March 19--Kobe Bryant will not play tonight against Phoenix, a somewhat surprising turnaround from earlier in the day.
Lakers Coach Byron Scott said before noon there was a 75% chance Bryant would play, but that changed to 0% a few hours later.
"I don't know what changed," Scott said. "He felt pretty good this morning and then this afternoon he didn't feel good and so he informed us he wouldn't be able to play tonight."
It's the continuation of a now-obvious trend of Bryant playing in either road games or home games against high-profile teams or players. Home games against crummy teams just don't get Bryant's attention as his 20th and final season winds down.
He has now played 96% of games away from Staples Center since declaring his intent to retire and only 58% of games at the arena.
He has complained of soreness in his right shoulder.
"From my standpoint, I kind of understand it. I know he's still hurting," Scott said. "My thought process when it comes to him, 'I know you're trying to fight through it but you've got to do what's best for you as well.'
"He has to just kind of think about himself more than anything and his future after basketball as well. He doesn't want to do damage to the shoulder so much so that five, 10 years from now he has to go back and get surgery again."
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