle.
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