EL SEGUNDO, CALIF -- Sunday's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center could very well be a first round playoff preview. If so, one very important component won't be participating.
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant did not participate in Saturday's shootaround at the team's practice facility in El Segundo, and according to head coach Mike Brown is "most likely to be out" of the lineup for Los Angeles as he continues recovering from tenosynovitis, or inflammation, in his left shin.
"He's getting better," Brown said, "but right now it's definitely not something we're going to rush."
The 16-year veteran has missed the team's last four games, but after a rocky start the Lakers have recovered nicely, winning three straight including a 103-97 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at Staples Center.
Success without Bryant has been helpful, Brown said, but ultimately the focus remains on getting his two-time NBA Finals MVP healthy for the postseason.
"(Winning) doesn't put as much pressure on us to try and get him back, but in the same breath, we've obviously made the playoffs," he said. "So if it were a case where he needed to come back and it had something to do with him not being as healthy going into the playoffs, even if we took it on the chin a couple of times we'd still sit him out."
Averaging 28.1 points a game, Bryant remains the leading scorer in the NBA. In his absence, the Lakers have seen increased production from Metta World Peace, averaging 16.75 points over his last four games, more than doubling his season average. Reserve small forward Matt Barnes, averaging 7.6 points a game, scored 24 in Friday's win. Perhaps most important has been the team's improvement defensively. The Lakers have held their last three opponents under 100 points, the first such streak since a nine game stretch between January 31-February 17.
Brown, who missed Friday's win wouldn't elaborate on his absence. It's a personal family matter," he said, "and I'm going to leave it at that." He is expected to be on the sidelines for Sunday's game. World Peace believes winning Friday without Bryant or Brown available is a positive sign.
"It says a lot about the staff, the organization, the players. We beat a good team (Friday), I think," he said. "Denver's been winning a lot of games. Even when we had adversity yesterday, all our turnovers (23 in total), we still kept our tempo. We still stayed poised and patient. That says a lot about us."
Not surprisingly, Brown took the opportunity to praise his staff, starting with lead assistant John Kuester, who coached the Lakers against Denver.
"I feel like I got four guys on my staff capable of being head coaches next year, with Darvin (Ham) on his way. So whether I'm here or somebody else is here or not, the staff that I have is terrific. Obviously, last night was a great time to show how great our staff is," Brown said. "You take that into account with how mature and intelligent these players are with Kobe's leadership and it makes for an easy transition or smooth sailing whenever you face anything that's a little different than the norm."
Bryant has taken an active role on the sidelines, operating in many ways as an extra assistant for Brown. "He's just so intelligent. He's got such a great feel for the game that whether he's talking to me or talking to somebody else or one of our players, he helps out a lot. The stuff that he says, in my opinion, is highly valuable," Brown said.
Still, Brown didn't seem to think a head coaching gig was in Bryant's near future.
"Usually, when you have a great player like Kobe, where things mentally and physically, although he works his tail, it comes easier to him than others. At times, greatness can't understand why others don't get it as easily as he may. I think that would be his biggest hurdle. If he could deal with that, then he'd have a lot to offer to the coaching world," he said.
Andrew Kamenetzky covers the Lakers for ESPNLosAngeles.com.
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