One of Lakers coach Phil Jackson’s primary objectives for the 2008-2009 season will be to keep Kobe Bryant on the bench longer than in the past.
Bryant averaged 38.9 minutes, out of a possible 48 minutes per game last season and Jackson said Friday that Bryant playing “38-40 minutes is getting to be a little too much.”
Only nine players averaged more minutes per game last season than Bryant. Denver’s Allen Iverson was the NBA leader at 41.8 minutes per game.
Jackson, however, acknowledged that it is a delicate act in monitoring the minutes of a player the stature of Bryant because a coach does not want to keep that player out of the game too long.
How many minutes should Kobe average per game?
At the most 45 to give others a chance to improve and lessen Kobe’s tendancy for ball hogging. Deviate only in critical sittuations where the games is on the line and other starters are stinking up the place.